Book Title: The Dream Walker
Author: Shannan Sinclair
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
ISBN: 9781468152739

    “Row, row, row your boat,
    Gently down the stream.
    Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
    Life is but a dream.” Author Unknown

Aislen Walkers life was as ordinary as it could possibility be. She was living at home with her mom while working and going to school to become a nurse was her whole life. Not much excitement, but it is how she liked things. It all changes after a dream that was the most vivid of all of Aislen’s dreams she had ever had. So realistic and disturbing, however it was just a dream and it did not play out in real life, or did it? Aislen’s dream has pulled into a realm she knows nothing about. What does her estranged father have to do with these events? How does her last name relate to the abilities she many possess?What really constitutes realness and dreaminess/ video game or reality? There is a fine line between the heroes and villains, so who can Aislen trust? One easy way to find the answers: read the book.

When I first starting reading this book, I actually had to stop after a few chapters simply because it was, I found, a confusing beginning. I returned to the book days later and read it at a slower pace, and I was able to comprehend what was happening better. It is a whirlwind of a story line with little lull time. The author’s humorous and wittiness show through in a pleasing matter to make story be more fluid and believable.

Unlike some readers, I had no misgivings that the book was the first in a sequel. I actually like the idea of having characters that you become familiar with and can follow them through the exciting events of their continuing lives. I look forward to more books from this author, even if she may find another “world” she wishes to share with us.

Book Title: The Spirit Sherpa
Author: Marc Littman
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781470056902

“Every spirit makes its house, and we can give a shrewd guess from the house to the inhabitant."
              ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

A case of road rage has ended the life an self-centered man who is filled with hatred and intolerance, killed by, of all vehicles, an ice cream truck. The accident is not the end though, it is just the beginning of the real journey: the afterlife, as seen by Marc Littman.

The dead man is Manus, a Elvis loving, loves his car more than his family type of person. Will death change him, well if it did there would be no book to show how it didn’t change him one bit. You see he is a stubborn opinionated sort of annoying. Things change when he travels through his own “rabbit hole”, where things are not what they seem. It takes a really vast  imagination to “see” this world. It reminded me of Clive Barker without the gore.

Anyways, Manus must prove himself worthy to continue this trip to the next chapter of his life, by visiting the past lives he has had and the choices he had made during them. Sometimes these flashbacks and forward flashes seem confusing, but they are necessary for him to fully understand the direction Manus must take to find his way. (I actually had to put the book down, because I was like “What did I just read?” And would have to reread the passage.) Love the humor and the aha moments, also the painful realizations that he must accept and learn from. Like in The Wizard of Oz, he is helped along by some unlikely characters that in there old life were quite infamous for different things. Each living in their definition of heaven with a outlook on life that is seemly changed after their deaths. Will Manus’s outlook also change? Or will he remain as he is forever? Read the book and find out.

An interesting look at how our past judgments may influence our future. Karma comes to mind while reading this book, many times. In the end, the book does make you think---What really does happen after we leave here???

 

Book Title: As Above~So Below: A Channeled, Assisted, Unfolding Story
Author: Jeffrey M. Borowski
Publisher: lulu.com
ISBN: 9781105597770
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review

“Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conductive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings--that doctrine believe and cling on to, and take it as your guide.” ~The Buddha

After living in dry and hot Phoenix, Arizona for sometime, Jeff and Brenda find themselves living in Upstate New York. Its an older house than what they are used to, but they love it just the same. Even with the occasional visit from their “ghost” friend who wants to bestow on to them the knowledge and wisdom he has learned and is still learning. Jeff takes a instant liking to this mysterious friend and listens intently to his telling words.

I would describe with book as having a big helping of self-help adages, with a dash kind-of a memoir feeling, with a sprinkle of the supernatural. Although there is no real plot, there is a story that is told. It is filled with gifts of wisdom from a 50+ gentleman, who urges the reader to question everything open minded and not to except things as they. He shows how to take life that is around us in--seasons, weather, people, etc. Also that our experiences do mold us into who we are and who we are to be. I found that the book had a very laid back way of helping someone, maybe, finding his/her way.

I could relate with a lot of the book’s descriptions about the wonderful weather we have in upstate New York, how we have the “best” football team ever until the season starts and how gravy with French fries is a normal main or side dish.

Book Title: Deceptions
Author: Sean Hayden
Publisher: Echelon Press Publishing
ISBN: 9781590808702
Reviewed by Michele Tater for the Couch Tater Review

“I hate the man who is double-mined, kind in words, but a foe in his conduct.” ~Palladas

She’s back...Ashlyn that is. Everyone’s favorite FBI agent, well it should be everyone’s favorite. Her assignment this time is to act as a body guard to a vampire who just happens to be the Governor of California who also happens to be a vampire. In California what can happen, does happen. Protecting someone who seems to have a huge target on his forehead is no easy task on your body or your wardrobe. For Ashlyn it is all in a day work. However strange things are happening to the vampire leaders in the area. It is just a coincidence or is someone out to get rid of them for personal gain? Why does Ashlyn always have to be in the middle of everything? Can she survive again or is this fight just to much for a young vampire/demon to bare? Questions only answered if you read the book!

