BOOK REVIEW: Albina 2nd Edition: A Windflower Saga Novella by Aleksandra Layland

This is the second edition of the novella Albina. Set in an early industrial age society, in a time not now and a world not of our own, it tells the story of the childhood and coming of age of a young woman named Albina, the only daughter of the main protagonists in "Far Haven" (Part III of the epic Windflower Saga trilogy). Albina is mixed race, a twin, and "a brain" (as her friends and cousins say it." From early childhood, she has an interest in science, especially chemistry, at a time when few women have yet entered these developing fields of study. Albina leaves home to pursue her studies. In the process, she also encounters her mother's indigenous culture and comes to grip with her identity and her faith. Romance beckons and Albina must also come to grips with what love really means. A charming and sweet story told by Albina herself. The second edition includes several color illustrations.

AVAILABLE NOW AT AMAZON!

REVIEW

Albina has been revamped by the author in this rare special 2^nd edition. The story remains the same as Albina focuses on Loris and Keridwen’s daughter from the third Windflower Saga book FAR HAVEN A QUEST FOR CERTITUDE. A QUEST FOR JUSTICE. Written in 1^st person Layland capture Albina’s voice with such sweet intelligence you will fall for her instantly. Read my previous review here.

As bonus pictures have been added giving Albina that special 2^nd edition lure. Luring in new and old readers alike.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aleksandra Layland is a retired civil engineer and federal civil servant who worked primarily for the United States Air Force as a senior installation engineering manager responsible for buildings, airfields, infrastructure, fire protection, and emergency preparedness. She also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Western Caroline Islands where she helped build school classrooms and cafeterias, low-income housing, and simple village water distribution systems. Her other interests include arts and crafts, family genealogy, religion, and spirituality, fostering peace in the world, and enjoying retirement with family and friends.

The Windflower Saga series is comprised of the following volumes which trace the lives of members of the fictional Ansgar ducal family against a background of struggles between forces such as good and evil, love and hate, and war and peace. The series is a unique blending of traditional love stories and adventure and action stories in an "other world" setting, with serious spiritual and moral themes which are addressed in an overall uplifting tone. For all that the characters may face harsh realities, the story of the Ansgar family is a happy one.

Part I of the Trilogy:

"Ansgar: The Struggle of a People. The Triumph of the Heart."

Novellas and Stories Related to Part I:

"The Feathered Crown"

"Far Endeavor"

"Three Brothers of Ansgar"

"Bright Star, A Pony of the Kimbrii, A Windflower Saga Story for Kids"

"Tiyo, The Dog Who Saved Ansgar, A Windflower Saga Story for Kids"

Part II of the Trilogy:

"Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace."

Novellas and Stories Related to Part II:

"Bind Not the Heart"

"Leofric of Longridge"

"Keri and Kalina, A Windflower Saga Chapter Book"

"Golden Skye of Ansgar, A Windflower Saga Middle Grade Novel"

Part III of the Trilogy:

"Far Haven: A Quest for Certitude. A Fight for Justice."

Novellas and Stories Related to Part III:

"Albina"

"Courage of Ansgar"

"Swords of Ansgar"

(being written) "The World of The Windflower Saga, An Illustrated Companion and Author's Commentary"

BOOK REVIEW: An Introduction to 4 Dietary Lifestyles - A Guide to the Paleo, Keto, Vegan and Okinawa Diets by Yanjuan Lou

The latest book by Yanjuan Lou, An Introduction to Four Dietary Lifestyles; A Guide to the Paleo, Keto, Vegan, and Okinawa Diets, is the type of book that the dieting industry has long feared to explode onto the scene.

Everyone who has any interest in dieting has already heard about the paleo, keto, vegan, and Okinawa diets – but very rarely are these diets explained in full without bias towards one over the other. It’s no secret that every diet under the sun won’t work for everyone, and Yanjuan Lou has put together a comprehensive guide to each diet without pulling any punches or playing favorites. She leaves the final choice up to you for which diet you want to commit to, and whichever diet you chose, Yanjuan’s advice remains as practical and poignant as ever. If you’ve struggled to stick with a diet in the past or didn’t know which diet would work best for you specifically, then stop fantasizing about finding the right book to help you, because it is in your hands right now!

