Book Review: Abridged Edition: Far Haven: A Quest for Certitude. A Fight for Justice (Part III of the Windflower Saga) By Aleksandra Layland

This is an abridged edition of "Far Haven: A Quest for Certitude. A Fight for Justice. (Part III of the Windflower Saga trilogy). Abridged by the author. Set in a time not now and in a world, not of our own. Centuries have passed since the Kingdom of Kimbria became a crowned republic. Peace and prosperity foster its entrance into an age of scientific discovery and early industrial development. Even so, pirates and crime rings continue to operate throughout the region, and injustice still rears its ugly head. A man sick in body, mind, and spirit stands on the deck of a steamship approaching the southern coast of Kimbria. He’s traveled far to come here. Disgraced and dishonored in his own homeland, convicted of a crime he can’t even remember, he’s lost any hope in his future. All he can think of now is silencing the screams he hears in the nightmares that disturb his sleep. Married by proxy and in name, only to a widow he’s never met, exiled from all he holds dear, he can’t imagine that the rugged cliffs before him will lead the way to love, healing, and justice.

                   AVAILABLE AT AMAZON

Review

Having read the original, I was able to read Far Haven in 2 days instead of 3 or 4…or more days. Still, I am not sure what exactly Layland took out. The story though does seem more straightforward. All the great key elements that made Far Haven so great and engrossing are still intact.

We meet Tribune Loris Kennet who gets himself quite in a pickle. Problem is he does not remember it. Others do and accuse him of a horrible crime. He is banished from his homeland. A hot mess and addicted to drugs and booze due to these horrid nightmares he has had. Loris is then for safety purposes is married off (just for appearances) to an unknown widow in another country. Kerriwen the widow though finds out his drug habit and helps to heal him. In the process, he discovers the truth behind the crime he was told he committed. It is then a quest for justice as in the midst Loris starts to fall for Kerriwen. Does she for him? You are going to have to read this epic tale yourself. 

If you are worried you might not be able to follow along since its book III do not worry. You do not have to read the first two book to really understand the story. Reading them in order though tells the tale of the long ducal family line of Ansgar in their world not of our own. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aleksandra Layland is a retired civil engineer and a 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"

Book Review: How to Draw with Photorealism: Drawing and Shading by Jasmina Susak

This book will help you improve your drawing and shading skills. You will learn how to apply pencils for a realistic, professional result correctly. The famous pencil artist and art teacher, Jasmina Susak, will demonstrate for you the techniques of drawing lifelike portraits and 3-dimensional objects. No matter what your experience level is, you can draw by following these easy step-by-step demonstrations. Whether you want to create drawings of fruits, learn how to draw water droplets or how to draw a face, eyes, nose, and lips, these drawing techniques and expert tips will show you how to get great results with graphite pencils.

Using her simple and unique approach to lifelike drawings, the author makes any subject approachable. You will also learn how to create smooth human skin, and straight and curly hair through the highly detailed tutorials.

In this book, you will find more than 200 high-quality images with all the visible details and written explanations for each step. If you want to take your drawings to the next level, this is the book for you. With the skills mastered from this book, you will be able to draw anything with ease, and you will be enriched with professional tips and advice that you will be able to take with you and apply to your future drawings.

AVAILABLE NOW! ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Jasmina believes everyone has the talent to draw. Some may need a little guidance more than others. Her art is so beautiful it is hard to believe! I decided to take up that challenge though. I would say I have a fair art talent, but with Jasmina’s guidance, I surprised myself once again. Her guidance is soft and kind and she gives her readers a feel of confident even though our piece may not have turned out the best on the first try. Jasmina is like the Bob Ross of art tutorials. This is why I love all her art books. She writes with such a confident tone believing in her readers, and whoever will pick up her books to learn from her. That is why her books stand out as the best from the rest.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jasmina Susak is a self-publishing author, a self-taught pencil artist and art teacher. She has sold more than 50,000 copies of her how-to-draw books, and they are translated into many languages. Jasmina's drawing videos have more than 100,000,000 views on social media, and she has more than 500,000 fans, followers, and subscribers worldwide.

 www.jasminasusak.com

Book Review: Don’t Stand Still by Jack O. Daniel (The Colour Series Book 3)

Ruby Iris Williams, White's friend with benefit, staggers into his house with a critical gunshot wound to her stomach. She is barely clinging to life; fortunately, help arrives at his place in record time.

However, when the paramedics are loading her in the back of an ambulance, someone fires a shot at them, hitting one of the medics. The shooter then carnaps the ambulance with Ruby's injured body inside.

Why?

Does it have anything to do with Sullivan White's job as a Trident Officer, London Metropolitan Police anti-gun and gang crime unit?

Does it have to do with Ruby being the U.S. Cultural Attaché to G.B?

Cruelly, Ruby is gone before White could tell her what she truly means to him; it breaks him more than anything.

He keeps sane by focusing on seeking justice for her, but once he succeeds on his quest, will he be able to move forward?

