A wonderfully entertaining read by Maitland Ward, relating her eventual disappointment with mainstream Hollywood. She switches to creating her own conA wonderfully entertaining read by Maitland Ward, relating her eventual disappointment with mainstream Hollywood. She switches to creating her own content and gets creative with cosplay, etc. She later goes into porn to continue her personal journey into exploring her sexuality, and really makes a splash. Fascinating crossover. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Merged review:
A wonderfully entertaining read by Maitland Ward, relating her eventual disappointment with mainstream Hollywood. She switches to creating her own content and gets creative with cosplay, etc. She later goes into porn to continue her personal journey into exploring her sexuality, and really makes a splash. Fascinating crossover. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Such an exhaustive coverage of the life of George Michael, this book taught me much I hadn’t known about the singer/songwriter I listened to back in tSuch an exhaustive coverage of the life of George Michael, this book taught me much I hadn’t known about the singer/songwriter I listened to back in the day. I had his Faith CD and had to keep replacing it as my younger relatives kept making it disappear. It dives into his early life with a father who was against him going into music. His friendship with Ridgeley and their various attempts at bands before eventually making it with Wham. Also his solo career and the ever present search for love. His sad later years and too early death are also covered. His demons seemed to rule his life in many ways. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Merged review:
Such an exhaustive coverage of the life of George Michael, this book taught me much I hadn’t known about the singer/songwriter I listened to back in the day. I had his Faith CD and had to keep replacing it as my younger relatives kept making it disappear. It dives into his early life with a father who was against him going into music. His friendship with Ridgeley and their various attempts at bands before eventually making it with Wham. Also his solo career and the ever present search for love. His sad later years and too early death are also covered. His demons seemed to rule his life in many ways. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
I’m finding the year this was originally released showing 2002, not 2011. I read the book back then but I’ve sure forgotten what a sick, twisted kill I’m finding the year this was originally released showing 2002, not 2011. I read the book back then but I’ve sure forgotten what a sick, twisted killer this guy was. A major con man as well. A creepy but enlightening read that kept me up into the wee hours. A bit repetitive or it would have been 5 stars. Enjoy this writer's true crime books....more
This is a look at the life of Carmine Galante, a none too savvy mobster. There is debate whether he was born in Italy before his family moved to the This is a look at the life of Carmine Galante, a none too savvy mobster. There is debate whether he was born in Italy before his family moved to the US, or if he was born here in the US as his birth certificate showed. It made it harder for him to be deported as they could never prove he was from Italy. Another good mob read by this pair of authors....more
A well written book about a serial killer, Lewis Lent, who managed to fly under the radar for a long time. He was a sexual predator who liked childrenA well written book about a serial killer, Lewis Lent, who managed to fly under the radar for a long time. He was a sexual predator who liked children as his victims. Lent hid behind being a Christian who enjoyed helping others. When he was finally arrested, it surprised many who knew him....more
I found this to be a well written page turner that takes you through the crime in a thought-out manner. Lots of detail here. Done by an experienced wrI found this to be a well written page turner that takes you through the crime in a thought-out manner. Lots of detail here. Done by an experienced writer on criminal justice. From the crime to the court case and sentence, this book gets it done quite well....more
Walk in the shoes of Montana Barronette, a young gang leader in Baltimore. He started dealing drugs by the time he was thirteen, later taking over druWalk in the shoes of Montana Barronette, a young gang leader in Baltimore. He started dealing drugs by the time he was thirteen, later taking over drug turf when he was still very young. He was taken down by people he grew up with, some were former friends or competitors. A fast paced, stark read that’s full of background and inside information about the case.