Finally, we are graced with another book about Ashlyn and her now adventures of vampire sitting. She really is growing into her person in her professional life as well as her personal life. Yes, she develops a “life” which causes her great joys and more troubles. I really like this character, if you haven’t already guessed. She has a sense of humor, that keeps me laughing, along with a streak of either bravery or stubbornness that usually gets her into some major trouble. Never a dull moment with this series. FYI you learn more about Ashlyn’s father, interesting. I can’t say enough about this author--when he puts his stories to print he never disappoints. There I said it, now Mr. Hayden, get back to writing book number three, please.

 

 This is the author, Sean Hayden.

Book Title: My Soul To Keep
Author: Sean Hayden
Publisher: Untold Press
ISBN: 9780615641539
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review

“The soul is not where it lives, but where it loves.” ~H. G. Bohn

Be careful what you wish for. Maybe young Connor Sullivan should have though of that very adage when he is given the chance to have a wish granted. Oh, of course he will argue that he was under a lot of pressure at the time and speaking of time, he did not have a it to make a “better” choice if there was one. He actually thought he was being clever, time will tell. If you had not figured out from the title, the “soul" has something to do with the whole wish situation.So you can only image what his answer was...well not really, if you read the book you can find out. Just to give you a heads up, you will have a hard time not reading the whole book as soon as you can. Translation: don’t plan on doing your taxes, shopping and/or cleaning while trying to read it.

It maybe considered a young adult read, but, this coming from someone way past the young adults stage, it is entertaining. It has laugh out loud (yes lol) humor, sweet love and even some super natural action. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, there is a murder mystery too. See its filled with cool stuff. Who would have thought right? Great characters that I must say, do come “alive” as you read. Being a fan of the author already, I am still pleasantly surprise when I read another one of his creations and find that I enjoyed it.

Book Title: Dead End Deal
Author: Allen Wyler
Publisher: Astor + Blue Editions
ISBN: 9781938231056
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review

“There are horrible people who, instead of solving a problem, tangle it up and make it harder to solve for anyone who wants to deal with it. Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.” ~Friedrich Nietzsche

Who would think that a medical breakthrough could cause so many problems. Jon Ritter just wants to test his new theories of using stem cells to possibly cure Alzheimer’s disease on human subjects. Little does he know that a whole scheme is in the works to stop this from ever happening. Funding is already in jeopardy, even before the murder of his colleague. Desperation causes Dr. Ritter to turn to his nemesis to continue with the human trials which end up becoming a complete disaster. Jon is now considered a murder and is on the run, but not in the United States but in Seoul, Korea and without his passport! Will he make it out of the country before he is permanently a “guest” in a Korea jail? How is going to clear his name with no one to turn to for help? Who is following him? What the heck is going on? You need to pick-up this book and find out if the questions will be answered before it is too late.

Greed. It can be a very ugly word, especially when it is why a seeming wonderful medical cure that can stop the suffering of so many, can not become available. This book looks into the seemingly real world of scientific monopolies. Where lab companies are in it for the money and not for the public. Jon Ritter is a believable character in an almost unbelievable situation. With action packed in every page and a plot line that is easy to follow even with the medical terminology and procedures. I really didn’t think I was going to enjoy the book as much as I did. It is very entertaining and sometimes even humorous. I, however, hope that the events in the book are not something that happens in real life. What a scarey thought if it is....

 Book link: http://astorandblue.com/dead-end-deal/

Book Title: Chasing The Cyclone
Author: peter Thomas Senese
Publisher: Pacifica Twist Inc.
IBSN: 9780975912348
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.  ~Rabindranath Tagore

The life of Paul Franceso was going as well as it could be without having his son by his side. Professionally he was starting a new adventure but little did he know personally his adventure was going to take him to places he never thought he would go. Although Paul and his ex-wife have had their share of battles, he was hoping they were finally going to be over. His son Alex was coming to stay with him for visit and Paul was counting down the days with anticipation. He tries to call Alex, but there is no answer. Paul calls several more times, each time leaving messages in hope someone would call him back. There is no call. Where is his son? What has his mother done now? Please be safe Alex...Now the Hell on Earth begins.

I read this book not really knowing that it was based on a true story. A story lived through by the author himself. No wonder you are able to feel the heartache and anguish this father goes through to get his son back. Traveling from one country to another at a moments notice put his life on overdrive with only one goal in mind: his son. Thank goodness he had the funds and the help of old and new friends. The aide of these new friends were unmeasurable in the ins and outs of international laws and the security of his son. The love and devotion of this father to his son is highly commendable and very rare. His love never wavered. The sad part is how far another parent will do such unbelievable things to hurt the other parent and use their child as a pawn. International abduction is an ugly, vindictive act that should not be allowed in any country and there should be strong laws to protect against it. No one should have to feel the helplessness that this author felt. An added plus is that this book is also information packed, you will learn a lot that you never know was going on in our world and what laws are in play to save it. I highly recommend this strong, heart full story.