Plot: 1 – Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed Jesus from the bible, is alive and well after hanging himself. He’s been cursed to live forever until he retrieves all 30 pieces of silver he received in payment for his betrayal. There’s rumors of one of the pieces of silver in a small city near Tehran, Iran. Using his connections from his long years of life, he finds a way to sneak in. His current name, William, he is asked by the US government to spy on a Russian operative. The Russian operative is up to something. They have a technology that will allow them to move the rocks in the Alborz Mountains with ease. Judas has to find out what the Russians are up to. Judas uses the help of his son, Alister, and his connections to help. Together they search for what the Russians are up to. Once they get there, Judas realizes that he knows who the Russians are, and what they are up to. But will he be able to stop the Russian’s plans? What are the Russians looking for? Can Judas find what he originally came for?
Rating: 3.2 – an interesting take on a biblical idea
Opinion: I got this book a while ago and finally gave it a try. While the idea is good, I don’t think it was executed very well. Everything seemed rushed. I didn’t feel like I could connect to the characters very well. Nothing seemed very fleshed out. The author seemed to skim over details about the characters, plot, and descriptions. Some of the character’s names are similar, too, which made it confusing for me to keep track of who was who at first. This was the first book in the series, but I felt like there was something I was missing. Like there was a prequel or another book I was supposed to read first. This was still an interesting book, it just wasn’t the most well executed book I’ve ever read.
Found this book as an early release on Book of the Month. This book will be available on July 6.
Title: Half Sick of Shadows
Author: Laura Sebastian
Genre: Fantasy
Plot: Elaine is a young woman in the court of Camelot. She’s always been thought of as odd because of what she can do. Then she meets Morgana. She tells Elaine that she’s an oracle, she can see the future. Morgana begs hers to come to Avalon with her so she can learn more about her magic. Elaine accepts. There, she meets Gwen, Lancelot, and Arthur. They form a strong bond over the years on Avalon. When they return to Camelot so Arthur can claim his throne, their friendship is tested. They find another about to be crowned. But Merlin says if Arthur passes three tests, Arthur will be crowned king. As they start their tests, Elaine’s visions of the future become clearer. Can Elaine stop what we know as the classic Arthur’s tale? Or will what she see be prevented?
Rating: 4.0 – a new take on the tales of Arthur and Camelot
Opinion: I’ve always been curious about the tales of Arthur and his knights. I also love books from a different point of view. This book was a great book that combined both. Though this book focuses more on what the actions that led to the classic tales of Arthur and Camelot instead of those classic stories. This book does a great job with different types of magic. Though it focuses more on Elaine’s visions, it still describes Morgana and Gwen’s types of magic well, too. I also loved that Elaine took charge of her own future and was willing to make changes that could help her friends. She saw through the lies of those around her and did something about it. Though it took her a while to realize that she could make her own future. Once Elaine realized that, she helped her friends realize that, too. This is a great book for those who love retelling of classic stories from a different point of view. I recommend this book for those who love tales of Arthur and Camelot.
Plot: Drew has just received a packet of letters from his crayons. All of the letters are complaints from the different color crayons. Each crayon wants to be used for a different kind of drawing. Both yellow and orange want to be the color of the sun. Pink is not just a girl’s color. Gray doesn’t like being used for big animals, like elephants and whales. The list goes on and on. Can Drew make his crayons happy? How can Drew use his crayons in different ways?
Rating: 3.8 – a cute series of letters
Opinion: This is a very cute book. It’s not a story, per se, but a series of letters. It’s a good way for kids to learn about different ways to color with their favorite colors. It’s a book that teaches kids it’s okay to mix things up. Not everything needs to be the same. It’s okay to make purple dragons, pink elephants, and black rainbows. The kids got a kick of beige’s letter. It was the easiest for them to understand and the silliest. It might be easier for older kids to fully understand the book because I had to explain a few things while I was reading the book. Overall, they enjoyed the book. It’s a great lesson in creativity. It’s a good classroom book because it’s silly, fun, and a creativity lesson book.
