iRead Book Tours Archives - Page 49 of 66

July 15, 2017

Appointment with Yesterday Book Review

Appointment with Yesterday is, ultimately, the story of hardships overcome and a determined boy’s journey toward finding his destiny.

About Appointment with Yesterday

A poignant and compelling first novel, Appointment with Yesterday tells the story of Yanni, a cheeky and delightful Greek boy growing up in a small town on an island in the eastern Aegean.

Left in the care of his loving grandparents, Yanni endures the deprivation and terror of the German occupation during World War II and finally leaves his beloved homeland and family to rejoin the parents who had left him behind to make a better life for themselves in America.

Filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming stories of love, devotion, disenchantment, and dashed dreams, Appointment with Yesterday is, ultimately, the story of hardships overcome and a determined boy’s journey toward finding his destiny.

My Thoughts

Appointment with Yesterday is a beautiful story that follows the life of Yanni from his youth growing up in Greece to his teenage and adult years in America.

His story is one that I am sure so many older adults and their children can relate to. His parents left him in the care of his grandparents just before the war erupted in Europe. They left him in order to find their way in America and make money. A struggle that so many people found themselves in, leaving their old country to come to the new country to make their fortune. What they find instead is a bit shocking, it is not the life that they expected and they struggled with this new life and leaving their son.

When it is time for Yanni to join his family, he faces his own struggles – he is leaving everything he has ever known in his young life to be with parents he does not know in a culture that is so very unlike his own. We watch him struggle to get used to the culture, the people and their way of life. Throughout the story you feel so connected with Yanni and his journey. You want him to succeed but at the same time to never lose his roots and where he came from.

I fell in love with this special book and have re-read it several times already. I cried (and I was reading this book at the soccer field when this happened!), I laughed and my heart went out to Yanni and his family. You feel as though you are a part of him and his family. You are with him as he struggles and you can fully appreciate every step, every happy moment and every moment of pain.

Appointment with Yesterday is a beautiful story of a young man who comes into his own in a new country and in a new way of life. It is full of hope, perseverance, strength and faith. It is a definite must read for young adults and adults alike.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository and Books a Million.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Christopher Stratakis was born and raised in Greece. After moving to America, he graduated from Drexel University in 1951 and New York University School of Law in 1955. Shortly after joining the law firm of Poles, Tublin & Patestides in 1960, he became a partner, specializing in admiralty and corporate law.

He has written and published several articles, lectured on professional and historical subjects, served as Legal Advisor to several non-profits (pro bono), and was an arbitrator in maritime disputes. He is the author of Mnimes “Memories” (2010), a book of essays, short stories, and poems that he wrote as a teenager. In 2015, he co-edited Chains on Parallel Roads, a book published by Panchiaki “Korais” Society of New York. In recognition of his extensive community involvement, he has been the recipient of several awards from religious, governmental, and educational institutions.

Mr. Stratakis lives with his wife in New York City. He is the proud father of three and grandfather of three. This is his first novel.

The Giveaway!

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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.

July 10, 2017

Three Days to Forever

In Three Days to Forever, Mac Faraday and Spencer’s small police force have to sort through the clues to figure out not only who has been targeted for assassination, but also who is determined to stop everything…forever!

About Three Days to Forever

With three days left to the year, Deep Creek Lake is hopping with holiday vacationers and wedding guests pouring into the Spencer Inn for Mac Faraday and Archie Monday’s huge wedding ceremony which is being touted as the social event of the year.

But droopy flowers and guests who failed to RSVP are the least of Mac’s and Archie’s problems when a professional hit squad hits Spencer Manor to send the groom, Joshua Thornton, Archie’s mother, and Gnarly running for their lives.

With time running out before the big day, Mac Faraday and Spencer’s small police force have to sort through the clues to figure out not only who has been targeted for assassination, but also who is determined to stop everything…forever!

My Thoughts

Three Days to Forever is another heart pounding, suspenseful mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat to the last-minute!

In this novel, we have our two main characters Archie and Mac Faraday about to tie the knot but what could possibly go wrong for this much talked about social event of the year? We find out a lot could go wrong! Every step closer to the altar brings disaster for the very much in love couple. And not the typical ordinary normal pre-wedding problems (even though they do have those!) – we are talking murder, shoot outs and more! Someone wants to put an end Mac Faraday’s marriage before it even starts.

Three Days to Forever is the perfect blend of suspense, mystery, murder and humour (yes humour!). Lauren develops characters that are realistic and individuals that you want to know. You want them to solve the mystery and you pray for their safe keeping throughout the novel. She has an amazing talent of drawing in characters from her other novels in a way that is fresh, unique and always has a tie to an old or new plot (I think this is my favourite part – I am not sure how she keeps track of all the connections!). You don’t have to worry if you have not read her previous novels, she includes a list of characters and their connections at the beginning of each book. You will fall in love with Lauren’s writing and attention to detail. Three Days to Forever is a definite must read for all mystery lovers!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Audible.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband and three dogs (including the real Gnarly’s klutzy nephew Sterling) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

The Giveaway!

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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.

June 28, 2017

Dead on Ice Book Review

Lauren Carr’s Audiobook-a-palooza Blog Tour continues with Dead on Ice! To celebrate the release of Lauren Carr’s mysteries in audiobook format, we have 14 books from her three series on tour!

