This was a sad yet uplifting and well-written book by Rory Feek of Rory and Joey fame, his second book sharing about his life. I was not aware of the This was a sad yet uplifting and well-written book by Rory Feek of Rory and Joey fame, his second book sharing about his life. I was not aware of the story of this pair until it came out that Joey was dying of cancer, leaving behind a devoted husband and baby daughter. That was about all I knew then. This book really helped to fill in the story and then some, sharing their beautiful love story and their strong faith, and telling how Rory is now raising Indiana. An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley & Edelweiss, author Rory Feek, and the publisher for my unbiased review.
Thomas Nelson Publication: June 19, 2018
Merged review:
This was a sad yet uplifting and well-written book by Rory Feek of Rory and Joey fame, his second book sharing about his life. I was not aware of the story of this pair until it came out that Joey was dying of cancer, leaving behind a devoted husband and baby daughter. That was about all I knew then. This book really helped to fill in the story and then some, sharing their beautiful love story and their strong faith, and telling how Rory is now raising Indiana. An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley & Edelweiss, author Rory Feek, and the publisher for my unbiased review.
This seems to be a well researched and written book about family tragedy that took us all by surprise and shock at the time it happened. It seemed likThis seems to be a well researched and written book about family tragedy that took us all by surprise and shock at the time it happened. It seemed like we watched Shannan’s Facebook videos over and over on an endless loop for days on end with all of the news and news shows. I’m not sure what was so fascinating about the horrific situation, but it was impossible to turn away when it was on, for me anyway. Hoping at first that Shannan and the girls would be found alive, of course. And then the complete horror when they were found. I’ve read many of Glatt’s works which have gotten markedly better over the years, as seen in this book, where he lets the story do the talking. Worth a read even though we know how it comes out. Advanced electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author John Glatt, and the publisher....more
**spoiler alert** his was an incredible read that I just couldn’t stop until I finished. Author Penny Farmer and her family had such a wrenching loss **spoiler alert** his was an incredible read that I just couldn’t stop until I finished. Author Penny Farmer and her family had such a wrenching loss when her 25-year-old new doctor brother Chris, and his lawyer girlfriend, 24-year-old Peta Frampton, from Manchester UK were tortured and killed in 1978. They loved to travel and had chosen to take a year off from studies and see the world. While on their trip they were good about calling and Peta wrote very long letters that she mailed when she got the chance. When a long period went by without word from either one of them, their families knew something was very wrong.
The parents reported the couple missing in Belize after getting Peta’s last letter saying that’s where they’d been and waited for any kind of word from authorities. Not knowing was the hardest thing, and everyone was on edge waiting to find something out about what happened to them. But back then it was so difficult to get information from other countries, especially when they’d been traveling on someone’s private boat. Penny’s parents did all they could though, making calls to anyone they thought could get somewhere. Her father found out that two European bodies were found floating in the sea near Guatemala, tied to heavy metal parts and were recovered in roughly the area that the missing pair had been reported missing. They were eventually identified by dental records as Chris and Peta and the wondering turned to devastation and shock.
This book is about the nearly 40 years it took for the families to get any kind of justice on the murders, as the person responsible seemed to have an uncanny kind of luck when it came to getting away with his crimes. Its an astonishing story with so many twists and turns that I was up all night reading it. Extremely moving, and for me, heartfelt, as I felt such a bond and connection having lost a brother too at a similar age, my only sibling…under awful circumstances in his late 20’s. I was in tears for the family by the third chapter, and cried for them all the way through. I know the pain and it’s enduring power. I’m so impressed by their strength and all they did to bring about the resolution they did get.
This is an amazing book, hard to read at times though how sadistic this killer was.. I lost my place and I grimaced at having to go back through the bad parts again to find where I’d left off. Reading it once was bad enough! Then I imagined how the families felt learning how their loved ones endured that and having nightmares about it afterward and my heart goes out to them. The least I can do is read about it. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by author Penny Farmer, and the publisher for my fair review....more
I’ve been very lucky with running into good music memoirs this year and this is another one I enjoyed, this time by Jonathan Cain. Who doesn’t (or didI’ve been very lucky with running into good music memoirs this year and this is another one I enjoyed, this time by Jonathan Cain. Who doesn’t (or didn’t) love the songs of the group Journey? Well at least if you are in my age group or grew up on their music. Here is a chance to learn about how lots of their music was written. Cain is responsible for many of my favorite hits, and I loved hearing about what was behind the writing of them. Also how he ended up in the band after working so long and hard to get a real start in something good after endlessly paying his dues it seemed. If you’re looking for a groupie groping tell-all, this isn’t it. It is, however a fascinating look at the music world and what can sometimes go on between band members that can fracture bands and long-term friendships that can be unseen from the outside. Things sometimes just don’t make any sense to anyone but the one member who remains obstinate and won’t be persuaded to play.
