Book Review: The Last Straw

The Last Straw: A Tale about Murder, Revenge and Redemption is the second book in the Pigeon Blood Red Trilogy by Ed Duncan.

Paul Elliott, an attorney, offers legal advice to a teen who witnessed a crime, but her father doesn't want her to testify. Who can blame him for wanting to protect his child? Paul also finds himself in the centre of danger, more than expected. Fortunately, he isn't afraid to do what it takes to defend himself, even with a gun.

While searching for the man who abused his girlfriend, Rico Sanders declines a job from crime boss, Howard. It goes to D'Angelo, another contract killer who has a bitter grudge against him. One of D'Angelo plans is to eliminate Paul because of his association to Rico. Although known for his cool attitude in most situations, after discovering which names are on his rival's' hit list, Rico makes a decision that could end his life. Going against Howard's orders can have deadly repercussions.

I liked reading The Last Straw. Rico stands out because he's a hired killer with a conscience, unlike D'Angelo. There were a few touching parts that made me wonder what my reactions would be if placed in them. So I sympathized with specific characters, especially the witness.

The discussions Paul and Rico had with their girlfriends were very interesting ones pertaining to their occupations and how they dealt with their assignments and feelings. Ed Duncan provided enough background history on the main characters who appeared in Murder in Paradise, Book One of the Pigeon Blood Red Trilogy. By all indications, Book One seemed exciting and I'm sure the third book in the trilogy will be just as enjoyable.

My Rating: 4 Stars

The Last Straw by Ed Duncan can be found on Amazon.

The Fook Book: Untraditional Recipes for Sexy People

Once you Fook, you'll be hooked! The Fook Book: Untraditional Recipes for Sexy People is written by The Fooking Queen of innovative eating, Lorna Day. Her inspired recipes are the perfect choices for your intimate dinners and parties. Have a foodgasm dining on Slutty Pasta, Aztec Avocados, Barcelona Buns, Eggplant Bruschetta, Shrimpberry Salad, Sexy Pork, Drunken Lasagna, and You Tarzan, Me Jane.

Bet you won't be able to resist those Naughty Peaches, Russian Creme-A-Licious, and Mermaid Cake while sipping a glass of Rose-Colored Vodka. May I suggest a plate of Mermaid's Hangover Cure after imbibing a few Second Night Stands?

If you love to eat but dislike the complexities of cooking, then you should be Fooking. Fun + cooking = Fooking. These wittily named recipes are accompanied by mouth-watering photos. Lorna Day is a creative Fook who believes good food should be fun and easy to prepare without any hassles. The ingredients are readily available and likely consumed by us regularly. I couldn't believe ramen noodles could be so versatile. Nachos Acapulco and Paradise Salad are so tempting.

The overall presentation of the book is very appealing and I liked the author's amusing comments. Whether you're skilled in the kitchen and just need something different to try or an amateur who yearns to dominate the kitchen, you'll appreciate these simple and easy to prepare meals. The Fook Book: Untraditional Recipes for Sexy People is the stress-free alternative to cooking. The Fook Book by Lorna Day will unleash the Fooking romantic in you!

My Rating: 5 stars

Check it out @ letscook.com

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

Follow me on: Twitter @ MichStan1 Goodreads

Haiku Prompt Challenge # 110: Change & Mind

This is my first-time entering Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Prompt Challenge. I was inspired to be a part of the challenge whenever I read Vashti Q-Vega's prompt posts.

Ronovan Hester @ Ronovan Writes is the host of this challenge that starts every Monday and the deadline ends Sunday. He chooses two words that are to be used in the challenge and anyone can participate. You can click the above link for the contest guidelines if interested in joining the challenge.

