Review: For Your Benefit by Patrick Canning

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Synopsis:

Teddy Lint is the kindest private investigator on the planet, committed to seeing the best in everyone he meets. The detective agency he runs out of a Los Angeles strip mall with his brother Ralph has seen a strange case or two before, but never anything like this.

A man claiming to work for the CIA hires the Lints to find a shipping container of radioactive Agent Orange that vanished over fifty years ago. He insists someone is planning on using an army of drones to drench L.A. with the deadly chemicals before the week is out.

The Lint Brothers enter a maze of bizarre suspects, from nefarious ad executives, to anarchistic Boy Scouts, to a toga-clad militia fighting for exclusive rule by women. The propaganda-obsessed society that seems to be running the world is probably worth looking into as well.

The power of empathy collides with the dangers of disinformation as Teddy fights to save the people he loves. Our beloved detective doesn’t give up easily, but any Angelenos with an aversion to death by herbicide might want to dust off that umbrella, just in case . .

Favorite Lines:

“Several times a year, Teddy tries to change Ms. Beauchamp’s job title to Partner and rename the business to Lint, Lint, & Beauchamp Detective Agency. And, several times a year, Ms. Beauchamp refuses, saying the proposed name sounds like an abortion of a law firm no one in their right mind would hire and that she could give a damn about job titles.”

“Nothing more American than a second job, I’ve got three myself.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Teddy and Ralph Lint, adopted twin brothers who run a detective agency. The brothers find themselves wrapped up in a bizarre case involving an individual named Mr. Woodbine who claims that he works for the CIA. The Lints are hired to find a barrel of deadly herbicide that is unaccounted for before it ends up in the wrong hands and is used in disastrous ways. Why would the CIA need to hire a private detective agency you may ask. You’ll just have to read on to find out.

While I have read my fair share of detective stories, Canning puts a unique and quirky twist on the genre by including overly ridiculous characters and situations while utilizing satirical humor throughout. From cannibalistic movie stars to anarchist boy scouts, this book seems to have it all. Canning weaves together multiple plot lines in a unique and entertaining way while still managing to keep true to the detective-mystery genres.

While I found the story to be a bit fast paced, I felt that this only added to the overall excitement and tone of the story. Readers are swept along on an almost unbelievable journey with the Lint brothers and the introduction from one sub-plot to the next seemed to enhance the overall narrative.

Summary:

Overall, I found this to be a delightfully entertaining read and would recommend to anyone who enjoys satire, mysteries, and detective stories. Happy reading!

Check out For Your Benefit here!

 

Review: Post Traumatic Growth by Jesse Hewitt

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

This book is an account of the journey following encounters of trauma and taking steps towards personal growth. I served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 12 years, with 5 years serving as a Close Protection Operator undertaking multiple operations in high-conflict environments – both domestically and overseas. Having completed there missions, I witnessed first-hand the damages of war and having experienced the consequences of combat.

This is a tale of a torment and tribulation but is also the story of reparation and recovery. A story of surviving trauma and overcoming the wounds war inflicted upon my mind. Within this book, you will read about these traumas. Personal crises and living in a state of mind that is unwell will be shared. The approach to conquering my personal mental health struggles was multi-faceted, and details of this journey will be disclosed in order to hopefully empower others to take the first steps in their own recovery. Things such as various treatment styles, inter-personal connections and the accidental introduction to Equine Therapy were all supports to becoming a healthier me.

It is my hope that through sharing the intricacies of what I faced and how I committed to treatment to find meaning, purpose, and strength once again, will help others rediscover their own fortitude, resilience, and resolve as they endeavor into the emotional trenches of recovery and emerge healthier, happier, and having taken their own steps towards Post Traumatic Growth.

Favorite Lines:

“I’m not the man I was before getting hurt, I’m better.”

“Fun Fact: Horses can hear a human heartbeat from 4 feet away and interpret it; they also sense energetic shifts and facial expressions as well as body language and moods.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

As someone who suffers with mental health issues, I am no stranger to books on the topic but they usually fall more in the self-help/advice category. This was my first time reading a book written from the perspective of someone who also suffers with mental health issues where their intent is to tell their story and inspire others to not give up; to let them know that there is always hope no matter how dark it seems to get.