I found this to be a very engaging and poignant memoir by one of my favorite actresses. I thought it was beautifully and intelligeIn Pieces
I found this to be a very engaging and poignant memoir by one of my favorite actresses. I thought it was beautifully and intelligently expressed and really enjoyed listening to her reading of the audiobook. This was the 2nd night in a row I’d be staying up to listen to another book, and I’m sure I nodded off in a couple of places being so tired. So I plan to listen to it again to find any parts I may have missed.
I’ve always been aware that she is brave, but I’m really blown away by her ability to share the painful things she went through. Many of us can relate to growing up in a dysfunctional family and having self-esteem issues that she shares. Obviously, it goes beyond that for her, and she strives to rise above. She talked about her closely intertwined relationship with her mother, who often watched her children while she was working. Sally had even asked her mother to haunt her when she was dying. I liked getting her side of things on the relationship between her and Burt Reynolds (who passed away this year) having read a couple of his books and one by his first wife Judy Carne. I think anyone who likes Sally would really enjoy this book, an excellent biography.
I Ran With The Gang: My Life In and Out of the Bay City Rollers
This was a pleasant trip back to the mid-1970s the time when the group the Bay City RolI Ran With The Gang: My Life In and Out of the Bay City Rollers
This was a pleasant trip back to the mid-1970s the time when the group the Bay City Rollers were hot on the music charts. It turned out to be a well-written biography of the guy who started the band, Alan Longmuir, a plumber together with his younger brother Derek and cousin Neil Porteous. They had a lot of members who rotated in and then out of the band over the years. There’s an Introduction by Alwin Turner, a cultural and political historian. Then the good stuff starts in.
I enjoy reading these rock group biographies from that era because we are losing some of these guys and gals every year, and this was a good one. Sadly, Longmuir was among those who passed away in 2018 while working on his book. I enjoyed reading the heartfelt and humble story of his life before, during and after the band. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, authors Alan Longmuir with Martin Knight, and the publisher for my fair review.
Behind the Murder Curtain: Special Agent Bruce Sackman Hunts Doctors and Nurses Who Kill Patients
This is a quickly paced book that I really enjoyed abBehind the Murder Curtain: Special Agent Bruce Sackman Hunts Doctors and Nurses Who Kill Patients
This is a quickly paced book that I really enjoyed about a man who finds himself having to learn about investigating killers in the Veteran’s Administration hospitals that he is responsible for keeping crime covered in. When he’s made aware of a serial killer named Swango, he gets in gear to check it out and learn what he has to do to catch him and put him in check and prove the cases against him.
I’d read about the Swango case years ago, and this book interested me on how the author set up his protocol for catching him and any other Medical Serial Killers (MSK) like him in the future, and the program he used to log in the data that helped him do it. He also had teams of great people that helped him too, and Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Baden helped out and taught him a lot and got him going in the beginning, along with Dr. Rieders, who handed the toxicology testing. It goes on to tell about other cases they investigated such as Kristen Gilbert, Charles Cullen, Richard Williams, and Paul Kornak.
This is like a medical thriller with a serial killer but with multiple cases all through this guy’s career. It’s better than fiction. It’s one of my favorite kinds of books, where the good guy goes up against the bad guy (or gal) and catches them so they can’t kill anyone again. And these are our veterans these killers are murdering! So that makes it even worse, in my estimation. I found this to be a very good biography and true crime read if you like either of those categories or medical stuff. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Bruce Sackman, and the publisher for my fair review.
