Category: book review

The Schwarzschild Radius by Gustavo Florentin Review & Giveaway

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Murder, suspense and mystery collide in The Schwarzschild Radius by Gustavo Florentin.

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About The Schwarzschild Radius

Rachel is an eighteen year old Columbia University student who descends into the worlds of runaways and predators to find her sister, Olivia, who has suddenly disappeared. After trying to follow Olivia steps, Rachel finds herself obtaining a job in the adult industry, the same one Olivia worked prior to her disappearance. She discovers that Olivia had begun to perform private shows in the homes of her rich clients. Rachel discovers her sister has been abducted by a murderer who auctions the deaths of the young girls in an eBay of agony. As she closes in on the murderer, Rachel becomes his next target.

About Gustavo Florentin

Gustavo Florentin was born in Queens, New York and received his Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He spent a decade in the defense industry working on the F-14 fighter jet and classified electronics projects. He then moved on to the financial sector in New York where he is currently a network engineer. His passions include the violin, travelling to exotic places and exploring world-wide conspiracies. He lives in New Jersey where he is working on his third novel.

My Thoughts

I wanted to start of by saying this is a very intense book but will not be suited to all people. It is graphic at times and discusses topics of an adult nature. The criminal aspect of the novel while interesting (kind of like a Criminal Minds episode) but is much more graphic due to the nature of the book. It is definitely geared towards an older target group so please keep that in mind if you are looking for a book for teens and older youth. It can be at times hard to read due to the gruesome criminal activity.

I love a good suspense and The Schwarzschild Radius delivers that to the fullest. Gustavo Florentin has an excellent way of building up the story and keeping you guessing in every direction. There were several times in the novel where I had thought I had figured out the murderer but each time I was wrong. He throws in several twists to the story and I love how he brings in the relationship between Olivia and her sister (whom she only recently discovered) in Thailand. It adds a whole new element of suspense and mystery to the novel.

While at times I was frustrated and angry with Rachel for the choices she makes in order to find her sister, I also admire her courage and strength in doing so. She makes poor choices in order to solve the mystery and at many times is told by authorities to keep herself safe and let them handle it but yet she still perseveres. She is a strong, bright young woman but her life could have been made much harder. The lives of Olivia and her sister in Thailand are struggles that many women face. Her sister is Thailand is sold and forced to work in an industry against her will. She will do anything to escape her life.

Again, while the book can be gruesome at times Gustavo keeps those  moments brief and to the point. It is still a great read that many will enjoy.

Rating: 4/5

The Giveaway!
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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Start Fresh in 2015 with The Gluten Free Cookbook from DK Canada

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Starting a gluten free diet can be extremely difficult and overwhelming. There is so much to learn, change and adapt to. This applies not only to yourself but to all the family members in your home. When I cook at home not only do the meals have to accommodate my gluten free status but still meet the likes of the family – no tough task there right?!

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DK Canada presents The Gluten Free Cookbook with a collection of over 200 gluten free recipes. The recipes are broken down by meal and contains a full nutritional break down to help assist you with eating a well-balanced meal.

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My favourite features of this book:

  • easy to follow recipes (directions are short, direct and to the point)
  • ingredients are all easily found in your home
  • wealth of information in the beginning of the book including: finding hidden gluten, a balanced gluten free diet, how to set up a gluten free kitchen and how to eliminate gluten
  • recipes broken down by meal (breakfast, appetizers, soups, pastas, meat,etc)
  • delicious variety of recipes (no getting bored here!)

IMG_1646I made the lasagna (mmmm yummy!) and British breakfast frittata – talk about delicious! Both recipes were simple, nutritious and satisfied every member of our house (bonus!).

Following a gluten free diet is no easy task but DK Canada makes it that much easier for their readers to adopt this lifestyle with a breakdown of recipes and helpful tools to follow a gluten free diet.

What have you struggled the greatest with since going gluten free?

