Finding purpose and meaning

Finding Purpose and Meaning:
Sally Survives Her Brief, Nasty Dance with Psychiatry

Interesting but difficult book

My review

To be honest, I haven't read the other part of the series, so it was
difficult to come into the book.

I read it twice because it was very interesting, and I wanted to 
understand the context.

I think this book could be compelling for everyone who likes to
know more about psychiatry.

It's a bit difficult to give "Finding Purpose and Meaning:

Sally Survives Her Brief, Nasty Dance with Psychiatry" a proper
rating. However due to the interesting story, I give a 4 star rating.

Booktasters

I want to thank booktasters for providing me a free copy in 
return for an honest review, which I did. 

Black, White, and Gray All Over: A Black Man's Odyssey in Life and Law Enforcement

 A tough story

Summary

From shootouts and robberies to riding in cars with pimps and prostitutes,
Frederick Reynolds' early manhood experiences in Detroit, Michigan in the
1960s foretold a future on the wrong side of the prison bars. Frederick
grew up a creative and sensitive child but found himself lured down the same
path as many Black youth in that era. No one would have guessed he would
have a future as a cop in one of the most dangerous cities in America in the
1980s---Compton, California. From recruit to detective, Frederick
experienced a successful career marked by commendations and awards.
The traumatic and highly demanding nature of the work, however, took
its toll on both his family and personal life---something Frederick was
able to conquer but only after years of distress and regret.

My Review

What a tough story! It took so long because I wanted to read the complete
story to have a better idea of the book. However it grabs you and it takes you
into a journey of man. 

The book is fluently written and it has a fantastic character. I like the book
cover too. It also is very detailed, which I enjoy a lot. 

I recommend to read Black, White, and Gray All Over: A Black Man's
Odyssey in Life and Law Enforcement because it's an interesting piece of
work and very well written! 

I give the book 5 stars but if I could I would give even more!

The author

The book is written by Frederick Douglass Reynolds and is available in
Amazon. 

Booktasters

I want to thank the author and Booktasters as well for providing me a free
copy in return of my honest review, which I did. 

Gugulu the Little Bear dares

 An Amazing Children's story

Summary

Go on a wild adventure with Gugulu, the sloth bear, as he takes on a
journey deep inside the western ghats of India.

Gugulu's parents won't allow him to go to school alone. But he can't
wait to explore the forest on his own. So one day, he runs ahead of
his parents. And before he knows it, he ends up in a river filled with
danger - first a roaring leopard, then a gang of gaurs, but soon he
shrinks in fear. 

Will naughty Gugulu be able to reunite with his parents?

Gugulu, The Little Bear Dares, is a quirky, funny, beautifully
illustrated story about new experiences and courageously facing
challenges when encountered

My Review

What an amazing beautiful children's story. And again I really liked
the layout and the way the author deepened out the characters.

I enjoyed it very much.

At the end there is a summary of all the characters Gugulu the bear
met during his trip.

I recommend this book to all parents who want to read for their children
or to children, who start reading.

Of course, I give a 5 star rating to Gugulu the little bear dares. 

The Author

Srividhya is an entrepreneur and writer. She always had a passion for
storytelling and started to write when she was eleven.

​Her early success came when one of her dramas got selected by the
‘All India Radio’. 

She spent years reading and writing stories, giving her characters
a bright sparkle!

​She is a chartered accountant and spent 15 years in corporate jobs.
Later, she founded and managed a fashion e-commerce company.

More about this splendid author, check last author in the picture
blog post on this link. 

Bookreview: Masked Intent: A Modern-Day Morality Play

Wonderful read

Summary

Set in the not-so-distant future, Masked Intent follows the new, shaky romance
between a divorced mom with three sons and a younger college professor. When
ghosts from their pasts reappear, they come face-to-face with the emotional
wreckage that was locked down and lay dormant inside them both for years.
As it turns out, the ghosts aren't the biggest threats to their budding love. It's
the lies they've lived and accepted for themselves as truth that have
the potential to break them apart.

Told through a series of seemingly disconnected vignettes narrated by Truth
personified, Masked Intent examines our relationship with the truth and each
other in a world where honesty and authenticity take back seat to the
power of influence.

My review

A different story which took my attention immediately and it really was a
wonderful read.

The characters were all developed well, however I'm not sure in what
kind of category this book fell.

I would recommend this book to all who like to read well developed,
fiction plays with interesting characters.

I give a 5 star rating for this wonderful read.

The author

From narrating school plays to writing melodramatic short stories,
Kim Greer has always enjoyed telling stories that entertain and enlighten.
As a fiction writer, she imagines thoughtful but flawed characters who engage
and enrage readers in her stories that celebrate love, mourn societal discord,
examine relationships, and prompt us to take a closer look at ourselves.