This was an interesting story about a twenty-something guy who is looking around for work after college. He finds this job where he starts outSmuggler
This was an interesting story about a twenty-something guy who is looking around for work after college. He finds this job where he starts out thinking he’s going to be editing a magazine when he leaves town and kisses his girlfriend goodbye. But the situation soon gets squirrely and turns out to really be about smuggling heroin.
Nicholas needs money badly since the rent is due, but he struggles with his conscience. It’s international drug smuggling after all. Plus there’s a lot of risk involved, depending on the country it could be as high as death. It’s quite a dilemma, the money is insanely good. Nick does make the greedy choice and gets involved, begins lying to his girlfriend about where he’s actually traveling to and what he’s doing on these trips. He’s working with others and things soon get very dicey, as if they weren’t already shady enough.
Smuggler tells the real story behind Orange Is The New Black. The story is a good one and is well written along with being a good moral lesson. It would work for both memoir readers and true crime readers. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Nicholas Fillmore, and the publisher for my fair review.
I like the writing in this, it’s quite good for the most part. I figured it was going to be a difficult read at times, but I had no idea what I was inI like the writing in this, it’s quite good for the most part. I figured it was going to be a difficult read at times, but I had no idea what I was in for, really. When Viral goes home to India after 15 months of study in the US, he is so happy to have time with his family again. He’s feeling surrounded by their love again when there is a sudden earthquake that and he finds himself trapped. He doesn’t know if his family was trapped too or not, as he was sleeping late. He figures with his savvy father in charge, he would have gotten the rest of the family out in time.
It was fraught with tension as Viral struggles yet uses his incredible determination to survive. There are parts of the book that become beyond painful. I had to stop reading a couple of times to let my feelings settle, I felt such empathy for what the writer was going through. I don’t want to give everything away, just suggest those who know they are very emotional about upsetting things think before choosing this one. With that said, it’s also an incredibly inspiring book to read. It shows how Viral endures, fights through his ordeal and after a while figures out his own way forward. This was a Goodreads Giveaway win. My thanks to the author and publisher and Goodreads. I’m under no obligation to post a review.
This is an awesome retrospective book on Queen’s 15 studio albums where each album is discussed by a panel of nineteen comprised Queen: Album by Album
This is an awesome retrospective book on Queen’s 15 studio albums where each album is discussed by a panel of nineteen comprised of Queen experts, rock journalists, musicians, music industry people and superfans put together by author Martin Popoff. Filled with tons of great rare photos and artwork from live performances and candid shots of the band. “Just in time for the 45th anniversary of their debut LP and biopic.” This was really enjoyable to go through and check out all of the albums and read the comments from the various panel members while looking at all of the pictures from back then.
It’s making me want to go see the new movie now. Hard to believe it’s been nearly 50 years since the band was formed. It’s a great choice for any Queen fan, with all of the pictures and commentary of the music experts and fans mixed in. I think most rock fans of this era would love it. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Martin Popoff, and the publisher for my fair review.
Pathological: The Murderous Rage of Dr. Anthony Garcia
“And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” - William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
This waPathological: The Murderous Rage of Dr. Anthony Garcia
“And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” - William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
This was an unusual and gruesome case about a serial killer in 2008 Omaha who turned out to have a crazy ~ nasty motive once they learned it. The book was good, following the cases along with investigator Derek Mois and others trying to find out who caused the murders that were so brutal and undeserved. Who stabs to death an innocent 11-year-old boy and a housekeeper? And why? He’s not done either. It holds the interest well as the pieces come out bit by bit. Lots of suspense and questions here. A very good true crime case for those who like this kind of book. One note I’d like to make when a main person in the book has a name with a questionable way of saying it, it’s nice to give the proper pronunciation to readers when they are going to continuously run into it all the way through the book. That did bug me a bit on this one. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, authors Henry Cordes & Todd Cooper, and the publisher for my fair review.