While I don’t usually ready biographical books, I thought this was a really well written and, quite frankly, inspiring book. Hewitt takes us through his life from early childhood, flashbacks to traumatic events that caused/contributed to various mental health issues, and his multiple different therapy style attempts – most interestingly equine therapy – some of which I hadn’t even heard of before. I thought the insights that Hewitt had to share from his personal experiences and observations were not only interesting but also valuable. I gained some new perspectives that I have a feeling will stick with me for quite awhile.

I can appreciate how difficult it is to open yourself up when it comes to mental health related topics and I think Hewitt is incredibly brave for sharing his story with the world. While he doesn’t suffer from the same mental health issues that I do, we have a lot of similar therapy experiences and share some of the same outlooks on mental health as a whole. Hewitt is further along in his journey than I am but I found his story to be incredibly humble and inspiring. It is always nice to know you are not alone in how you feel and that no matter how hard things get, it can always get better.

Summary:

Overall, if you are interested in inspiring, real life stories about overcoming mental health challenges especially as it relates to PTSD, depression, substance abuse disorders, and eating disorders, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Post Traumatic Growth here!

 

Review: The Grave Digger by William Baer

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Synopsis:

Polly Kinnell is a renowned chocolate taster for many of the world’s most famous chocolatiers (Ghirardelli’s, Godiva, Hershey, etc.). When her father dies on the Island of Skye, the distraught Polly travels to Scotland for his funeral where she has several unsettling encounters with a peculiar gravedigger, Ian MacIan.

Ian, like his ancestors, “buries the dead” as a religious vocation, and he seems to be rewarded with certain privileges for his total commitment. Although initially upset by her powerful attraction to Ian, Polly eventually has to make crucial decisions after a terrible car crash leaves Ian in a deadly coma.

How much does Polly really love him? Can she save him?

What sacrifices would she have to make?

Favorite Lines:

“Chocolate was once known as ‘the food of the gods. It makes us happy, reduces stress, and gives us energy. It’s one of the most perfect things on earth. Like snowflakes, roses, diamonds, baseball, and love.”

“God gives us a life of trials.”

“Then be with each other as much as you possibly can. Life’s too short for anything else.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. 

This story follows Polly Kinnell, a chocolate taster from New York that falls for a mysterious Scottish gravedigger. The result is a story full of star-crossed love, lose, and the lengths we would go to to save those that we love. When we first meet Polly, she is living in New York sampling mouth watering chocolates. But when  her father passes away on the Island of Skye, Polly’s life turns upside down and she must travel to Scotland for the funeral. There she meets the handsome gravedigger, Ian Maclan (did I I mention that he is Scottish?). Bad luck continues to touch Polly as Ian is left in a coma after a car crash and Polly struggles with what she is willing to sacrifice for a chance at love with Ian.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this book due to the mysterious synopsis but was pleasantly surprised. At its core, this book is a romance book through and through. Baer sweeps us up in a vivid world full of lively characters and takes us on a journey of loss, grief, redemption, and love. 

I found the description of the landscapes to be so well done that it had me wishing that I was in Scotland right along with Polly. Additionally, I thought that the character writing was crafty and refreshing. Polly wasn’t immediately swept up in Ian and I appreciated that there was some depth to her character in that regard. Baer certainly did his homework thoroughly and translated it beautifully to the page because this book is full of sacred traditions, superstitions, and a lot of chocolate and Gaelic.

From page one, this book had me chuckling and that was a theme that remained throughout. Baer brought a warmth and sense of humor to this book that really shined. However, I will warn you to have a box of tissues next to you because just as Baer was able to evoke joy, he also did a great job at evoking feelings of pain and sadness which may result in other parts likely bringing tears to your eyes.

Summary:

Overall, this was a delicious read that I would recommend to any chocolate fanatics, anyone who wants to read about life-changing love that is worth fighting for, and/or anyone who has a soft spot for Scottish male leads. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Baer in the future! Happy reading! 

Check out The Grave Digger here!

 

Review: Claimed by a Cowboy by Melody Carson

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

I HATE SURPRISES.
Even a surprise that comes with designer heels and killer curves.
What I needed at the end of a long day in the saddle was a cold brew – not a hot tempered reporter who was intent on getting on my last nerve.
Worse, Madison was asking too many questions and getting too close to the truth. Too close to me.

My real identity as heir to the billion dollar Rising Star Ranch was at stake, and I had to keep Madison at arms length.

Until that first unforgettable kiss.

