CHEATING TO SURVIVE by Christine Ardigo

CHEATING TO SURVIVE by Christine Ardigo

To start with, this book wasn’t written to condone cheating in a marriage.  The three women actually try to talk each other out of, to them, their necessary evil.

We have three women with three different dynamic families, husbands and illicit affairs.  Heather’s ill-fated marriage was doomed from the beginning as she married out of pressure from her peers, her family and her own insecurities.  Lance is a totally self-centered man with no concerns about his wife or his children.  He only wanted a trophy wife and someone that treated him like his mother.  Please.  Grow up. 

Catherine and Victoria on the other hand, actually married out of love.  But as happens in young marriages, people grow up and change.  Usually apart.  If you don’t share any hobbies or interests while you’re dating, you surely won’t share any once you’re married.

Out of the three illicit affairs, Catherine’s was the most dangerous and evil.  But, ironically, her wrong type of affair brought about the biggest change in her self-awareness and the greatest happiness.  Victoria is my age and the type of man she meets is right up my alley.  I can only wish. 

Oh, and let’s not forget Jean, their boss.  Ardigo does such an awesome job in her portrayal of this hateful, spiteful woman.  We all know someone in the workforce that always takes credit for someone else’s ideas and work.  I did get a tad confused though, when Heather went to pick up something at her house and met Jean’s husband.  I thought that was going to go somewhere, but it didn’t.  I believe that part of the story could’ve been erased without affecting the story.

I would also like to applaud the author for using creative simile’s that related to their work as Nutritionists.  I don’t know how many readers caught those.

This is a wonderful read, and I couldn’t wait to get to the end.  I highly recommend the book and give it my 5 feathers.  

SHAMAN: The Awakening by VR McCoy

SHAMAN: The Awakening by VR McCoy

This is a book I’ve wanted to read for awhile, mainly because of the cover design and the theme of the storyline as I love Native American lore. 

The beginning of the book drew me in as I became introduced to Chris, a Freedom Cherokee, and his ability to dreamscape.  Because of his special abilities, he works for a special branch of the FBI that deals with unsolved cases.  His teammates are also gifted in their own unique ways for profiling these types of cases.  The team’s called to New Mexico to help solve the case of a serial killer that’s abducting, holding then killing his victims in a gruesome, ritualistic manner.  Chris ends up with two romantic interests during the investigation of the case.  One ends up turning her back on him. 

I found the plot intriguing and the background of the Indian Nation and their beliefs seemed very well documented.  By the end of the case, Chris has met his spirit guide and is learning to use more of his abilities.  I feel there could be another story for this character.

This book could’ve received at least a 4 star rating, but for these two reasons.  First, the stilted, and one dimensional dialogue: he said, she replied, she smiled, he smiled, etc.  The characters all sounded alike.  When the story is being told from the first person POV, it’s very engaging.  It’s the dialogue that really set me off.  The second reason I couldn’t’ give 4 stars are all the glaring, proofreading / editing errors.  There are actually two places in the book where I found footnotes included in the manualscript.

I also felt there were several scenes in the book that if they had been developed more would’ve added more action and drama to the story, IE their escape from the church and the warehouse.  These were glossed over and done in a few paragraphs.

This was an enjoyable read and I did come to like Chris’ character.  I give it 3 feathers.  

GARCINIA GREEN - Buyer Beware

I'm going to deviate from my normal book reviews and updates on my writing to do a public service notice.  

Back in early December I went to my online bank account at US Bank.  A survey window popped up so I decided to complete it.  I like doing surveys.  At the end, there was a list of items I was offered for FREE other than S&H.  There was an offer for a FREE bottle of Garcinia Cambogia.  Since I'm into herbs, I selected that product and proceeded to the check out.  I filled out my order and I went to check out, it added another bottle, for FREE but S&H, of a Colon Cleanse.  It was never my intention to buy this bottle, but I couldn't find anyway to remove it. So I figured, what the hell.  Everyone needs a good colon cleansing.  

I went to check my bank balance today, which I do once a month before I pay my rent, and lo and behold there are 3 charges posted for some type of E-health provider.  They amounted to several hundred dollars.  I called the toll free number and received the worst customer service ever.  At least she was from the Midwest.  She wouldn't let me speak, kept talking over me and told me, I was the one that checked the box for a recurring charge.  What!??  I never saw such a box and I never would've set myself up on recurring payments for these amount as I'm living paycheck to paycheck.  She kept talking down to me, calling me Pam E La.  She told me I was being rude to her, which I was, then hung up on me.

Well, I've been in customer service for years, whether as a claims examiner, policyholder service and now agent support and you NEVER treat your customers that way.  I tried to point that out to her, but she refused to listen.  