Plot: Hannah has just received a note from a friend of her step-daughter. All it says is ‘Protect Her.’ She knows it means Bailey, her step-daughter, and that it’s from her husband, Owen. But why? Bailey comes home, clearly upset. Hannah tries to ask why, but Bailey’s not one for answers, never has been. Hannah turns on the news and is shocked. Owen’s company, The Shop, is under fire for fraud. The CEO has been arrested. Now they’re looking for Owen, as he’s the chief coder for the company. But Owen’s vanished. No one has heard from him, neither Hannah or Bailey. Then a US Marshall shows up, and the next day, the FBI. Hannah’s not sure who to trust. Everyone asks her to lie low. Instead, Hannah decides to do her own investigating. Everything starts pointing to Austin, Texas. Hannah starts asking Bailey if she remembers anything about the city. Bailey has a few faint memories. It’s not much it’s a start. They take a plane there and do some more digging. Once in Austin, Hannah starts learning about Owen’s past. What secrets was he hiding? Is Owen alright? Can Hannah find him? Or will someone else find him first?
Rating: 4.3 – a different kind of mystery
Opinion: This was a different style of mystery. Instead of following around a detective, it follows around an average person, and a woman to boot. There are more and more woman detectives now, but it’s still not the norm. It was nice to see an average person doing the digging, too. Hannah also puts her foot down and stands her ground against others. She stands by her decisions and her step-daughter’s, even though they don’t always get along. She stands by her decision to protect Bailey, even if it means going against an order from a US Marshall. It’s a nice change to see. The ending wasn’t your typical happy ending, either. I was kind of sad about that, but I understood why the ending had to be like that. Overall, this was a great book. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. It was a good mystery and it kept me guessing. I highly recommend this book for those who love mysteries and love a different style of mystery.
Plot: Lucy Drake and her brother, Nick, have been fighting their family’s legal battle against their Uncle Thomas’s family for over 40 years. Lucy and Nick believe their grandfather was swindled out his inheritance of being part of inventing a new kind of valve that would allow indoor plumbing to flow higher in buildings. But their uncle is filthy rich and can afford better lawyers, and plays dirty. Lucy works at a telegraph office, Associated Press, and listens in on her uncle’s telegrams. When she overhears part of a plot against the president and his plan for the Panama Canal, Lucy knows she must do something. Colin Beckwith works with a rival telegraph office, Ruegers, and is in charge of the cables that transmits both companies telegraphs. No one is taking Lucy seriously, so Colin offers to help. But that means getting close to Lucy’s uncle. They use Colin’s homing pigeons to communicate. But Lucy finds more telegrams that involve her uncle and cousin. Now Colin’s life is threatened, too. Lucy rushes to find Colin at her uncle’s house. But will it be in time? Will Lucy find enough evidence to overturn the court cases and convict her uncle and cousin? Or will that put Lucy and her brother in deeper trouble?
Rating: 3.7 – a good historical fiction with some mystery
Opinion: This was a very good historical fiction book. I enjoyed learning about how telegraphs worked and the history surrounding them. I didn’t know that there were two routes for the what today is the Panama Canal. While I enjoyed this book, I felt like it was a little over dramatic for me. I understand that there was supposed to be an air of mystery, but it felt a little overdone. While overall this was a great book, this wasn’t my favorite book by this author. Maybe because the characters were a little too stubborn for me, or too confrontational. While the characters want what’s best for each other, they don’t always stop to listen completely. Though by the end, that changes. I’m also glad that the characters start letting go of their pasts to move on with their futures. The ending of the book wraps everything up nicely, but leaves enough room for the next two books. I’m not sure I want to read them right away, but I’ll read them eventually.
Thank you Jennifer of Mama Bookworm for this review.
