In Lieu of Flowers Review

The Devil wants Noami’s baby (Peter), and he’s instructed Gunari to deliver the baby to him. Reluctant at first, Gunari agrees for fear of his family’s safety. However, after speaking with his sister, she convinces him to return the child to his mother. Gunari’s thwarted the Devil’s plan. If only. Years later, the Devil is determined to enact his plan by any means necessary. What ensues is unfortunate chaos, violence, and death, leaving only one person to stop this madness from happening, and they do so from beyond the grave. 

Readers and fans of Keith Steinbaum’s literary work get ready for an action-packed, captivating read as he delivers In Lieu of Flowers! This book is as entertaining and suspenseful as his last two novels, The Poe Consequence and You Say Goodbye. You are in for a delightful treat as you meet lively characters and become enthralled by vivid scenes and an extraordinary narrative. 

The book cover and synopsis fascinated me, and once I read the content, I was immediately engrossed in this promising novel. I also appreciate Steinbaum’s religious references and appreciation of the disability community. In Lieu of Flowers is a wonderful addition to his other books. Keith Steinbaum’s In Lieu of Flowers will be available later this month. 

Logistics: A Christmas Story Review

As kids, we believed in certain imaginative things: the tooth fairy, monsters under our beds, and even Santa Claus. And as we get older, the truth behind these tales gets revealed. Some of us even pass these ideologies to our children. The childlike glee one feels opening presents in the morning from under the Christmas tree or the tug of cover over your head as you anxiously await the verdict from your parent assuring you that there are no monsters under your bed.

These memories can have a lasting impact, but what if what you believed in was true? What if the nights you stayed up waiting to see that red Santa suit and white beard joyfully put presents under the tree could happen? This is what Holly Hillman experienced. 

Holly was placed in child services at age two and a half. She grew up not believing in any fantasy-related joy, like Santa Claus. Being rigid and career-driven, Holly didn’t have time for fun or love. She ended her longtime relationship with Will Myers after taking a job as the CEO of Marshall Whiteman Logistics. Holly’s job was her world, and nothing or no one would interfere. That is until the results of a work-related DNA test came in.

Working to close a deal with Ling Chow Group, where Holly’s corporation would oversee this group, part of the requirement was that members of both teams take a DNA test. Holly agreed reluctantly. What transpires after is a whirlwind of information and discovery that not only has Holly learning who her birth parents are, but the significance of that childlike delight one feels, especially during the holidays.  

Readers will enjoy this fantasy folktale filled with love, imagination, and a beautiful father-and-daughter relationship that’ll have you with a permanent smile and is sure to warm your heart in Chris Coppel’s Logistics: A Christmas Story. Lively characters, a charming storyline, and an unforgettable message of love, family, and purpose complete this cheerful, light-hearted novel.

Vivid scenes and laughter-filled moments add to this promising story as the audience goes on a compelling ride where you can’t help but get enthralled. This heart-warming, joyous story will have your heart full. 

Chris Coppel’s Logistics: A Christmas Story is available everywhere books are sold.

An Elf With No Name: The Spires Saga Book One

What does an elf, a revenant, and a magical world filled with demons, vampires, werewolves, Hell Knights, and a council have in common? Answer: enchanting magical realism filled with action, a budding romance, colorful characters, and an overall charming story.  

After an eventful night of playing cards, Damian Spires takes his winnings and heads home. As he makes his way, he stumbles upon a magical female elf in an alley. She looks hurt and unconscious. Unsure of where or how she appeared, Spires takes her back to his place, hoping to find answers to this alluring mystery.  

Readers go inside the mind of author Mortimer Langford with his fantasy novel An Elf With No Name: The Spires Saga. As the story unfolds, readers learn more about the main character, Damian Spires, and understand how and why Aziramin (the female elf) wound up in St. Croix, Wisconsin. Spires discovers that Aziramin got exiled from her hometown of Toven after eating two pieces of fruit from a tree that she was told not to. 