About Dead on Ice

Spunky Cameron Gates is tasked with solving the murder of Cherry Pickens, a legendary star of pornographic films, whose body turns up in an abandoned freezer. The case has a personal connection to her lover, Joshua Thornton, because the freezer was located in his cousin’s basement. It doesn’t take long for their investigation to reveal that the risqué star’s roots were buried in their rural Ohio Valley community, something that Cherry had kept off her show business bio. She should have kept her hometown off her road map, too – because when this starlet came running home from the mob, it proved to be a fatal homecoming.

My Thoughts

Dead on Ice is another fantastic and well spun novel of mystery, suspense and murder by Lauren Carr!

This series focuses on the very unique, loving and witty Cameron Gates. She has faced her own tragedies in her past with the loss of her first husband and this has changed the way she views the world and even her relationship with Joshua Thornton. Joshua Thornton is the prosecuting attorney in their small town and is also connected to this murder mystery.

At the heart of this case we have Cherry who had left their small town to become famous in adult films. Her body is found in the basement of Joshua’s cousin home after the community helps gather to clean out the home after his cousin’s death. The discovery of the body (after a small explosion!) rocks the community and as the case evolves, we find ties to an unsolved case from many years ago.

I loved the many, many layers to this novel. It is not just your simple murder mystery, instead it has ties to another cold case, direct and indirect ties to several notable citizens in their community, the mob and many more. You are left guessing constantly throughout the novel and the ending was not what I expected at all – in fact it left me a bit shocked! Dead on Ice is well written, with great character development and an even better plot. You will love the story from start to finish – I could not put the book down.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Audible.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband and three dogs (including the real Gnarly’s klutzy nephew Sterling) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

June 12, 2017

Speaking with Strategic Impact Spotlight

Speaking with Strategic Impact is for business people who make their living—or their mark—through presentations long and short.

About Speaking with Strategic Impact

Speaking with Strategic Impact is for business people who make their living—or their mark—through presentations long and short.

It’s a must-read if you’re a consultant, analyst, pitch team leader, roadshow executive, technology specialist, project manager, internal or external marketer, sales rep, subject matter expert or innovator.

Do your presentations unexpectedly fall flat? Do others hijack your meetings? Do you spend more time compiling slide decks than actually influencing decision-makers? Has someone vaguely told you that you “should look more confident up there” or that you “lack gravitas”? Have you watched TED Talks but wonder how you can bring that level of effectiveness into real business presentations?

Speaking with Strategic Impact gives you the key to leadership presence and persuasion. More than just tips and tricks, it outlines a discipline for navigating real business situations with consistently superior outcomes that’s favored by top business schools and Fortune 500 companies. You’ll get specific strategic and tactical advice to keep you on the mark in your presentations and meetings—and differentiate you from the vast majority of business presenters.

Read Speaking with Strategic Impact to master the means by which you make a living and a difference in the world!

You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Author

Kate LeVan trains, coaches and collaborates on business communication effectiveness with major corporations worldwide and as an instructor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Her training consistently receives top ratings from executive development program participants for its simplicity, applicability and career-changing impact. Connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

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Disclosure: This is a spotlight post, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

June 1, 2017

The Lady Who Cried Murder

In The Lady Who Cried Murder, fame comes at a price. Some pay with their privacy. Others pay with their pride. Khloe Everest paid with her life.

About The Lady Who Cried Murder

Determined to get her pretty face in front of the cameras, Khloe Everest fakes an abduction only to make a grand entrance in the midst of a press conference held by Spencer’s Police Chief David O’Callaghan.

Three years later, after failing to catapult her notoriety into a long-lasting celebrity, Khloe Everest returns to Spencer upon her mother’s sudden death and seemingly finds another weapon to propel herself into the spotlight. Unfortunately, someone kills her before she can make this entrance.

In Lauren Carr’s sixth Mac Faraday Mystery, Mac and his friends come up against reality stars, politicians, has-beens, and wannabes. Mac also finds himself face-to-face with an old foe from his past who had managed to escape arrest during their last encounter. Now, Mac sees that his adversary has only become more powerful, and dangerous, with the passage of time.

Intent to not let this killer escape again, Mac and his friends need to put all of their talents together to put a stop to a cold-blooded lady killer.

My Thoughts

This Mac Faraday mystery is just as exciting and suspenseful as you have come to expect from Lauren Carr! She is an amazing author that draws you into the story, makes you fall in love with the characters (they feel like family!) and keeps you guessing right to the very end.

In this novel, we start off with a wanna be celebrity faking her abduction in order to make the news. Several years later, she still hasn’t found her fame and returns home to Spencer when her Mother dies. This is when she uncovers a secret that would propel her into the spotlight permanently but she pays for this secret with her life.

After the murder is discovered, Mac and his gang uncover layers of murders, politicians, lies and cover ups. Mac uncovers a tie to an old foe that he couldn’t arrest and this motivates him to solve this new mystery. He needs the help of his entire gang (including his furry members!) in order to solve these crimes that are twisted and hidden in cover ups.

This novel is amazing – you are left guessing right to the very end. It was an ending that I did not see coming at all! The plot is fast moving, unexpected and well written. The characters fully come alive in this novel – they are relatable, funny and ready for anything.

Lauren has another winner in The Lady Who Cried Murder – a definite must read in the Mac Faraday series.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Audible.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband and three dogs (including the real Gnarly’s klutzy nephew Sterling) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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