Kim’s passion for connecting audiences with a good read has bled into all facets
of her life. A journalist by training, she earned her BA in English Language and
Literature from the University of Virginia and an MS in Journalism from
Columbia University.

For nearly three decades, she’s helped corporations, nonprofits, and others tell
their stories and build their brands. Kim lives in northern Virginia with her
fabulous husband of 26 years, the youngest of their three sons, her 91-year-old
father, and their Rottweiler, Oba.

Booktasters

Of course I want to thank booktasters and the author as well for providing me a free
copy in return of my honest review. 

Bookreview: Bubba the Bee

 Amazing children's story

My Review

What an amazing story. Not only for children but adults can learn something from
Bubba the Bee too.

I enjoyed the story very much, as well as the wonderful layout. That's why I want
to recommend this book to all parents and grandparents to read this for your (grand)
children.

Of course, I give a 5 star rating for Bubba the Bee.

The book

Bubba the Bee contains 30 pages and it was published on 20 May 2021
(Independent publisher).

Booktasters

I want to thank Booktasters and the author as well for giving me this splendid 
reading chance. Thank you very much! 

Bookreview: Circumstances

"Interesting Science Fiction Story"

Get onboard Chimeric to trace a series of episodes and unique characters 
under intricate circumstances in the hope of taking the dream from 
anywhere to any destination without limits. 

My Review

Before I start reading a brand new book, I always take a look to the cover,
which is great to attack the readers. 

The title circumstances is chosen very carefully - it could trigger some new
readers. 

I liked the storytelling a lot just as the main character. Circumstances is written
well and I hope to read more books from the author.

I would recommend this book to all lovers of Science Fiction. 
I give a 5 star rating for Circumstances. 

The Author

Solomon Sackitey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry at
Iowa State University and a Master of Science degree in Regulatory Affairs
for Drugs, Biologics and Medical Devices at Northeastern University in the
United States. 

Solomon also is the author of A Sea of Plight and Pure Joy of the Gold Coast
Boy (written under the pen name Bwana Awetse), and Roadmap. 

As a contributing author, he wrote for the PRESEC-Legon 
Senior High School Magazine, Iowa Agriculturist and the Iowa State Daily.

Booktasters

I received a review copy via Booktasters. Thank you very much! 

Book details

The book has 184 pages and was published on 9 December 2020 by
GCB Books. 

Valentine special: When two writers found their love

Writers in the picture: 

💕 Albert van der Steeg and Sarah Anne Burns 💕

Albert van der Steeg and Sarah Anne Burns are currently writing on a lovely 
continuing story: Arjan and Sophie, which I really enjoy reading. You can read
it on this link. 

To my modest opinion they are a wonderful writing couple and one of the few
who actually work together. 

As people (or perhaps the shops) around the world are celebrating 
Saint Valentine, it looked a great idea to put this amazing writing couple in
the picture. 

A special love story

How did you meet each other?

We were both on a website called MySpace (it actually still has the same name).
In those times, MySpace was what Facebook nowadays is. I started a group with 
the name Planet Al. It was meant for people with the names: albert, Alfreds etc. 

One day, a jazz/blues singer Albert Cooper took part of the group. He was a nice
guy but he had lots of pretention. For example he talked about Karl Marks.

Sarah had lots of fun with that guy and he became very angry. Finally I (Albert)
had to calm down them, but the contact between me and Sarah was there. 

After lots of messages on MySpace, I gave her my e-mail Address. E-mails
followed and finally we made a phone call to each other. 

We met each other live at the end of October 2007 and in December we
decided to marry. In January 2008 our wedding took place.

However I was divorced from my first wife in September 2007 and
everyone was against my second marriage. They found me crazy. 

(Most people didn't know how long a divorce arrangement lasts). 

Now it is 2021 and we are still very happy with each other!

How well do you know Sarah?

How well does Sarah know Albert?

Is there a difference of age between you two?

There is a difference of 6 years between us.

Which are your favourite stories?

We both love true stories. We don't like fantasy or science fiction very much.

If you read the story of Arjan and Sophie, you'll see that everything what's
happening could be possible. We both don't like fake things.

What are your favourite drinks and meals?

Sarah's favourite drink is Hopback Summer Lightning, mine is Westmalle 
Dubbel. (Ha! As a Belgian, I say: Great Choice Albert!) 

We both like Curry.

About their writing life

When did you start writing?

I (Albert) already wrote at the years of 11 and 12. I wrote at school. All the
kids had to work a week, before their job was finished. I did it every 
Saturday morning.

Sarah already wrote stories for the school paper, Essays on the university and
she wrote for the Norfolk Nips, this is a magazine for brewers and beer lovers
in Norfolk (which is a county in the UK.)