After getting banished, she intended to return home but wound up in St. Croix instead. Rupert Wilson, a magical creature with an axe to grind, felt that shift when Aziramin appeared, and he and his unruly soldiers decided to investigate and were on Spires and Aziramin’s trail. And are stopping at nothing to capture them. The mystical beings that have come for Spires and Aziramin have caused destruction and death, leaving a blazing trail of anguish threatening and harming those Spires cares for most. Unwilling to remain on the sidelines, Spires springs into action, and an all-out war ensues. It is a battle between good and evil. Who will win?

I was initially apprehensive about reading this novel because it’s not my usual go-to genre. However, I am delighted that I took a chance with this book. While the story started slowly, it gained momentum as action, vivid details, and robust characters emerged. Witty dialogue adds to this fantasy-driven plot, sure to have readers anticipating more! An Elf With No Name: The Spires Saga is book one in this promising series. 

The book cover is alluring, and readers who enjoy fantasy and magical reads will appreciate Langford’s life-like characters, charming love story, and action-packed writing as he takes readers along a never-ending journey captivating you till the end! Spires and Aziramin’s story still needs to be finished, so readers get ready for part two! An Elf With No Name: The Spires Saga is available everywhere books are sold. 

What Happens After You Die?

What happens after you die? Honestly, it’s scary to think about. People are trying to stay afloat day by day, and now we’re adding death into the mix. But, IT IS inevitable. Getting one’s affairs in order is essential. I was nervous about reading this book, but given some recent deaths in my family, I decided to purchase this book anyway with the intention that it could answer some of my questions and ease some of my fears. And it did, at least for now. Anxiety is real, and mine tends to show itself quite often. 

What Happens After You Die by Randy Frazee is a clear, informative, God-honoring book that eases the pressure and thoughts of the afterlife. Frazee incorporates personal experience, Bible scriptures, and Q&As after each chapter to help the reader understand the text. The title is jarring (at least for me), but once you read what’s inside, you get a warm, truthful, conversational book with insightful information and scripture to guide you.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ve thought about and had questions regarding death and the afterlife. Some individuals resolve this matter scientifically, others read books, and some resort to other alternatives to ease their burning questions. And I am not saying that Frazee’s book is the answer because it’s not. However, it provides comfort and addresses questions such as, are our loved ones in heaven watching over us, and will we keep our memories and regrets once we’ve passed on?

Some individuals aren’t bothered by death, while others are. As I stated, this book isn’t the all-out answer to your feelings, thoughts, and questions because no book can answer all that (in my opinion). However, this book did provide a bit of comfort and understanding and honored God in a beautifully written way. So, if you are like me and on your journey with God, try adding this book to your reading list. 

Author Randy Frazee’s What Happens After You Die is available everywhere books are sold. 

Law and Dis-Order Review

Law and Dis-Order is a memoir by Michael J. Sharley. I was looking for new books to read and found this one on Facebook. I decided to purchase it. In his memoir, Sharley discusses his life as a lawyer and how he navigates life living with athetoid cerebral palsy (CP). I connected with him because I have CP. I went into this with an open mind because everybody who has a disability isn’t the same. However, I was surprised to learn that he and I had similar beliefs when dealing with dating, careers, and people within this world. The reality is this world isn’t accessible nor accepting of persons with disabilities, and I don’t believe it ever will be. 

Sharley discusses the struggles he often faces as a person with a disability who relies on others for his care. He also talks about the positives, like becoming a lawyer, his cases, and even starting his practice. He mentions the bleak dating scene and some of the asinine situations he’s encountered from people. He goes in-depth about his childhood, his strides to getting his law license, and how he, unfortunately, lost his license, which he believes was a discriminatory act due to the fact he’s disabled. 

Sharley is long-winded, and the book didn’t pique my interest until he began discussing his time as a lawyer. I found him to be repetitive. He would state a situation in one section or chapter and then explain that same situation or statement again. Also, I was not too fond of his view that some of the women he met weren’t intelligent and that he was smarter than them. I don’t find it polite to put other people down, especially given his circumstances. However, what’s promising with this memoir is the opportunity to acknowledge the fact that people with disabilities exist, and we can be productive members of society and have careers, families, love lives, children, etc. 