Now, I’m wondering how I can, not only keep Madison at Rising Star Ranch, but also protect her and claim her as my own.

Favorite Lines:

“She was on private property. That was her first crime. The second crime was the outfit. Who the hell wore hells and a skirt that short? A city girl, that’s who.“

“‘What’s your name?’ I persisted. He shook his head. ‘No thanks.’ ‘Clever name.'”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’ve been on a cowboy romance kick lately and this book fit right in. Coming in at 87 pages on my Kindle, this is a short and sweet contemporary romance that somehow manages to take on many of the popular themes/troupes that make me squeal including enemies-to-lovers, cowboy romances, and heroes saving the day all while being full of mystery and suspense. 

This story follows a duel point-of-view between the main characters Madison and Luke. Luke is hiding out as a ranch hand on his own ranch while he is trying to decide if he wants to even keep the ranch that was rightfully bestowed upon him in his father’s will and after his crazy twin brother, Logan, was disinherited. Madison is an investigative reporter from the city that caught wind of a missing heir and thought it would be a great story but the last thing that Luke needs is someone sniffing around to blow his cover. It’s a cowboy romance so of course they fall in love – no spoilers there.

I thought this was a very quick and easy read full of sarcastic and witty humor that had me aggressively exhaling from my nose (you know exactly the type of laugh I am talking about). I actually liked that this was like fast-forwarding a full length romance novel but will warn that if you are looking for a long, drawn out romance story full of angst, you won’t find it in these 87 pages. 

Summary:

Overall, if you like cowboy romances full of enemies-to-lovers troupes, mystery, suspense, a bit of danger, and a cowboy saving the day, then this book could be for you! Happy reading!

Check out Claimed by a Cowboy here!

 

The Gemini Project by Ian Moran

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Jan Ericson spends his days on the campus of the Corpo Academy participating in sports and playing games. The Academy has never formally taught Jan, or any of its 42 students, to read or write. Jan looks forward to moving to New London, where he will live with his father and start his career. That day will be his 18th birthday after a celebration known as the renaissance.

Dr. William Osler works at the Academy and considers himself an amateur philosopher and would-be comedian. He befriends Jan and sees the boy’s keen desire to learn. Quietly in the background, the doctor teaches his student to read. Dr. Osler knows that the 17-year-old boy will die, the same way his older brother died, in less than two weeks. However, addicted to a designer drug, the doctor is constantly high as he tries to fight his own demons.

Tre Ericson is Jan’s father. He sees his son four times a year but feels no love for him. While desperately trying to please his father, Jan discovers a tunnel that runs under the school. The tunnel contains a dark secret, which initiates a chain of events that might save Jan’s life!

The Gemini Project is must-read coming-of-age novel that deals with a dystopian future and the world of neurology. The story of Jan Ericson will take you to unpredictable places in a battle of life and death

Favorite Lines:

“Note, the question was never ‘can’ we live forever, it has always been ‘how’ can we live forever.”

“…so the doctor was selling brains and asked $5,000 for the man’s brain and $100 for the woman’s brain. ‘Wait’, objected the woman. Why is a woman’s brain worth so much less? It’s because the man’s brain was in better condition…because it hadn’t been used.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Set one hundred years or so in the future after a third world war, this dystopian thriller focuses on Jan Ericson, a 17 year old who is preparing for his “renaissance” that will take place when he turns 18. Jan goes to an all boys school that surprisingly doesn’t have any teachers or books and, instead, the boys focus on sports and other physical activities. Jan becomes curious as to his purpose and what happens after this mysterious “renaissance” so he begins to search for answers. As we follow along with Jan, we also read retrospectively from Dr. William Osler who takes us through history throughout the story.

I found this to be a brilliant work of science fiction. Moran does an excellent job at creating a dystopian world that seems entirely too possible and hit a bit too close to home for me but in the best possible way. I thought that the writing was very well done and that the philosophical questions posed throughout the story left me with a lot of food for thought. I could see this being a story that makes it to the big screen similarly to something like Ender’s Game or Uglies.

If I did have to nitpick one thing, it would be that some of the passages seemed to drag. Because of the unique premises that Moran was trying to get across, some longer explanations were necessary but I found that I sometimes got lost in them. This goes back to the idea that I think perhaps this would translate better in a TV show or movie. However, I am here to say that if you find yourself getting a little lost like I did, stick with it because it is well worth it in the end and you won’t be disappointed. On the flip side of this, the scenes were very detailed and well written and I felt like I was in the story right next to the characters.