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON & BARNES & NOBLE

REVIEW

If you have ever wondered why every diet fad you tired has failed then you need this book. Yanjuan takes the 4 top trending diets today and offers you a little history and answer key on how to be successful on each of these diets. It is really interesting as Yanjuan pulls the veil up behind these popular diets learning that they’ve been around for some time.

 You learn it's not really a diet at all but a lifestyle change which remains prominently the key to the success of all your diets really. I love how Yanjuan stresses this in her book. Besides talking about each of these diets you also get meal plan ideas for each diet. What to do when dining out whether its Italian, Mexican or Chinese. 

A grand book to acquire if you are planning on starting any of these trending diets.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yanjuan Lou was born in Shenyang, China. China is a very conformed society with an extremely low tolerance for mediocrity or mistakes. She has spent most of her time in China being told what to do, then doing it. This was just how things were there. Before she left China on a personal quest, she had written non-fiction books. The topics she usually used to write about were often related to health, beauty products, and financing. Her husband, daughter, and herself–moved to California in 2015. By then, she was ready to leave China behind— not for good—but at the time, it matched with where she was in her life. Besides, while visiting the U.S., she realized that if she really was going to spread her message and enter a new phase of life, she needed to relocate away from her past. She dabbled in a few different jobs after moving to the U.S. She was a customer service representative for a travel agency, and then later, she got a second job as a model for the occasional magazine ad and the like. However, neither of these was very fulfilling. Even worse, they were extremely stressful. They ate up all of her time, paid marginally well at best, and were beyond demanding. She hit a point where she couldn’t take it anymore. She has left those jobs behind and has finally decided to return to her passion for writing. She truly believes in her heart that a person, regardless of age, culture, family inventions, can learn to live in harmony with themselves.

BOOK REVIEW: Heavenly Mist, Earthly Dew: Poetry, Photography, and Reflections by Kimberlee J. Benart

This small collection of poetry was inspired by the Baha'i Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in and near Haifa, Israel. The poems vary in style. While some reflect the spiritual aspects of pilgrimage, others address broader issues of life. In addition, some photography and poetry are included that reflect the author's homes in Virginia and Africa.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON AND BARNES & NOBLE

REVIEW

An alluring book of poetry, photography, and reflections inspired by her pictures from her pilgrimage and visit to the Bah’ ai gardens. Each of her poems tells a story, and Benart writes her poetry, some in classic a rhythmical style, while others are more modern style.  My favorite has to be “Roundabout on a Straight Path.” We are then greeted with more photography images from her trip to the gardens which are truly beautiful. Then it transitions into a personal reflection of what it all meant to her in her pilgrimage that inspired this whole book. A beautiful book to have on your coffee table.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ms. Kimberlee J. Benart graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. She retired from Federal civil service in 2009 after more than 35 years as a senior installation engineering manager primarily for the United States Air Force and worked at military installations in Japan, Germany, Italy, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia (The Pentagon). She is also a former Peace Corps Volunteer (Civil Engineer) for the Palau Islands (now the Republic of Belau). She received numerous awards and recognition during her federal career, including a NATO Medal, Exemplary Civilian Service Medal, and Civilian Career Service medal. Ms. Benart's other interests include family genealogy, arts and crafts, sustainable small-scale farming, and religion and spirituality. She is married to research mathematician and composer Peter O. Sagay.