Publisher: WildBlue Press. 230 pages Publication: Dec 18th, 2018
My Mental Madness Memoir: The Provocative True Journey Through My Struggles with Mental Illness
The author shares her experiences with severe mental iMy Mental Madness Memoir: The Provocative True Journey Through My Struggles with Mental Illness
The author shares her experiences with severe mental illness in her life and the ways it affected her as she got into her teens and twenties going forward. A very moving story relating all of the frightening times she went through, not understanding what was happening to her or why her life kept falling apart. How she at last got things under control and made progress. A good read for memoir readers, those with an interest in or having family members with mental illnesses, especially multiple mental illnesses, a super honest, illuminating book on the topic. If you’ve never had or seen what real mental illness looks like, then you need to read this and get educated and help get rid of the stigma. This isn’t the Dark Ages anymore, folks. Stephanie was brave enough to share her story, honestly as possible and it’s not easy to listen to her painful hurting, and loneliness at times. She has some serious mental illnesses that messed up her life repeatedly until she got a handle on what the problem was, and that took many years. She wants her struggles to help others, and I really hope it does. A complimentary audio copy was provided by the author for my honest yet voluntary review.
RATING: 4/5 Stars
Note* I found the narration on the Audible well done by Lorri Heneveld
Ms. Herman’s book is about various assassinations through time and their supposed motives, and assassins. It discusses how some hFamous Assassinations
Ms. Herman’s book is about various assassinations through time and their supposed motives, and assassins. It discusses how some have political motives and other are more financial or religious. Some are hard to determine at all, some are done for attention or status. This book briefly covers many well-known assassinations, such as Kennedy, Mahatma Gandhi, Franz Ferdinand, Michael Collins, and many others. Below I show how it’s broken down into sections. It looks into motives, etc. but you are left to decide for yourself. It’s a good read for those who like true crime, and history. My thanks for the electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Sarah Herman, and the publisher for my fair review.
Stone Free: Jimi Hendrix in London, September 1966-June 1967
In many respects, Jimi changed the sound of rock far more than the Beatles. You know, theyStone Free: Jimi Hendrix in London, September 1966-June 1967
In many respects, Jimi changed the sound of rock far more than the Beatles. You know, they brought songwriting to rock and roll, but Jimi changed the sound of the guitar.
-- Pete Townshend
This is a great book for most any Jimi Hendrix fan, it focuses on the nine month period of time when he went to London and really changed the entire trajectory of his career. He worked his behind off developing everything from his wardrobe, his performing skills, expressing himself vocally, etc. Making use of every moment he morphed himself from a backup player to the headlining star he was meant to be. He got a bass player and a drummer, Noel Redding, and John “Mitch” Mitchell, and formed a trio, Jimi Hendrix and the Experience, and they rehearsed some songs until they felt they were ready to go on stage as an opener for another group. This is how he developed himself into a full act, moving from the back of the stage to the front. Then Chas Chandler, formerly of the group The Animals, along with Animals manager Mike Jeffery, who’d gotten Hendrix to go to London in the first place, and were co-managing him, got the band some work in France, Germany and in England to give them the experience they needed.
In October 1966 Chandler also got the band their first studio recording session for “Hey Joe”. Hendrix was still uncertain about his singing voice and wanted to bury the vocals under the music. Chandler wouldn’t allow it though and made Jimi turn the volume back down. Once he got that song down, they needed a song for the B side and Jimi was told he needed to write his own songs in order to get publishing royalties. So, no problem, Hendrix transitions from player to player/songwriter, boom. “He had attempted writing songs before, but the true flowering of Jimi Hendrix, composer, occurred after his move into Hyde Park Towers.” “Stone Free” was his first official composition for the Experience, written in the Hyde Park Towers a day or two after the initial “Hey Joe” session. Soon after, he was playing it in clubs and recording it. Other songs soon followed. Jimi also jammed with lots of other artists, many of whom were world famous names like Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, etc. His very shy, polite manner made him easy to get along with.
The book follows him through that whole period of time, as he transforms from a veritable unknown to someone everyone has heard of and are eagerly awaiting his show back in the US. My thanks for the electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Jas Obrecht, and the publisher for my fair review.
How to be Loved: A Memoir of Lifesaving Friendship
A rather uniquely written memoir about a woman who has a difficult time letting people get close. ShHow to be Loved: A Memoir of Lifesaving Friendship
A rather uniquely written memoir about a woman who has a difficult time letting people get close. She finds herself an addicted alcoholic from trying to chill out and fit in, then later has to go to groups to get free of it. But it’s at the groups that she makes her first real friends of her life, Allison is the main one, and she’s much older. As time goes by, and they talk a bit and she gets to know Allison, she feels herself opening just a bit to the idea of letting her in. They get along so well, and they are so good for each other, it’s not long before she feels herself opening more.