Are there similarities between Arjan and Sophie and you both?

Only the nationality of both main characters and some own experiences
are the same as us. But they are very different than we.

Do you have a special writing routine or is it going with the flow?

At the beginning we wanted to write each one chapter, but that plan was
soon declined. It depends how we feel. Some days one of us writes more 
than the other. We don't know yet what will happen to the story.

You write lots of posts about music. Which is your favourite kind of music
during writing?

It depends on the mood. Sometimes there is only silence. I Just discovered a
Dutch band Solution again. It isn't existing anymore. 

Do you and Sarah have lots of writing dreams/goals?

Not really. We are already very happy with the amounts of readers we get
online. Publishing will only happen after winning the lottery, I fear.
We are both working on other projects as well!

Tell me, I'm very curious 😃

Sarah writes a novel and I'm working on my detective stories. If I get
inspiration I will write more very short stories. Sarah has some short
stories in her head that need to be written. And we both write reviews
as well. 

Do you have wishes for 2021 - both personal and for the world?

We both want our vaccines soon, so life can be 'normal' again. 

We also hope that all people on earth wouldn't believe nonsensical
things anymore and that everyone will respect the other. 

That's a wonderful wish! Thank you Albert & Sarah , for this small
interview. I wish you bot lots of luck and happiness. 

Source pictures: Albert van der Steeg & Sarah Anne Burns. 

Bookreview: 40 Inspirational True Stories

 

"Very touching stories"

Summary

Life is full of challenges ...

... and overcoming them produces stories that inspire. 

Motivation awaits.

In this anthology, 26 writers share their experiences with the goal of
enlightening others. They tell of events that exemplify courage,
resourcefulness and positivity.

Learning from other people's lives helps you become more inspired and
motivated.

What can you learn from viewing life through these writer's eyes? 

You'll love this intriguing collection because the stories range from 
easy-going to heart-rending and have many joyful moments to brighten 
your day. 

My review

40 Inspirational True Stories are short stories written by several lovely 

authors such as Lally Brown, Val Poore. So, it wasn't a big surprise that
I liked the wonderful short stories. 

It really is a book that you must read very carefully and slow and I absolutely
enjoyed the stories and the travel memoirs. 40 Inspirational True Stories
took me on a journey in the life, the memories and the travel stories of
very lovely people. I was very touched by the story of Elizabeth Moore. 

I also like the way the authors who contributed the 40 Inspirational True
Stories were introduced with their picture and a short bio. Wonderful! 

That's why I'm thrilled to give a 5 * rating for this amazing, inspirational
book. 

The author

Robert Fear has lived in Eastbourne, on the south coast of the UK for half
his life. He moved there to be with Lynn, his future wife and is still there
with her thirty years later. As cat-lovers they have taken on several rescue
cats over the years and are owned by the three at the moment.

For his day job, Robert works as a self-employed software consultant. In his
spare time he writes, edits and self-publishes books, and organises annual
travel writing competitions. 

Robert's interest in travel goes back to his twenties when he spent most of his
time abroad. His experiences included; a summer in Ibiza, hitch-hiking around
Europe and touring in the USA & Canada. His most eventful trip was in 1981

when he travelled around Asia.

We love memoirs

I received a free copy from the We love memoirs group on facebook. 

Source picture: book cover

Man From Ireland by Michelle G. Charrier

Her athletic ambitions kicked off a new romance. But when her training partner vanishes without a trace, how far will she go to find him?Maddie St. Laurent’s marriage is beyond resuscitation. And what starts out as a way to breathe life back into her fifties, finishes with her rescuing a charming Irish cyclist. But after five intimate days and a surprise proposal, she’s shocked when her charismatic companion mysteriously disappears.When he never makes contact, she assumes she was seduced by a con artist. Consumed by curiosity, she digs into the charming man’s past only to uncover a dangerous connection to Ireland’s underworld.Will the Irish Mafia steal the couple’s last breath, or will they live to make a fresh start? Man From Ireland is the first novel in a suspenseful contemporary fiction series. If you like adrenaline-pumping page-turners, intriguing love stories, and vivid settings from around the globe, then you’ll adore Michele G. Charrier’s uplifting tale.

Technical Details

Published on 28/29 April 2020
Publishers: Archives Canada. 

The Book

Althouth these kind of books aren't my normal reading genre, I really liked
it. "Man From Ireland" was easy reading and the characters were very good.
I certainly wanted to know the end of the book. 

So "Man From Ireland" certainly is a great-read. 

The Author

The author: Michele G. Charrier has written other books too: The Race,
The Stone of Greed and Sfumato. 

BookSirens

I received an advanced copy for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I want to thank BookSirens to give me the chance for reading this great book.

Source picture: Book cover