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Elizabeth Camden Beyond All Dreams Kindle Fire Giveaway & Author Chat Party #LitfuseReads

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Travel back in time to the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress in Elizabeth Camden’s newest release, Beyond All Dreams. From the gilded halls of the Capitol where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation’s finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they’ve ever dreamed for their futures?

Elizabeth is celebrating the release of Beyond All Dreams with a Kindle giveaway and Facebook party on February 17.

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A Kindle Fire
  • One copy of Beyond All Dreams

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 2/17. Winner will be announced at Elizabeth’s 2/17 Beyond All Dreams Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Elizabeth and historical fiction fans, as well as for the opportunity to win some great prizes!


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{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 17th!

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I Choose You Today by Deb DeArmond #LitfuseReads

Marriage is a blessing between two people that we have to continuous work on every day. Marriage is a decision we make to love our spouse and to honour, respect and communicate openly with them. I Choose You Today by Deb DeArmond is an incredibly important read for all married couples and those soon to be married.

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About I Choose You Today

Deb DeArmond has been married for thirty-eight years and knows a lot when it comes to marriage. Every day her and her husband make the spoke declaration, I Choose You Today. This declaration is a regular part of their constant communication. When we do not feel like saying these words that is when it is most important to remind ourselves that love is a choice not a feeling. I Choose You Today features thirty-one scriptural principles that work to support marriage and help couples to develop healthy bible based behaviour.

Built on an introductory anecdotal story, each chapter has an inspirational take away of not only what to do but how to apply these principles immediately. Thought provoking questions create talking points for couples to explore their own choices and experiences to generate open dialogue. I Choose You Today is not a book of “should do” but one of choices that each individual can make in their marriage and align it with God. Every chapter ends with an inspirational quote.

My Thoughts

My marriage and my husband are two of the most important things in my life. Every day we work towards building a stronger relationship and partnership. He knows me better than any one else I have ever met. He knows by just looking at me when I am hurt, sad or feeling down and always tries to make my day that much better. In the almost twelve years we have known each other we have had our own share of ups and downs. And the downs can hit hard. It is during these moments when our relationship is tested the most. I know I am guilty of occasionally not fighting fair.

I loved the openness of her book. She lets you into their marriage and relationship with complete honesty and uses their marriage to give guidance and understanding. She shares the struggles that others face and that many of us are currently facing right now. She breaks down each chapter by “I Choose You” to honour, love and so on. Sometimes it is hard to forget how to honour, love, respect our spouse. I love my husband with all my heart but with the daily struggles of getting by I can forget to tell him so. It is important to remember to make this part of our daily lives no matter how busy we become. She ends each chapter with a closing prayer and inspirational quote. The best part is you can read the chapters together or separately but they are all conversation starters for yourself and your spouse.

This is a definite must read for all married couples and those soon to be married. Deb explores each topic and reminds us that our marriage is one of the most important choices we will make in our life.

Rating: 5/5

Marriage Challenges!

Sign up online at I Choose You Today Challenge. There are two challenges:

Valentine’s Day Challenge: February 1-28

The ‘I Choose You’ Challenge: March 1 – December 31, 2015

Each challenge is slightly different and you will receive emails from Deb. Each challenge looks at building the relationship between your spouse and yourself.

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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New from Quilts of Love | A Stitch in Crime Kindle Fire Giveaway!

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Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott. Thea’s first quilt show begins to fall apart at the seams. Will she be able to piece the mystery together and save the town’s investment in the quilt show before another attack happens . . . with far worse results.

Enter to win a Kindle HDX!

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One winner will receive:

  • A Kindle HDX
  • A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott
  • Masterpiece Marriage by Gina Welborn
  • Swept Away by Laura V. Hilton and Cindy Loven

Enter today by clicking the button below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 8th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog February 9th.

 

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NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.

Enter today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Coming next week will be my review of, A Stitch in Crime!

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