So, as I fuming away, getting ready to call my bank, my phone rings.  It's the same person, but now she's a manger.  Really!!  And she wants to offer me a refund.  She's still calling me the same name: Pam E La.  They offer me a 50% refund, which I decline.  I tell her I'm going to my bank to dispute the charges and she says the banks will always side on the merchant.  Not true.  Then she offers me 75%.  I tell her I have the unopened packet and I will send it back for a full refund.  She says I never told the other customer service representative that, so a return of the product was no longer an option.  I told her, You were the person I just spoke too.  She kept talking right over me.  Anyway, I accepted the 75% refund then called my bank and filed a fraud report. 

I never even opened the package until today.  I was looking for some type of receipt or invoice.  Nothing.  And the web address on the bottle: Garcinia-Green.com says Coming Shortly.  WTH?  Part of why I'm upset is it was my bank that offered me this product.  I did express my concerns to the kind man at US Bank.  

I did some research on the web and couldn't find any websites or a facebook or twitter account.  But I did find a Better Business complaint.  Here is the address:   
http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/health-and-diet-products-retail/garcinia-green-in-salt-lake-city-ut-22358020

Now I'm shy of my rent money, which will cost me late fees.  What a fiasco.  So, please beware of pop windows asking you to do a survey for a website.  Even if it's one you trust.  Okay, my rant is over.  Thanks for listening.    

WHEN THE WORDS ARE SPOKEN by Simone Beaudelaire

WHEN THE WORDS ARE SPOKEN by Simone Beaudelaire 

This is another masterfully written story by Simone Beaudelaire.  Sheridan and Michael were introduced in the first of this series When the Music Ends, and it’s not necessary to read the first book as this story will stand on its own.  But to get the full impact of what happened to Sheridan and understand why she Michael hasn’t hooked up yet, you need to read the first one. 

This story is more than just two people getting over an abusive past and learning to trust and love again, it’s also about the fear of marriage and the uncertainty of being a parent.  Especially in Michael’s case as he grew up in several dysfunctional settings.  He lacked faith in himself. 

I also enjoyed the way Sheridan was the only person who could see past the façade Michael erected to keep people away from him, though he never understood that’s what he was doing. 

If you enjoy a strong romance plot and innocent sex, you’ll want to read this book.  This is a Make-you-feel-good-inside story.  I give it my 5 feathers.  

Cover Reveal of THE SECRET OF EXCALIBUR

This was supposed to be a cover reveal of my latest release, but my publisher released my book sooner that I anticipated.  So, here is my new book.  

Also, Creativia Publishing has some very talented authors.  I just hope I live up to their caliber.  Please see some of my prior posts on the book reviews I have done.  

THE SECRET OF EXCALIBUR

Hi, I’m Arthur Merlin. I used to be an ordinary guy, until a freak accident changed my life. Now my friends are afraid of me, and so am I. See, I developed superpowers: telepathy, pyrokinesis and telekinesis, to name a few. 

The US government wanted to control me. But how do you control someone who can teleport anywhere he wants to in a blink of an eye? Fed up with their shenanigans, I headed for the Institute of Psychic Research in London. 

But something is pulling me; calling me, and I don’t know what. I ended up at Lake George, where sightings of The Lady of the Lake and Excalibur have been reported. With the help of Dr. Burns and Commander Dobie, we uncovered the secrets of the lake, but they’re more than anyone imagined. 

What would I sacrifice to save the world from Excalibur?

US:  EBOOK  http://amzn.to/1w8UMSe

US:  PAPERBACK  http://amzn.to/1wwyXfw

WHEN THE MUSIC ENDS by Simone Beaudelaire

WHEN THE MUSIC ENDS by Simone Beaudelaire 

The story revolves around two best friends, Sheridan and Erin, who are almost like sisters.  During the homecoming dance, events happen that change both of their lives.  Danny’s for the worst.  As the story progresses, Erin becomes the primary POV.  This is a wonderful tale of young love and also the tragedies in life that either make you stronger or tear you down. 

I thought the plot and the pace of the story was well done.  The characters are so alive and rich; they practically walk off the pages.  I really identified with Erin, being the unwanted and unworthy child.  And the demons that haunt you do bring around your worst self-fulfilled prophecies. 

This is a beautiful coming-of-age tale, and I look forward to seeing what happens for Sheridan in the following book.  I give it my 5 feathers.

AFTER ARMAGEDDON by Brian L Porter

AFTER ARMAGEDDON by Brian L Porter

Here’s another well-written collection of works by Brian L Porter.  There were several short stories in this collection that I really enjoyed.  The Significance of Cherries, Breathing to Death, Bodies in the Cellar and Megalith, to name a few.  My favorite, though, was Red Sky in the Morning.  I can just see the poor Captain and his crew as they endlessly wander the oceans, searching for any signs of survivors. 

At the back of the book is a preview of Under Mexican Skies.  Now I’ll have to add this one to my TBR list.  Just enough of a teaser to get me interested. 

There’s also a story by guest author Carole Gill, entitled Raised.  If you’ve yet to read her stories, you must give them a try, as she’s another gifted writer.

If you like odd and unusual, plus short stories, this book is for you.  I give it 4 feathers.