From the court case, “You’re going to hear evidence that these individuals, this enterprise, killed people for money,” he said. “They killed people to protect their business; They killed people to grow their enterprise; and they killed or tried to kill people to silence them from cooperating with law enforcement witnesses.”...more
A story about a staggeringly evil doctor, Kermit Gosnell. He was found guilty of the murders of infants who were born alive during abortions he perforA story about a staggeringly evil doctor, Kermit Gosnell. He was found guilty of the murders of infants who were born alive during abortions he performed in his wretched medical building. He also had at least two patients who died after receiving botched abortions. It’s a real-life horror story beyond imagination that stayed with me after reading it....more
An excellent story written with heart. Experience one Ukrainian woman’s journey from her normal life through the ravages of war as her city is bombed.An excellent story written with heart. Experience one Ukrainian woman’s journey from her normal life through the ravages of war as her city is bombed. She and her dog manage to survive and get out to the Czech Republic with other refugees. Eventually, she is sponsored to come to Connecticut with her dog Yola....more
An interesting old true crime story about two 17 year old girls who went missing back in 1971 on their way to a party at a gravel pit. It details the An interesting old true crime story about two 17 year old girls who went missing back in 1971 on their way to a party at a gravel pit. It details the story over 40+ years of issues with the case, and the surprising ending when it did come decades later. Good investigative journalism bringing out the real truth....more
This was a memorable quick read that was well written and well meant. The word “inspiring” comes to mind quickly, as the author was such a workaholic This was a memorable quick read that was well written and well meant. The word “inspiring” comes to mind quickly, as the author was such a workaholic powerhouse prior to this accident. Her lessons learned are painful and enlightening, bringing me to tears by the end....more
This is a very in-depth look at the story behind the headlines of the tragic deaths that were so in the news at the time. If you ever wanted to know mThis is a very in-depth look at the story behind the headlines of the tragic deaths that were so in the news at the time. If you ever wanted to know more than the basic reporting when it happened, this is a really good book. It tells how the kids ended up with the Hart women, despite red flags. Also, it tells about some surprising laws and policies in place at the time that helped the situation happen....more
I enjoyed this read, but can’t help but feel that either I or my Kindle missed part of it. I was still confused at the end, so I may have to try a re I enjoyed this read, but can’t help but feel that either I or my Kindle missed part of it. I was still confused at the end, so I may have to try a re-read to get the full story this time...more
I found these poems which are inspired by true crime to be highly satisfying. Much better than I expected them to be, for something I’d never encounteI found these poems which are inspired by true crime to be highly satisfying. Much better than I expected them to be, for something I’d never encountered before. I just found them evocative and stirring, perhaps due to my grief and lack of sleep but I like them just the same....more
This is a heartbreaking book by a very determined lady. She suffered so much in her young life, but her resilience shines through. It’s frustrating toThis is a heartbreaking book by a very determined lady. She suffered so much in her young life, but her resilience shines through. It’s frustrating to see how this man was able to dodge responsibility his entire life for his crimes against children. But at least his story is being told now by someone he hurt, who has spent a long time finding her way back....more
I really liked this book about a cop who did undercover work in Oklahoma. He shares several different cases he worked on throughout his long career usI really liked this book about a cop who did undercover work in Oklahoma. He shares several different cases he worked on throughout his long career using both gravity and humor. There are plenty of surprises to keep it interesting. It's action-packed with some really wild stuff....more
This appears to be a well-researched book on a series of little-known South Florida murders in the 1970s. The possible culprits are many, including BuThis appears to be a well-researched book on a series of little-known South Florida murders in the 1970s. The possible culprits are many, including Bundy for a couple of them, and even spree killer Christopher Wilder, and a possibly a dirty cop, among others. A rogue’s gallery, for sure. But no charges have ever been pressed, and many of the possible perps have since died....more
The author writes about his life and how it changed after writing his book Gomorrah. In it, he spoke out against the Camorra mafia clan in Italy and hThe author writes about his life and how it changed after writing his book Gomorrah. In it, he spoke out against the Camorra mafia clan in Italy and had to go into exile in 2006. He’s been that way ever since, and has had to learn to live like that, both in Europe and the US. A quick reading graphic novel....more
This was quite an eye opening read. I’ve learned bits and pieces of some parts of this book in other books thru the years, including Rothmiller's. ButThis was quite an eye opening read. I’ve learned bits and pieces of some parts of this book in other books thru the years, including Rothmiller's. But nothing like this more detailed look behind the scenes, thanks to the release of many previously withheld documents of several law enforcement agencies. Sad to say, it just makes me feel even more hopeless for the situation our country has ended up in today, as you can see where some of it started way back. A good read for Sinatra fans, and those who enjoy revealing mob books....more
I really like this type of gangster book, and this one didn’t disappoint. The second in a series of three, it's one wild story, driven by his relationI really like this type of gangster book, and this one didn’t disappoint. The second in a series of three, it's one wild story, driven by his relationship or lack of one, with his mother. Michael Hardy goes above and beyond. He builds his cred as a mega-gangster trying to gain the unattainable. This kept me up late reading....more
Valerity (Val)
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2022
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