Title: The Drowning Kind Author: Jennifer McMahon Genre: Paranormal Thriller, Thriller Synopsis: When social worker Jax receives nine missed calls from her older sister Lexie, she assumes that it’s just another one of her sister’s episodes. Manic and increasingly out of touch with reality, Lexie has pushed Jax away for over a year. But the next day, Lexie is dead: drowned in the pool at their grandmother’s estate. When Jax arrives at the house to go through her sister’s things, she learns that Lexie was researching the history of their family and the property. And as she dives deeper into the research herself, she discovers that the land holds a far darker past than she could have ever imagined. In 1929, thirty-seven-year-old newlywed Ethel Monroe hoped desperately for a baby. To distract her, her husband whisks her away on a trip to Vermont, where a natural spring is showcased by the newest and most modern hotel in the Northeast. Once there, Ethel learns that the water is rumored to grant wishes, never suspecting that the spring takes in equal measure to what it gives. A haunting, twisty, and compulsively readable thrill ride from the author who Chris Bohjalian has dubbed the “literary descendant of Shirley Jackson,” The Drowning Kind is a modern-day ghost story that illuminates how the past, though sometimes forgotten, is never really far behind us. Review: Holy moly! The Drowning Kind is the bee’s knees, friends! It was my first Jennifer McMahon book, but it won’t be my last. When I turned the last page and discovered the gutwrenching twist at the end of this book, I immediately sourced two more of this author’s books. McMahon spins an atmospheric supernatural thriller with lightning-fast pacing that keeps you on your toes. McMahon tells this story in dual timelines/POVs (Jax in the present and Ethel in 1929). Eerie Sparrow’s Crest draws in a family for generations. McMahon paints a beautiful setting here. You can see, hear, smell, and feel the land and the pool at Sparrow’s Crest. Upon learning that her sister Lexie drowned, Jax returns to the family estate. Estranged, the sisters’ history had been complicated, filled with trauma and love. Still, Jax yearns for her sister. We feel grief alongside her as she navigates life without her sibling. And the pool! Imagine a natural spring that grants your wishes and heals you from pain. Except, when the pool gives, it takes as well. The spring itself is a character in this story with its obsidian water and flashes of something otherworldly hidden within its depths. I try to picture what’s lurking in the water, waiting to pull me under forever. It gives me goosebumps! Immediately, the plot swept me off my feet. I love a good plot twist, and this book has that and more. This book will delight thriller lovers everywhere. It’s a reflection on love, loss, grief, and family.
Plot: Malinalli has been a slave since she was a young girl. With the Spanish Conquistador’s arrival, the two cultures need interpreters. Malinalli is chosen to be Hernán Cortés interpreter. His ambition is great and he needs an interpreter of Malinalli’s skill to make alliances and conquer the Aztec empire. At first Malinalli, like many other’s think he’s one of the gods, Quetzalcoatl. As Malinalli follows Cortés to Tenochtilan (the Aztec capital), she realizes that Cortés isn’t all that’s been promised. Malinalli dreams of freedom, but with Cortés’ ambition, that dream is dwindling. She’s scared of what’s she’s seen and unsure of who or what to believe anymore. Will she be free from her slavery? Will she be free of what she’s seen and done?
Rating: 4.0 – a good telling of the other side of the Conquistador’s conquest
Opinion: I was a little confused at the beginning. I hadn’t thought about the fact that the Spaniards had been around for a while before Cortés set his plan in motion. The more I read the book, the more I realized that that made sense. I felt for Malinalli. She’d been betrayed over and over again her whole life. She’d seen everything she believed fall and fail over and over again. Still she kept getting back up again and continued to fight. Malinalli did what she had to do to survive. It was nice to see the other side of the Spaniard’s conquest. As is said, history is told by the victors. I enjoyed learning more about the Spanish conquest from a different perspective. This is a great book for those who love history from other perspectives.
Plot: Hetty is a former underground railroad conductor and escaped slave. Her and her husband, Benji, now live in Philadelphia. They live a quiet life, trying to stay out of trouble, and helping friends when they can. Both Hetty and Benji can preform magic, but have to be careful. Magic is strictly controlled and limited from before the Civil War. When one of their friends dies, Hetty and Benji suspect foul play. They use their magic to help look for clues to what happened to their friend. But whoever’s behind their friend’s death is smart and desperate. There are more deaths, all with the same cursed mark as their friend. When Hetty and Benji get close to a suspect, the killer starts making it look like Benji did it. On top of that, someone is sneaking into their home, and other friend’s homes. Can they find the killer in time? Will others get hurt, or killed? Or will Benji get the blame? Is one of their friends to blame? Or someone else?