We shouldn’t have to fade into the background or succumb to the views of non-disabled people or sometimes even people with disabilities (yes, your own people can strike against you) about how we should live our lives. It was refreshing to see someone like Sharley be vulnerable and open about his life and what he’s involved himself with. I do feel Law and Dis-Order is worth the read. It’s a chance for people with disabilities and without to see someone else’s side of things because we are all different. 

If you want to purchase his book, it’s available on Amazon. Life and Dis-Order: a memoir of a lawyer with severe cerebral palsy.  

The Bell In The Fog Review

Lev AC Rosen is back with another titillating read in The Bell In The Fog. Readers reunite with former police detective Evander “Andy” Mills, now a private investigator for Elsie. Andy works cases for Elise to earn his keep and stay at The Ruby. Cases are slim, and money is low, but that changes when someone from Andy’s past visits him. 

James is a part of Andy’s past and has resurfaced, hoping to receive Andy’s help. Though reluctant at first, Andy agrees to help him. James explains that he is getting blackmailed but is unsure by whom and why. Andy travels back down memory lane, working tirelessly to help his old friend. Feelings get rekindled, questions raised, secrets uncovered, and the truth revealed. 

The Bell In The Fog is another promising read just as book one is (Lavender House) in this series. It’s captivating, has excellent storytelling, and the characters are vibrant and exciting, just like in Rosen’s first book! He’s delivered once again with this spell-bounding, vivid-detailed, whodunit novel! I couldn’t put this book down! 

Readers, be ready to dive into another page-turning, edge-of-your-seat read that will have you glued to the last page! If you haven’t already, I suggest picking up your copy of Lavender House. Lev AC Rosen’s The Bell In The Fog is available everywhere books are sold. 

American Scholar Review

American Scholar by Patrick E. Horrigan was different from what I expected. I was captivated by part of the synopsis because the author made it seem that James Fitzgerald (one of the main characters) had this idyllic life of marriage and career, which unfortunately gets upended when he receives a letter from his ex-boyfriend’s sister at one of his book signings. I expected this earth-shattering love triangle between James, his ex, and his current husband ending in an unclear solution. Instead, the story focuses on James’ life during the 80s and the 2010s, with pertinent information surrounding HIV and AIDS. Readers get a complex love story and historical facts. 

The entire book focuses on James’ time with his ex and then provides readers with a bit of insight into his current marriage. I was disappointed. I skipped some pages and lost interest in this book halfway through. I only continued reading because I thought the author would mention the letter and things would heat up, but sadly, they didn’t. As I re-read my review, I can say the author delivered on the love triangle because James was caught between his love for his ex and his current husband, but in the end, it wasn’t reciprocated the way he thought it should’ve been. 

I was expecting a romance-filled thriller with twists and turns, and I didn’t get that. As I stated, looking back over everything, the author delivered what he was supposed to; it was just not how I expected. This book is for the LGBTQ+ community and those who like historical tidbits sprinkled in their reading. I’m here for the mystery, thriller, suspense, erotica, and LGBTQ+ reads if it’s good, but this one is a no for me. 

American Scholar is available everywhere books are sold. 

We Over Me Review

We Over Me: The Counterintuitive Approach to Getting Everything You Want From Your Relationship by Devale and Khadeen Ellis sheds light on a twenty-year relationship where Devale and Khadeen continuously choose to love, respect, and fight for each other despite numerous ebbs and flows. I bought this book because I watched Devale on Tyler Perry’s show Sistas and Zatima (and it doesn’t hurt that he’s fine!) and decided to read their book and see his and his wife’s advice regarding relationships. 

In return, I received a look into how Devale and his wife came to be. I learned about each individually, and they provided their personal opinions/advice on dating, family, marriage, sex, careers, and kids. There was a lot of information to consume; there were moments when they willingly shared embarrassing, funny, and eye-opening stories. I didn’t agree with some of their points of view, but as the saying goes, opinions are like assholes; everyone has one. 

I loved reading how hard Devale and Khadeen love one another, how hard they fight for one another, and how hard they love their family and children. Their drive to service one another is beautiful. I appreciate them letting the readers know and hopefully understand that they are not the perfect couple. They are not #couplegoals. They are, however, two people willing to work for their relationship individually and cohesively to ensure that things can be the best as possible for everyone involved. 