Then Allison shares with Eva that she’s ill with cancer, that it’s come back again and it’s likely terminal this time; she just wanted her to know since they have become close. They rely on each other. Eva for Allison’s mature advice, helping her stay sober and teaching her about friendship. Allison for Eva’s help when she was having bad days from chemo or radiation treatments and needed Eva’s assistance. This is a good book about friendship and learning how to ask for help and accept it. Sometimes that’s the hardest part of all, just admitting you need someone’s help. I was glad I read it. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Eva Hagberg Fisher, and the publisher for my fair review.
A sweet book of photos from the last hundred years of people in all sorts of situations kissing. I found this People Kissing: A Century of Photographs
A sweet book of photos from the last hundred years of people in all sorts of situations kissing. I found this book charming and a stroll back through history to turn its pages and wander down the years. It portrays people embracing and sharing a kiss, many are lovely old vintage photos. There is also text on the subject of kisses to set the stage. It fulfilled my expectations well for this type of photo book. It doesn’t take long to enjoy this if you are considering it. It is worth a look, for sure, or you may linger if you like. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, authors Barbara Levine & Paige Raimey, and the publisher for my fair review.
**spoiler alert** The Last Man Standing: Is Jack Daniel McCullogh
This book is ringing bells for me, I’ve read a book about the kidnapping/murder of Ma**spoiler alert** The Last Man Standing: Is Jack Daniel McCullogh
This book is ringing bells for me, I’ve read a book about the kidnapping/murder of Maria Ridulph somewhere along the way. It’s my second book by author Alan R. Warren. Parts are familiar about Maria having been out playing in the new falling snow with her friend Kathy, and the strange man showing up wanting to give them piggyback rides. This book is about Jack Daniel McCullogh who was later tried and convicted for the crime, wrongly he claims, and served time in prison for it. This all came about long after the crime with his mother, Eileen Tessier’s purported deathbed confession to his half-sister, Janet Tessier that he, Jack, had kidnapped 7-year-old Maria from their neighborhood back in Sycamore, Illinois back in December 1957 and killed her. After Janet contacts police, the case is reopened, and with some dirty dealing on the part of the prosecution, it leads to Jack’s conviction in 2008.
But there are those who believe in him and are working with him to overturn his conviction. There’s much more to it and it gets a bit crazy and even a bit repetitious at times, but the basic story is good. You get to decide for yourself after reading, did Jack do it, or not? In the end, this case deeply affected several families for over 50+ years, did the real killer get away with the crime? My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Alan R. Warren, and the publisher for my fair review.
* 3/5/2019 I am updating my review and changing my rating of this Series due to the last 2 "Books" not coming out in Nov & Dec 2018 to complete the st* 3/5/2019 I am updating my review and changing my rating of this Series due to the last 2 "Books" not coming out in Nov & Dec 2018 to complete the story which is really lame in my opinion. There was no statement to say it was being delayed, nothing. Very disappointed. It's not often I'm made to regret a recommendation, but this is one of those times. No one wants half of the story, but that's what we've gotten.
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Saving Annie: Book Two—The Investigator
Book Two picks up where the first one left off in the case of Rhonda Casto, and the investigation into her death on March 16th, 2009 and the prosecution beginning in 2015 and ending in 2017, of her boyfriend, Stephen T. Wagner Nichols, for her murder. The second book introduces paralegal Dardie Robinson, who gets thankfully gets involved, because this case was just sitting, basically. Once Robinson got involved and started her thorough work, she got things moving, as she was very intent on getting justice for Rhonda and protecting Annie. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, authors Steve Jackson with Tom McCallum, and the publisher for my fair review.
The Inheritance: Poisoned Fruit of JFK’s Assassination
When Christopher Fulton buys a gold Cartier watch that belonged to JFK and was part of the origThe Inheritance: Poisoned Fruit of JFK’s Assassination
When Christopher Fulton buys a gold Cartier watch that belonged to JFK and was part of the original assassination materials, it sets in motion something he never saw coming. A real page-turner. This book and the information in it is simply explosive. It changes everything I thought I knew about this period in time of American history. It's shocking. A must read. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, authors Christopher Fulton, Michelle Fulton, and the publisher for my fair review.
Valerity (Val)
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