Summary:

Overall, I found this to be an intriguing and thought provoking science fiction thriller set in a dystopian world and would recommend to anyone interested in sci-fi, dystopian worlds, thrillers, suspense, mystery, and philosophical dilemmas. Happy reading! 

Check out the Gemini Project here!

 

Review: The Hippopotamus Thesaurus: A Hefty Menagerie of Delectable Words, Volume 1 by Samuel Jennings Vinson

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

This feast of storytelling, vocabulary, poetry, and prose allows children ages 6 and up to embark on a fantastic adventure through whimsical contextual definitions of extraordinary words. Unlike other children’s vocabulary books, The Hippopotamus Thesaurus is presented with the implicit trust that children have the ability to not only understand, but thoroughly enjoy complex language and ideas. At 102 pages, with over 100 hand-drawn, watercolor illustrations, this book is a labor of love aligned to one goal: to foster the curiosity and brilliance of young minds.
Volume 1 of The Hippopotamus Thesaurus encourages children to dig into the richness of the English language while being impossibly fun to read, and impossible to explore without learning. Hidden riddles, an in-depth glossary, and loveable watercolor characters are all part of the first installment of The Hippopotamus Thesaurus, ready to be enjoyed down to the last morsel by early readers, parents, and educators alike.
Furthermore, a full glossary at the back of the book provides an opportunity for readers to deepen their understanding by learning the dictionary definitions, classifications and etymologies of the featured words. This additional resource encourages curiosity and fosters a love of language exploration.
With educational application in mind, the author has also provided an accompanying Educator’s Resource with small modules that can be easily woven into any K-12 curriculum.
Embark on an enchanting journey filled with delightful tales that spark the imagination. Let your mind wander through playful words, whimsical tales, and hidden riddles, all waiting to be discovered.
Explore the wonders of language in a most delightful way, where words come to life in the most unexpected manner. Join us in this literary adventure!

Favorite Lines:

Rather than picking favorite lines, I thought it would make more sense to flag some of my favorite words and their corresponding passages. These included Flibbertigibbet (which I didn’t even know was a real word), Dollop, and Paraprosdokian.  

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I received the review request for this book, I wasn’t too sure at first as it came off as more of a children’s book and is not something I would typically review. However, I found my self curious and gave it a shot which led to thorough entertainment and education on several words that I have never heard of before.

This thesaurus is written and illustrated by Vinson and really took me down memory lane with a mixture of Seussical and Carle vibes. This book uses poetry to provide context to complicated and unique words with illustrations to match. There are also riddles and puzzles throughout to keep readers engaged throughout.

I really appreciated the glossary of definitions at the end because even I didn’t know what some of the words meant and while the poetry provided context and was a creative way to illustrate their meanings, I think the definitions added additional value when re-reading each passage.

Bonus points for the cute childhood picture at the end!

Summary:

Overall, it has been a looooooooooong time since I have read a children’s book but I thought this was a very cute and creative way to educate early and middle readers while keeping them engaged with the bonus additions of illustrations, humor, puzzles, and riddles. I would recommend to anyone with a younger child that is interested in expanding their vocabulary in a fun way! Happy reading!

Check out The Hippopotamus Thesaurus: A Hefty Menagerie of Delectable Words, Volume 1 here!

 

Review: Tangled Deception by Darryl Webb

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

Evelyn Pratt, PhD, is living a lie. Haunted by a past she wants to forget, her worst fear becomes her reality when she’s blackmailed and forced to commit crimes that will land her in prison for the rest of her life if she’s caught.

Embroiled in sabotage, theft, espionage, and murder, Dr. Pratt is soon running for her life and running out of time. Hunted by the Army, the police, and people who want the reward money, she must employ both her genius intellect and martial arts skills if she wants to remain free long enough to exact her revenge–and then escape the clutches of those controlling her.

Favorite Lines:

“Wow. Next time you pour on the cologne, gargle with some.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Dr. Evelyn Pratt who is blackmailed into becoming a criminal and quickly finds herself on the run to avoid being hunted down and captured before she can take her revenge on the very individuals who forced her to commit the crimes in the first place.