Available on AMAZON Kobo and Barnes & Noble

REVIEW

An emotional crime thriller Don’t Stand Still holds you in the palm of its hand gripping you gently. In the opening we mete Sullivan(Sully) White a London anti-gun and gang crime unit police officer who awaken to Ruby his “friend with benefits” collapsed on his bedroom floor. Recuse arrives, but then someone shoots at the paramedic and takes over the ambulance. White jumps into action and gets her body back as Ruby’s lasts words were autopsy and that she loved him. From the here it’s a sullen hunt to solve the mystery of Ruby’s killer and what her position as a U.S. Cultural Attache to Great Brittan has to do with it. While its book 3 in the Color Series, this book stands well on its own.

Daniel’s writing is realistic as we follow Sully in his mission to help find the woman he realizes he loved killer. While Don’t Stand Still is a crime thriller, it also is about how we can take life and people for granted. How fear and holding back can lead to regret. She was gone before he had the chance to say he loved her too. Daniels portrayal of Sully and his personal grief journey is flawless and so true to life. You can’t help but not feel for him and get drawn into the story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

From the pen of Jack O. Daniel....

I'm an observer of people and a story-teller. I sit and watch, and I listen. Listening not just to what's being said, but more importantly, to what's not being said. But life shouldn't just pass us by as we watch idly, so in every respect, I'm also a participant. Interacting with the characters who grace the pages of my books, although they were simply an amalgam of the various people I've come across That could be me silently watching you from across a crowded café as you sit drinking your coffee. Observing how you sniffed the aroma of the Arabica beans grounded and blended just for you by the barista behind the counter. Then, you drank it, closed your eyes to fully appreciate the tinge of bitterness in it. You smiled, pleased that it was made just right.

People make up the tapestry of life. So, you are my source of inspiration.

In the end, it's not about me - it's all about you. So, I prefer to remain anonymous.

BOOK REVIEW: Phoenyx Falling (Volume 2) by Daisy St. James

Jane Grimshaw, a.k.a. The Phoenyx, has made a name for herself in Crystal Haven that strikes fear and respect whenever it’s whispered. Raised as a cut-throat assassin by her Uncle Hutton, she is not a wielder of weapons— she IS the weapon. When dormant powers surface after a steamy hook up with gorgeous and angst-ridden vampire, Judas, Jane finds herself embroiled in a world filled with witchcraft, danger and lust.

You can abandon family—but you can’t escape blood.

Family bloodlines are pulsing through her veins, thrumming with powerful magic and sensuality. When Jane discovers that her biological father is a high-ranking hybrid, she can’t imagine things getting any worse. However, dark creatures are gunning for her at every turn—hunting her down at the behest of Lilith, a sister she never knew and Spider, a vicious vampire and leader of a local MC. Behind the scenes, she is guarded over by another undead, a mysterious vampire hell bent on finding his way into her heart even if it means giving up on everything he’s ever known. With great power comes great promise, higher risks, and the threat of betrayal.

Standing at the precipice of a new life, one thing becomes abundantly clear…

To rise—you must first be willing to fall.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Phoenyx Falling bursts into flames the moment your eyes touch the first page.

Volume 2 tears right in where volume 1 Phoenyx in Flames left off, and the sexy action mounts up as Jane "Phoenyx" Grimshaw learns cutting truths and startling revelations amongst the hot steamy succubus, vampire, magic action! What happens when you learn the very thing you are fighting against is the very thing you are?

 This book is totally kickass! If you are an avid urban paranormal or paranormal romance lover you will devour this book! Phoenyx Falling left this fangirl giddy with delight.

 St. James writing is truly captivating and sexy. Each line is filled with importance, and excitement so there is never a dull moment in this read so enjoy the ride.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Daisy always dreamed of becoming a writer. From the moment she picked up her very first romance novel at the tender age of twelve, she was hooked. As she got older and more ambitious, she wrote her first Young Adult novel, which promptly got devoured by her temperamental Hewlett-Packard. Since then, she's learned a lot about crafting an engaging story to captivate readers - and how to back up her work to avoid utter devastation at the hands of technology.

Daisy lives mostly in her head but calls beautiful Montreal, Quebec her home. She spends her days as a stay-at-home-mom/voice-over artist and lives to make her family as happy as she possibly can! She spends her time daydreaming up sassy heroines and hot heroes. Paranormal Romance is her life.

Her husband is the man of her dreams and you’ll find a little bit of him in every Hero she writes. Most of her Heroines have a little bit of her in them as well. In doing so, she’s made her love for her husband immortal.

FOLLOW/ LEARN MORE ABOUT DAISY AT...

 FACEBOOK

 FAN PAGE

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

DAISY ST. JAMES AUTHOR

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

Book Review: Scorched: The Archangel Series by Jack O. Daniel

Pope and June are enjoying the time of their lives having a 'honeymoon-before-the-wedding' in Paris when three bombs go off in their hotel. They are forced to take action. Fortunately, they know just what to do in the event of a terror attack. Pope is ex-Delta Force; now a sniper instructor at Quantico for the FBI. June, on the other hand, is with the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit.