Rating: 3.5 – a different take on post Civil War life of former slaves
Opinion: This was an interesting book. I really enjoyed this new take of post Civil War life for former slaves. It’s a great a take on historical fiction and fantasy. While the book tries to be a mystery as well, it doesn’t keep me guessing as some of the other mystery books I’ve read. It’s a slow and steady read, not an edge of your seat book. The rules for the magic systems aren’t as well explained as some other magical fantasy books I’ve read, either. Though this was still an interesting idea for a magic system and I can understand why the author used this method for the magic. The book mentions that there’s a difference between magic and sorcery, but was never explained well enough for me. There were also a lot of people introduced at one time in the book. It took me a while afterwards to get everyone straight. While this was a good book overall, I wasn’t terribly impressed with it. I just felt it bit off a little more than it could chew. Still, it’s a good take on historical fiction laced with magic.
Plot: Circe is a daughter of the Titan, Helios (Greek sun god). While she doesn’t have any of his talent, she tries her hardest to please him. Thanks to her brother, Aeëtes, she starts to learn about magic. Her first spell is to turn her mortal crush into his true form. Then when he loves another, Circe turns the other girl into a monster, called Scylla. Circe feels some guilt and begs Helios and the other Greek gods, the Olympians, for forgiveness. The Olympian gods, especially Zeus, want Circe banished. To keep the peace, Helios banishes Circe to the island of Aiaia. There, Circe hones her witchcraft. Circe is summoned to her sister and husband, Minos, court to help her sister who’s about to give birth. While there, Circe’s sister gives birth to the Minotaur. She also falls in love with Daedalus, Icarus’ father, who builds the labyrinth for the Minotaur. Circe is forced to return to her island where she later learns of Daedalus and Icarus’ fate. Circe is devastated. As mortal sailors find her island, Circe’s heart is hardened more and more. That is until, Odysseus finds her island. He finds his way into her heart. After he sets sail to Ithaca, Circe realizes she’s pregnant with his child. When her child is born, she calls him Telegonus. But Athena wants him. To kill him, or keep him. Circe refuses. Athena promises to return for him some day. Circe sets up protections for her son over the island. Telegonus grows up loving the sea and longing to explore. When he’s old enough, he begs Circe to let some sailors on the island. Circe finally relents. That starts Telegonus on his journey to want to see more. After setting up numerous protection spells, she agrees to let Telegonus visit Odysseus on Ithaca. But he returns too soon and brings more trouble with him. Will Circe ever be free of trouble? Or will she overcome it as she always has? Will she ever be free of her island? Of her past? How will Circe ever be free?
Rating: 4.3 – a interesting tale of mythology
Opinion: I was unsure of this book when I started it. It’s a pretty descriptive book and started out really slow. After a while it picked up and I started to enjoy it more and more. By the end, I really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down. While it’s a very descriptive narrative, I found myself wanting to know how Circe got through her troubles on the island and how she learned of the outside world. I enjoyed more about a different side of Greek mythology. There are plenty of common mythology stories, I’ve heard before. This book puts a new spin on those classic tales. There were different sides to those classic tales that I hadn’t heard before. That made this story even more enjoyable. While this story had its romances and affairs, there was very scant details about them. That’s really enjoyable in a book like this. It focuses more on how they fell in love, or about their conversations, instead of the bedroom scenes. It was a nice change for romance in a book. This was a great book for those who love Greek mythology and want to see a different side of the classic Greek mythology stories.
A good book makes you look at life a little differently, learn new things and see the world through another lens.
Which is why we are constantly told to read more and more books as we grow.
Why?
Because not only does reading improve your mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as helping your grow exponentially,
But reading a book can be so much fun. In my opinion as a book lover, more fun that watching that reality show people seem to love.
And as a bookie, who has gone through a lot of books, one of the first I ever read, was ‘The Richest Man in Babylon’ by George Clason.
This was the building block of building wealth to financial freedom for me.
In fact, it is my holy grail, and I go back to each every few months to read it again and again.
This post is going to be a brief review of this book, and how tis small book, will literally change the way you see money,
How you manage it, and how you spend it.