This is my first book from Webb and I found it to be very enjoyable. Once I picked this book up, I had a hard time putting it down due its fast paced nature that left me on the edge of my seat, not to mention several plot twists that had me needing to read on to find out what happens next. Evelyn is a total bad ass (excuse my language) with admirable wit and the impressive ability to kick some butt when necessary and I found that for most of the book, I was trying to determine what her backstory was that made her the way she is – don’t worry all is explained in the end. 

I think Webb did a very good job at creating a fast paced, captivating story. The way that the scenery was described throughout made me feel like I was in the room with the characters. I could definitely see this book being perfect for a TV show or movie adaption. I also really appreciated the timing at the top of each chapter. It helped me keep track of pace and the countdown just added to the anticipation. If I had to nitpick about one thing, it would be that sometimes it was almost TOO fast paced. I wish that there had been more time during certain scenes but I also understand that part of the point of this story is the rush and on-the-run aspect of it all. 

P.S. to Webb: Thank you for not hurting the dogs!

Summary:

Classified as a technothriller and military thriller on Amazon, I would say this book can be for anyone who enjoys strong female characters, thrillers, and mysteries that are full of action and plot twists. Happy reading!

Check out Tangled Deception here!

 

Review: The Voided Man by Anthony Dean

~ likelystory18 ~ 7 Comments

Synopsis:

There are great deserts in space. Matter is not spread evenly. On average it balances out in all directions, but some regions are not average. For every dense cluster of galaxies in one place, there is a tremendous void somewhere else. There are no galaxies within the voids, no stars, no planets, and no moons. Scientists have theorized that anyone at the center of such an empty space would see only darkness in every direction. Even the brightest objects, they say, would be too far distant to be visible to the naked eye.

I got a chance to test that theory firsthand. I am the most distant exile in human history.

My name is Prisoner Number One. This is my story.

Favorite Lines:

“The thing about purgatory is that it wears on you. About ten years into my exile, my focus shifted from what I had to what I didn’t have, and that sent me into a gradual spiral that touched everything.”

“The far future was weird.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I received the request to review this book, I was intrigued mostly from the fact that the synopsis is so mysterious. I had no clue what to expect other than that this was some sort of science fiction tale and that Prisoner Number One has to be in some sort of void (whatever that could even mean). I was actually very pleasantly surprised.

Prisoner Number One is exiled to the depths of space to spend the rest of eternity with only a chess playing AI and library of books to keep him company.  Somehow this tale manages to spin into a love story between two individuals who spend years apart. I won’t spoil what happens in the story but rest assured, Prisoner Number One doesn’t stay alone in the void forever.

While this story slightly reminded me of the 2016 film Passengers, Dean has crafted a unique sci-fi world that somehow feels both similar to our own reality and vastly different at the same time. As an avid reader and someone who dabbles in writing themselves, I can honestly say that I have not seen nor do I think I could come up with some of the creative concepts that Dean features in this story.

I found the characters to be well written, the plot to be refreshingly unique and well thought out, and Dean’s writing voice to be humorous, warm, and distinct. This book blends romance and sci-fi while posing the question of what it means to be human. As part of a series, I am excited to see where Dean takes us next!

Summary:

Overall, I went into this almost completely blind and was pleasantly surprised with this one. This is a great example of going outside of your comfort zone and managing to find some diamonds in the rough. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of quirky science fiction stories that feature romance and touch on what it means to be human. Happy reading!

Check out The Voided Man here!

 

Review: Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation by Aaron Ryan

~ likelystory18 ~ 3 Comments

Synopsis:

One day, they silently drifted down through our skies. We thought they were angelic messengers. We were wrong.

They arrived by the hundreds of thousands on June 6th, 2026. The aliens silently drifted down from the sky, hovering fifty feet above us for three long, tense months at a geostationary orbit, taking up positions around the world. No one knew why they came…what they wanted…or why they wouldn’t just go away.

Then, the unthinkable happened. They suddenly came to life…and hunted us down. We ended up calling them gorgons – after the mythical creature Medusa – because if we locked eyes with them, it was all over, and they could telepathically paralyze us with just one look. Once immobilized, they could consume us at their leisure, leaving us to feel every excruciating bite. There was no escape, no hiding from their relentless pursuit. Our only defense was to run.

By the end of 2026, eighty-five percent of mankind had been killed off. The alien invasion turned Planet Earth into a ghost town, with the few survivors eking out an existence in the shadows. Andrew Shipley is one such survivor thrust into an extraordinary nightmare of post-apocalyptic proportions. As chaos erupts, hope dwindles for Andrew and his wife and three small children. Will they make it? Or will the gorgons get them too?