BOOK REVIEW: FirePath (The Rose Prophecy, Book 1) by Sidney Nesti

When 16-year-old Jude Turner bikes home from school, in New Jersey, she doesn’t expect that she’s about to be murdered. Well, almost murdered. The gray-haired man who attacked her disappeared into nothing like a ghost after calling her ‘Scion of Fire’. And why did he say she must die or she’ll destroy the whole world? The only one who has the answer is a frail child, alone in a dark prison, and he appears in Jude’s mind crying, calling her ‘sister’, pleading for her help. Jude never had a brother, and her older sister Sylvia abandoned her after their mother died. That’s why Jude will not abandon that desperate child – she will free him. But is he really a child? Or rather something ancient and vengeful? Now she’s on a dangerous quest that takes her from Jersey to a Pueblo in Arizona and then to Italy, Prague, and China. Together with her self-centered sister and a Romani alchemist, Jude must fight demons and struggle to master the mystical forces growing inside her. If she fails, she will die. If she succeeds, the world may come to an end.

     AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON & HUDSON WRITERS

REVIEW

You have to love fantasy that hooks you at first page. Firepath does just that and does not disappoint all the way through. Firepath is filled with fantasy, suspense, and supernatural with tons of travel.

In Firepath gruesome murders of mediums is discovered in Turin, Italy. Back in New Jersey, we meet 16-year-old Jude a budding athlete on her way home from a practice game only to finds out she might be better off dead. Then the dreams start of a child who calls her sister and pleads to be saved. Filled with emotions for this child Jude chooses to set out to find him. What will she find though? A real child? Or something else?

A Fantastical debut for Nesti! Perfect for all ages. It is a book you are going to want to read again and again!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sidney Nesti started her career as an author writing academic works, and only later in life decided to dedicate herself to creative writing. Firepath is her first fantasy novel, and also the first in a series on which she continues to work. After years spent in New York, she recently moved back to the West Coast and she is now living in Seattle with her kids. To her stories, she brings her love for travel, for anthropology and her Italian and American cultures.

Learn more about Fire Path (The Rose Prophecy, Book 1) visit:  http://www.hudsonwriters.com/RoseProphecy/index.html

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BOOK REVIEW: Dunstan, A Knight of Crozby by Ronnda Eileen Henry

Dunstan is a common-born knight originally from the region of Crozby in the Kingdom of Penruddock. Orphaned as a child, he enlists as a man-at-arms at the age of sixteen and travels to a colonial outpost to defend it against attacks. After twelve years, he won not only the rank of knight but also that of knight commander. He's finally ready to return to Crozby and claim his parents' farmstead when he's called upon to rescue Annagret, the young daughter of a blacksmith. Annagret has been kidnapped by a renegade knight named Sir Arnold who plans to sell her to slavers as payback for her rejection of his dishonorable attentions. In the struggle, Arnold is killed. Dunstan and Annagret are forced to remain together overnight due to a terrible storm. When he returns her to her father the next day and delivers Arnold's body to the outpost commander with a report of what occurred. the tongues begin to wag. Annagret's reputation, which was heretofore spotless, is ruined. Dunstan offers marriage but she rejects it, not wanting to burden him with a common-born wife who can bring him little when he might now seek the daughter of a knight or an earl and increase his status and standing in the future. But the tongues still wag and Dunstan must make a practical choice. Will true love ever find its way?

AVAILABLE NOW AT AMAZON AND BARNES AND NOBLE

REVIEW

Dunstan, A Knight of Crozby is book 2 in her soon to be called Knights of Pendurrock series, we meet Dunstan a commoner who worked his way up to knighthood. After a kidnapping of the blacksmith's daughter by a fellow knight ends up in murder nasty rumors rise up about him and the blacksmith's daughter Annagret. Dunstan offers a proposal to her to stop the rumors and save her dignity. Annagret rejects, but when a return to Pendurrock arises another proposal of convenience is offered and Annagret accepts this time, but can a marriage of convenience turn into love?

Henry writes Dunstan in the 1st person which is a switch from her normal 3rd person perspective.  It works well, though as Dunstan is a gobble up book to read. It is such sweet enchanting tale.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her two favorite authors are Jane Austen and Aleksandra Layland. She has the heart of a romantic and believes romance is for people of any age. Sweet romance is her favorite, whether it's for a teenager or a person in middle age.

Retired now, she lives in Florida.