Not a lot of people enjoy talking about money, but after you get this book for yourself, you will see that money isn’t some bad thing
But a way for you to enjoy life as much as you want.
I will be very thorough with this review, showing you what to expect in this book, and why you need this in your shelf.
KILLER REVIEW ON THE BOOK ‘THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON’
First of all, the one thing a lot of us want, and crave so badly and deep within, is freedom.
Freedom to do what we want, to travel the world, the buy the things we want and much more. But the thing we don’t see is;
‘FREEDOM HAS A PRICE’
And it is a price you must be willing to pay if you truly desire it.
Secondly, this book, is based on that point exactly. How to build wealth, maintain wealth, and secure your key to financial freedom.
There is a quote that says;
‘NOBODY GOT RICH SAVING MONEY’
And more wise words couldn’t have been said.
‘The richest Man in Babylon’ shows you how you can build wealth in a steady and sure process, without having to save every single penny you get.
It shows you how to use money to make more money (something a lot of people aren’t familiar with)
It shows you the 7 CURES FOR A LEAN PURSE which basically means the ways which you can go from broke
To financially free.
And the utmost best thing about this book?
IT IS WRITTEN IN STORY FORM.
Just like a reading a story with so many moral lessons to adhere to. That is why it is my no 1 financial book,
Because the author breaks down how the ancient Babylonians built wealth, and how those same principles apply today, 4000 years later.
The story format of the book makes it super easy to read, and easier to grab and understand.
One of my favorite speakers, Jim Rohn, says that in all his seminars, he commends this book, as it was his stepping stone to financial freedom as well.
He recommends this book to teenagers who want to learn to build wealth, and even to those who aren’t teenagers.
Just like him, and by doing this book review, I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to build wealth and become free.
Apart from the 7 CURES which I stated are in the book, (I wont breakdown the 7 cures for you, you just have to see it yourself),
The book also explains the 5 RULES OF GOLD or THE 5 RULES OF MONEY (am I spitting knowledge or what?!!)
Knowledge is much more important than money, because even if you lose money, you always have the knowledge on how to get it back.
That is why, these rules of money are stated. And to my utmost surprise after I read this rule, I realized, I was breaking 3 OF THEM!!?
HOW?
Long story short, I had no idea what exactly I was doing with my money but that has changed.
Those 5 rules of money, show you, and teach you the rules which guide money, and that if you abide by these rules,
Money will always come to you, and if you break them, money will always run from you.
Don’t be surprised that after reading those rules, you find out you are breaking all 5 of them, and them you will realize why money seems to run away from you.
DID I MENTION THIS BOOK IS MINDBLOWING?!
The book further goes through various people in Babylon, who had accumulated wealth, and how their money makes more money.
It looks at some select Babylonians, who had accumulated wealth, and the lesson each story teaches.
(I won’t be a spoiler and mention any) So you just have to get it for yourself.
I DID SAY I WAS GOING TO BE BRIEF WITH THIS REVIEW, RIGHT?
And I keep my word.
My personal take on this book, is that everyone needs a copy.
This is not a want; it is a NEED. You may not want to be a billionaire, but understanding money, and how it works is very important.
There are so many more books I would recommend for those willing to build their road to financial freedom,
And this is the very first book you need, especially if you are a beginner, and not looking for all the technical language the finance people use.
The book is written as a story, with moral lessons, which teaches everyone, both the young and old,
High earner and low earner, employer and employee, and whether you live in a developed country or in a third world country.
This review should show you what to expect in the book, and why a little investment in yourself will go a long way.
And what is that quote we hear a lot?
‘AN INVESTMENT IN YOURSELF PAYS THE BEST DIVIDENDS’
Sounds cheesy, but so true and will be of great benefit if you abide by it.
I hope you enjoyed this review, and if you did, get yourself a copy of the book ‘The Richest Man in Babylon’
And thank me later.
Really, my inbox is open to you all (expect for spam, no one like that), or you can leave a comment below.
Share this post with your friend and family, who you believe will benefit from reading this post and getting a copy for themselves.
A simple share will go a long way for me, as the writer, the platform, and you as the reader.
You may just be the light in the dark tunnel…. (Ok I don’t want to lose track here but you get the point)
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