CHANGE & MIND

adapt to meet change

seasons quickly come and go

keep an open mind


image courtesy of www.wikimediacommons.org
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Book Review: EKTEK

Book Review:

There is a highly sophisticated activist network located beneath Bedlam Zoo known as (EKTEK (ecology and technology.) An assorted team of animals affectionately called “environmental warriors” control this network. Two of their primary aims are to ensure that all animals learn to co-exist peacefully with one another while defending their rights to live in freedom and not in captivity. Organizations such as PETA work closely with the network via the Internet, unaware that they are not corresponding with other humans.

Unfortunately, EKTEK’s strong organization begins to weaken after serious problems develop. Antenna, a numbat and one of the network’s top leaders becomes frustrated when faced with these issues. Hod, a wallaby with a rebellious streak disregards her instructions while on surveillance duty at the zoo’s Last Chance to Eat Restaurant. He creates a commotion that almost exposes them. Chimera, a flirtatious monkey enjoys batting her long eyelashes and playing innocent when accused of causing trouble. This time, she has gone too far so her mates want her banned from the monkey house.

Humans capture a crocodile named Hardtack and his wives led by devious Shining Teeth  demands EKTEC’s help to rescue him. Shining Teeth decides to take matters into her own claws when EKTEK does not respond as quickly as she wants and lures Hod into her vengeful scheme.

EKTEK is a magnificent story about animals who are far more intelligent and educated than humans believe. An engaging, emotional drama that has its fair share of sadness, amusement, and justice. Visuals of a Palm Cockatoo piloting a wing ship, a frog flying a plane and a space ship that uses beetle juice for fuel are hilarious.

This novel contains numerous intricacies in the plot, making comparisons between humans and animals since the animals emulate humans in almost every way. I am impressed with Victoria Osborne, who is a very talented, imaginative storyteller. Her unforced writing style emits the strong passion she has for nature. I highly recommend reading her entertaining book. It will also make interesting table talk.

Rating:       

Amazon                       Goodreads

About the Author:

Victoria Osborne is a performer, writer, film-maker and editor who resides in Melbourne, Austrailia.I had the pleasure of reading the author's other book and here is the link: Man of Clay.

Victoria Osborne's blogs @ our relationship with nature.com

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Book Review: A Day with Moo

Book Review:

“Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find.”- William Shakespeare

A Day with Moo: A Best Friends Book a cute children’s story from The Adventures of Midge and Moo Series by Kerry McQuaide, who is also the illustrator.

Midge and Moo are best friends who are inseparable. They even came home together two days after Midge was born. The friends love to play and Moo always becomes  the patient under “Doctor Midge’s” care. There are times though that Moo does things to annoy Midge. Tracking dirt onto the floor is one of them because Mommy always gets upset and make her take a bath. Naughty Moo has to take a bath as well, so Midge feels less moody knowing she is not the only one Mommy saw.

A Day with Moo: A Best Friend Book by Kerry McQuaide will delight small children age 5 and under. This short story makes an amusing read. It will appeal to young ones who usually have their special toys like Moo the cow that sometimes get them into trouble too.

Kerry McQuaide’s primary aim is to promote love and friendship through memorable stories that will bring joy to children. I like the lovely illustrations that the author created and the gift offer she included. A Day with Moo is free to download on IBooks, Kobo, and Amazon.The Adventures of Midge and Moo Series will become a favourite collection for young readers.

Here are other books from The Adventures of Midge and Moo Series

Letter to Santa * Moo Knows Numbers *  Moo is Missing *  Lost in the Garden

About the Author and Illustrator, Kerry McQuaid:

I grew up with parents and sisters who believed snuggling and laughing were a part of reading picture books. That probably explains my love and enthusiasm for writing and illustrating stories for kids.

Stories are fun, but it’s more than that…each book a child reads is a

doorway into understanding more about herself/himself and more about the world

she/he lives in.

I want to create those doorways—to laughter, to learning, to imagined

worlds, and most importantly… to connecting with each other.

To connect with me, see stories and drawings in progress, plus receive free

books and activities, visit my website www.kerrymcquaide.com.