BOOK REVIEW: Meditation Routine: Clear your Mind and Reboot by Yanjuan Lou

Aѕ little as it is, Meditation Routine – Clеаr уоur mind, Rеѕеt аnd Reboot, bу Yanjuan Lоu is a guide to the basic principles of meditation, brief hiѕtоrу of Chinese meditation, why уоu ѕhоuld meditate, diffеrеnt ways we can mеditаtе, and how mеditаtiоn саn роѕitivеlу аffесt bоth physical

and mеntаl hеаlth. Stretching from productivity and focus to ѕtrеѕѕ аnd аnxiеtу relief, ѕlеер, wеight-lоѕѕ, реrѕоnаl relationships e.t.c. Yanjuan ѕuреr-imроѕеѕ thiѕ оld рrасtiсе into оur modern lives and takes you оn a jоurnеу intо mindfulnеѕѕ.

In thiѕ bооk, сrеаtеd еѕресiаllу for bеginnеrѕ, Yanjuan оffеrѕ a ѕtrаightfоrwаrd, step-by-step method fоr bringing mеditаtiоn intо уоur life. 

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON and BARNES&NOBLES

REVIEW

The best most simplistic Meditation guide book I have ever read. If you are interested in starting meditation in your life or have started and want clarity to get this book! Yanjuan writes with an energy of wisdom that is simple and clear. In Meditation Routine we learn what meditation is and its goal. We learn the different types of meditation (Yanjuan teaches us the Chinese form of meditation). We learn meditation is more than just sitting crossed leg and chanting mantras as there is a wonderful section for all those who say they would like to meditate and can’t. Surprise you can! This section is awesome and you just will have to read it yourself to find out how you don’t have to remain still to meditate. The only downside is I wish this book was on Audible. It would be perfect.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yanjuan Lou was born in Shenyang, China. China is a very conformed society with an extremely low tolerance for mediocrity or mistakes. She has spent most of her time in China being told what to do, then doing it. This was just how things were there. Before she left China on a personal quest, she had written non-fiction books. The topics she usually used to write about were often related to health, beauty products, and financing. Her husband, daughter, and herself–moved to California in 2015. By then, she was ready to leave China behind— not for good—but at the time, it matched with where she was in her life. Besides, while visiting the U.S., she realised that if she really was going to spread her message and enter a new phase of life, she needed to relocate away from her past. She dabbled in a few different jobs after moving to the U.S. She was a customer service representative for a travel agency, and then later, she got a second job as a model for the occasional magazine ad and the like. However, neither of these was very fulfilling. Even worse, they were extremely stressful. They ate up all of her time, paid marginally well at best, and were beyond demanding. She hit a point where she couldn’t take it anymore. She has left those jobs behind and has finally decided to return to her passion for writing. She truly believes in her heart that a person, regardless of age, culture, family inventions, can learn to live in harmony with themselves.

BOOK REVIEW: The Daughters of Penruddock (A Romance Collection) by Ronnda Eileen Henry

The Daughters of Penruddock is a collection of seven romance novellas set in the medieval-like secondary world of the island continent of Penruddock. Each story features a sweet romance with protagonists of varying social class depending on the occupations of their fathers. Most are young; one is a widow with a grown son. All face one challenge or another on the road to finding their happily ever after. Although living in a time when women are limited in their options for education and occupation, many challenge societal norms in one way or another. All offer a character and personality with her own unique qualities, such as kindness, determination, courage, steadfastness, good humor, thoughtfulness, artistic capability, and intellectual curiosity. These are sweet romances suitable for both adult and young adult readers.

    AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE

REVIEW

Daughters of Penruddock is the collection of all 7 of those sweetly romantic “So in so Daughter” romance novella’s by Ronnda Eileen Henry(I've reviewed all 7).

 Each story is a tale of its own set in the same medieval-style fantasy world of Penruddock where kings and queens rule, and society has its standards that all are supposed to live by. Each heroine of each tale, though defies those set standards of women, causing a change in her world and finding the love that she deserves. Fiona, the Navigators Daughter is my favorite.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her two favorite authors are Jane Austen and Aleksandra Layland. She has the heart of a romantic and believes romance is for people of any age. Sweet romance is her favorite, whether it's for a teenager or a person in middle age.