Relationships take work. Marriages take work. They mention throughout the book that if you are not willing to put in the work and be of service to your partner, then being in a relationship, let alone a marriage, is not for you, and that’s okay. All in all, you must do what you feel is best for you. And being of service to someone looks different for everyone. The biggest takeaway I received from We Over Me was the unconditional and undying love that Devale and Khadeen have for each other. Theirs is a twenty-year relationship, and they first started dating at eighteen. Their relationship wasn’t without trials, but they are doing the work because they chose to. They are willing to show up for one another, and it’s a yummy thing to see Black love!

We Over Me: The Counterintuitive Approach to Getting Everything You Want From Your Relationship by Devale and Khadeen Ellis is available everywhere books are sold. 

The Flower From The Garbage Review

The Flower From The Garbage by G. Edward Martin is a skillfully written story about a husband and wife (Joe and Audrey Palmer) and a homeless man (Francis M. Hall) and how they form an irreplaceable bond, impacting their lives tremendously. Joe is a sales representative for an agency in Chicago, Illinois. He has found out that his wife Audrey has just had a miscarriage. Devastated by the news, Joe agrees to go to a strip club with some of his co-workers. He quickly realizes this isn’t his scene and decides to leave, but not before getting into unwanted trouble. After leaving the club, Joe meets Francis M. Hall (Frank). He develops a memorable friendship that will impact them mentally, emotionally, and personally, as Joe learns there’s more to Frank than homelessness. He’s an educated philosopher with a story of love, loss, insight, and a complex but teachable truth. 

I discovered this book from a book reviewing website, The Book Commentary. I was instantly captivated by the title, and then I read the synopsis, and I knew I had to read this one. I’m not one for philosophical fiction; however, Martin wrote this novel in a relatable way. I questioned a lot of things while reading this book. I cried. I laughed. I envisioned myself at certain places he mentioned in the book. Martin stated, “When I sit down to write, I consciously consider that your time is the most valuable thing you have.” I’m glad he considered his readers because no one wants to read a boring book. The Flower From The Garbage is a story within a story. Martin wrote the main plot of Joe, Audrey, and Frank and mini-stories in between. One of the mini-stories I liked was Truth and Evil. 

While dark and graphic, Truth and Evil explores a person’s faith and belief in God and what it takes to find their inner peace, devotion to God, and willingness to get things right despite how many times they may mess up. One of the mini-stories I didn’t prefer was The Safe Society. It’s a dystopian satire about a husband and wife during the future and the situations they endure, and it doesn’t need to be included in the book. Overall, The Flowers From The Garbage is a uniquely crafted novel with engaging characters, a robust plot, and creative imagery. The author drew the images for this book himself!

The Flower From The Garbage is available everywhere books are sold. 

Lavender House Review

After his last drink, ex-cop Evander “Andy” Mills plans to end his life. He feels he has nothing to live for anymore. His secret is out, and his co-workers on the force know he’s gay. It’s the 50s, and attraction to the same sex is frowned upon. He notices a woman’s fascination with him from across the bar, and it’s not long before she takes a seat next to him. Andy puts the glass to his lips and relishes the last few drops of liquid courage. Pearl Lamontaine notices Andy drowning his sorrows in one drink after another. She approaches because she knows what she’s about to offer will help both of their aching souls. Pearl’s wife, Irene, is killed inside their home, and Pearl wants Andy to help her find the killer. Reluctant at first, Andy thinks it over and agrees to take Pearl’s offer. 

Welcome to Lavender House, where you’re free to be yourself, your secrets are safe, everyone is considered family, and a murderer walks among you! This colorful novel has vibrant characters, a robust plot, and vivid details that keep the reader turning the pages! This book is suspenseful and a classic whodunit. Readers will enjoy trying to piece together who killed Irene. You can feel the love, the pain, the understanding, and the respect everyone has for each other. Lavender House is a beautifully written story where you learn that it’s okay to be yourself. 

Lev AC Rosen’s Lavender House is available everywhere books are sold. And stay tuned for part two, The Bell in The Fog, released later this year in October.