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                         Rating:                                                 

Amazon                  Goodreads

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Book Review: Impersonator

Book Review:

Peter R. Stone is the author of Impersonator from the post-apocalyptic trilogy – Forager Impersonator. 

The year is 2021 A.D. Chelsea and her twin brother Brandon Thomas live with their family in Newhome, a town that enforces archaic laws and severely punishes its residents for not conforming to them. The siblings dream of escaping their regimented hometown, but they know that it is impossible because the intimidating Custodians constantly monitors everyone.

When Brandon suddenly disappears, Chelsea disguises herself  to become her brother's replacement at his job site. Women are forbidden to work or dress like males, but Chelsea needs the money to support her mother and younger sister. While working with Brandon’s unscrupulous co-workers, she begins to suspect the reason for his mysterious disappearance. Chelsea’s sleuthing is hampered when local bullies rob and beat her up, believing she is Brandon, whom they have targeted for a reason.

Impersonator is from the Forager Impersonator  post-apocalyptic trilogy that I liked a lot, and was impressed with its catchy beginning. This is a thought-provoking story from Peter R. Stone who displays his creative side with a fluid writing style. I would rebel if I had to live such a restricted lifestyle like the residents of Newhome. Chelsea, who narrates the story, has a very courageous attitude and a compassionate side.  A few other characters who were also noteworthy livened the intriguing plot as well. Peter R. Stone has written a wonderful book, and I look forward to reading more from his Forager Impersonator trilogy.

Disclaimer*** I received Impersonator in exchange for a fair review. ***

Rating:                    

Amazon                       Goodreads

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Book Review Tour: Framed and Burning

I am participating in the Framed and Burning blog tour which ends today and hope you get the chance to read the book.

Book Review:

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!" - Sir Walter Scott

Framed and Burning from the Dreamslippers Mystery Series by Lisa Brurnette definitely has a large web filled with deception. Famous artist Mick Travers comes under suspicion when his studio is set on fire, killing his assistant, Donnie. Mick's sister, Grace and niece, Cat, reaches out to help prove his innocence by using their inherited dreamslipping skills. A dreamslipper has the ability to possess other human bodies to see what their dreams entails.

Cat becomes wary of Mick after she enters his dream, but it also opens old wounds she would rather forget. There are many rivals in the art world who want to see Mick's downfall, but what are their reasons for hating him? The case brings Mick and Grace closer as they unite to dig into the past that is somehow connected to his uncertain future. Unfortunately, dreamslipping into another's dream can bring more pain and bewilderment than clues, which are not readily forthcoming.

Framed and Burning is the sequel to Cat in the Flock from the Dreamslippers Mystery Series. I liked the story and was absorbed in its intense, steady-paced mystery. There were so many twists so it was difficult to guess who the actual culprit behind the crime was, but I tried. Mick was such a complex man who made it difficult for anyone to get close to him, but I still liked him.  

Lisa Brunette writes boldly and expresses exactly what she is thinking. 
Her extremely detailed writing format emitted clear visuals, and the characters appeared comfortable in their roles with unforced emotions and dialogue. It was interesting to see how the dreamslippers worked as each one had a different method of invading and analysing dreams. Framed and Burning is a book I recommend reading.

*** Goodreads ***             *** Amazon ***

Meet the Author:

Lisa Brurnette is the author of the Dreamslippers Mystery Series. Book One, Cat in the Flock is an Indie BRAG honoree title that has been praised by Kirkus Reviews, Mid West Book Review, Readers Lane and others. She is a career writer/editor whose work has appeared in daily newspapers and magazines, including the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Woman, and Poets and Writers. 

Lisa Brurnette has interviewed a Pulitzer Prize author, a sex expert, homeless women, and the designer of the batmobile, among others.  She is a member of Mystery Writers of America and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, and has received many honors for her writing. These include a major grant from the Tacoma Arts Institution, the William ford Award, and the Associated Writing Programs Intro Journals Project Award.

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