Retired now, she lives in Florida.

Book Review: Edmund, A Knight of Selby by Ronnda Eileen Henry

At sixteen, Edmund literally rides away from Selby and a marriage his parents have planned with the daughter of their long-time friends who live in the north of Selby. Instead, he takes a junior officer's commission in the Palace Guards and embarks on his long-held dream, that of becoming a knight and a knight commander and fighting against the enemies of Penruddock. Twenty years later, he and a force of Penruddian knights and men-at-arms are sent to a far colony to rescue the widow and children of the colonial governor, who was recently assassinated by warring tribes, and bring them and other colonists to safety. To Edmund's surprise, the widow will prove to be no stranger and he will be immediately attracted to her. But can she forgive the slight he offered her and her family all those years before?

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE

REVIEW

The Queen of the romance novella’s Flowers of Penruddock and Daughters of Penruddock has returned and this time it’s the men’s turn.

We meet Edmund, betrothed to his parents’ best friends’ daughter. Edmund though has dreams of being a Knight and has no interest in marriage. His parents’ bests friend’s daughter Nelly is not too keen on the idea either. So, when Edmund gets a proposal to be a knight, he takes it and leaves. Each goes on to have a life, marriage, children to only sadly end in widow-hood. Then danger reunites them back together and, in their reunion, see each other in a new light now. Is love blooming?

A superbly sweet tale set in medieval times about when love gets a second chance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her two favorite authors are Jane Austen and Aleksandra Layland. She has the heart of a romantic and believes romance is for people of any age. Sweet romance is her favorite, whether it's for a teenager or a person in middle age. Retired now, she lives in Florida.

BOOK REVIEW: Fifty Ways to Slay by Jerry Belitch

Fantasia Seele has always been naive, but nothing can prepare her for the day she meets notorious serial killer Tristan Shay. Tristan leads a disturbing lifestyle and has a dark past to go along with it. From the moment the two encounter one another, it's love at first sight, and the killer agrees to take Fantasia under his wing and introduce his new protege to his sick world. While learning more about her new man and the lifestyle he's created for himself, Fantasia soon finds they share the same violent tendencies, and bond over Tristan's preferred sexual method, necrophilia, becoming inseparable in the process.

A parody of the wildly popular Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, Fifty Ways to Slay tells a twisted love story that proves no matter what your background, we can all be seduced by the dark side.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON AUDIOBOOK & BARNES & NOBLE

REVIEW

 If your loved Fifty Shades of Grey then you just might fall for Fifty Ways to Slay. Albeit being a darkly twisted parody on Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy, think the Joker and Harley Quinn meet Fifty Shades of Grey and you kind of get what Fifty Ways to Slay is all about. Here we meet Fantasia (a not so virgin) who fills in for her bestie and fellow journalist friend “Kate”(sound familiar) to interview the infamous serial killer Tristan Shay. It is love at first sight and from there we are taken on a walk down a dark twisted BDSM romance tale that will make you cringe with intrigue. Soon will find yourself drawn in…and we like it.

While twisted and a bit disturbing this read is I cannot deny the overall superb writing. Beltich has your love at the first page just like Tristian and Fantasia. It has been a while I got totally lost in a book and Beltich does that.  A guilty pleasure read for sure.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jerry Belitch is an author, satirist, and stand-up comedian who spends his time juggling a variety of projects including books, music, and film. His latest releases are the singles “I Just Want to Give You Pleasure,” a parody of Zayn's “I Don't Want to Live Forever,” ft. Taylor Swift, “Poser,” a parody of The Chainsmokers' “Closer,” ft. Halsey, and the EP Intention, which features parodies of Justin Bieber, OMI, Walk The Moon, and Flo Rida. All music is available on iTunes. Population: One, a satire of the 2008 presidential election, was also published in 2012. Visit his website, www.jbelitch.com for more information and to sign up for his newsletter. 
follow Jerry on social media at Twitter:@parodyjerry ,  and Facebook:/parodyjerry