Favorite Lines:

“We love you higher than the tallest tree…I love you faster than a hummingbird can flap his wings.”

“Dad, was that the Pope?”

“I bet him ten  bucks you were so old you wouldn’t be able to remember any more dad jokes.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have read and reviewed Volumes I and II of the Dissonance Alien Invasion Saga and was really excited to read this prequel to see how it all began. This story follows Andrew Shipley, the main character we have been reading about in the rest of the series’ father, and details the start of the invasion 16 years prior to the events that we read about in rest of the series. We get to see how the world was before June 6th, 2026 and what kickstarts mankind’s fight for survival in the years to follow.

This book, and the entire series, can be compared to “Alien meets A Quiet Place” and is told in a unique and creative storytelling voice. Ryan does a great job at painting a world that is entirely realistic and full of events that could happen to us at anytime (assuming life exists outside of Earth). This book is the origin story that answers a lot of questions posed in the rest of the sage: What happened in 2026? How did most of mankind get wiped out? How did our protagonist become who we see later in the series? And much more. We get to see Andrew Shipley’s relationship with his family including Cameron (Jet), who we follow along with in the rest of the series . 

This prequel sheds light on quite a lot of this series and brings new meaning to what takes place in the rest of the series. I found myself engrossed in the story and having a lot of “aha” moments throughout. As with the rest of the series, this book explores the ethical dilemmas and moral costs of survival. It illuminates what it is truly like to be a human being and both the relationships and experiences that make us who we are. 

Summary:

Overall, this was arguably my favorite so far in the series perhaps because of the light that it sheds on the events that take place in the rest of the series. I found myself laughing at some parts and with tears in my eyes at others. Ryan does an excellent job at evoking emotion and keeping readers engaged throughout this book. If you are a fan of science fiction, dystopian worlds, aliens, action, adventure, thrills, and reading about what it means to be human, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation here!

 

Monthly Features – July

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Pigs in Paradise by Roger Maxson

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Pigs in Paradise opens on a group of animals on a farm in Israel. Julius is a wise-cracking non-religious parrot. In other words, he is a non-domesticated farm animal. His is the small voice of reason, tinged with humor, and cynicism while the others, domesticated farm animals, are being led to religion by Mel, a mule, and the spiritual leader. Later, Mel becomes Magnificent when he elevates himself to Pope. Priests are celibate and mules are sterile; therefore, a Catholic pope was the obvious choice.

When Blaise, a Jersey cow, gives birth to Lizzy, a “red calf,” two American evangelical ministers arrive. As events unfold, the evangelicals buy the group and have them shipped to America.

Once in America, the animals are transported by tractor-trailers across the country to a “Christian” farm in Kansas, where seven television monitors are tuned to 24/7 church sermons and juxtaposed with scenes from a barn, a real circus. Even though they are animals, they can only take so much before they chase Mel from the barn, and Stanley, Manly Stanley, the black Belgian Stallion, kicks out the TV monitors for a moment of silence, giving peace a chance, however short-lived.

Summary: Overall, if you enjoyed Animal Farm and are a fan of satirical literature especially that which explores religious and political issues in today’s society, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Pigs in Paradise
Purchase here

 

The Gates of Yoffa by J. Brandon Barnes

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: A MISSION UNLIKE ANY OTHER.WHAT THEY FOUND WAS BEYOND BELIEF. John Lewis is a computer scientist recruited for a covert mission in the deepest regions of space.

When he makes a seemingly critical error during a test flight, the operation’s only orbiter crashes on a lush, highly classified planet. This leaves John, his boss Dirk, and exobiologist Ruth stranded, with few supplies and little chance of rescue.

Their best hope for escape is a lost landing craft that detached during their descent. To find it, they must search an unknown world while infiltrating the first extraterrestrial society human beings have ever encountered.

But this isn’t their greatest challenge. It’s something else. Something far more profound. Revealed through the aliens’ storytelling culture is a secret that could destabilize Earth and civilization as we know it.

And that secret is about to be exposed.

Summary: Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this book and am interested to see if Barnes has anything more up his sleeve. If you like sci-fi full of exploration, survival, friendship, and storytelling with a touch of romance and religion, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: The Gates of Yoffa
Purchase here