By sheer coincidence, the son of the U.S. Vice-president is staying in the same hotel.  The terrorists discover this. Now the hunt is on to find him; they need a high-profile hostage, but not if his security detail has anything to say about it.

The fiasco quickly escalates.  Spies, analysts, intelligence officers scramble to get to the bottom of the terror attack.

Who?

Why?

How?

These are just a few questions that need answers after the bombing and the hostage-taking.  As they dig deeper, it becomes apparent that this incident is just the beginning, will they be able to get to the bottom of it before it is too late for the world?

   AVAILABLE ON Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble

REVIEW

If you are a lover of the action thriller, with a hint of romance, then be prepared to get enthralled with Scorched.

When we begin, we meet Pope and June both work for the F.B.I. Pope is a former Delta Force now turned sniper instructor, while June works in the Behavioral Analysis Unit or B.A.U. Despite the rule of not mixing business with pleasure Pope and June have fallen in love and are in the city of love, Paris celebrating their engagement when all hell breaks loose. Terrorist bomb and take hostage the hotel they are staying in. To add fuel to the chaos the Vice President's son is dining in the exact hotel's restaurant at the same time.

As you guessed it action ensues. Pope and June spring into action thanks to them being on the upper floors They take out some of the terrorists and discover the Vice President has a secret Archangel on his side. Problem is they still have to find out the who, why, and can they stop them in time.

Scorched is an action good read. Jack O. Daniel keeps you gripped and page-turning to find out what will happen next. Not much for thriller action, but Daniels writing kept me tense and entrapped to the story. The ending is the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers. I almost threw my tablet. I can’t wait for book 2!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Here is what Jack O. Daniel has to say.

"I'm an observer of people and a story-teller.

I sit and watch; and, I listen. Listening not just to what's being said, but more importantly, to what's not being said. But life shouldn't just pass us by as we watch idly, so in every respect, I'm also a participant. I have interacted with the characters who have graced the pages of my books, although they were simply an amalgam of the various people I've come across. That could be me silently watching you from across a crowded café as you sit drinking your coffee. Observing as you sniffed the aroma of the Arabica beans grounded and blended just for you by the barista behind the counter. You closed your eyes and you drank it, fully appreciating the tinge of bitterness in your coffee. You smiled, pleased that it was made just right. People make up the tapestry of life. So, you are my source of inspiration."

(Oh, The Complications#1) Loving Faith & Hope by Angelin Sydney

Luke is in love with Faith, but he also loves his surrogate sister, Hope. Everything is going well in his work and love life until Hope rushes headlong into trouble. Soon, they find themselves in the middle of an unfolding crime drama as they get tangled in a money laundering web. Luke and Faith find themselves slowly ripped apart. To complicate matters, Hope falls in love with Joe Di Nozzi, who is also Victor Carabella. Could he trust Joe/Victor not to hurt Hope?

After saving Hope from a fiery conflagration, Luke finds himself in the Burns unit. Gripped in the claws of self-pity, he thinks of himself as disfigured, yet Faith thinks of him as merely scarred. Would he be able to see himself as the hero she believes he is? Faith offers unconditional love; would Luke accept it? Would he take it?

           AVAILABLE ON AMAZON, KOBO, BARNES & NOBLE

REVIEW

Being book 1 in the Oh, the Compilations series Angelin Sydney is off to a hot start! A must-read for lovers of contemporary romance who like a little crime drama mixed in. Without ruining the book, we meet Luke a former Police Officer turned Fire Fighter, and his soon to be proposed to live in girlfriend Faith. Then there is Hope who kind of is a hot mess and the third wheel in the relationship, yet it is not what you think. Oh! Then there are the complications! The story from there takes a turn towards a more crime drama, thriller aspect. You wonder if this a romance book or a crime drama, thriller? You then realize it is kind of both, and it works! Alas, this is Sydney’s signature trademark. She does it well.

Sydney's writing is fresh with thrills and hope. Her attention to detail is in depth with no loopholes shown. Angelin writing really has a way of gripping you and keeping you reading till the end. And leave you feeling good after. A Good story indeed!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a writer, Angelin Sydney interweaves romantic stories with thrilling plots that twist and turn in many ways. Since moving to Australia twenty-five years ago, she has had numerous incarnations. She was a banker, an insurance seller, housing loan broker, and home-stay mother to literally hundreds of international students. Over the years, she has also become a small business owner, casual kitchen hand and currently, a live-in nanny. So, one can say, she has been around. Her most consistent role, however, is being a mother to her four wonderful children, one of whom has gone ahead leaving her devastated and heartbroken. It was his untimely departure that motivated her to write stories to help others to heal, laugh, hope and dare to dream. She is a believer in the kindness of people, so by extension, this has been the usual theme of her stories. She believes in redemption, love, and purpose. So, every story she writes reflect these values. For her, writing is as essential as breathing. The only reason she’d stop doing it is if she were incapacitated or dead. Working for a living gets in the way of her writing which she finds very sad. In the ideal world, all she’d be doing is entertaining her readers. This is her utmost wish. One more thing: The only thing active about her is her imagination. It’s as fertile as the rice fields of the Philippines where she was born.

Book Review: Three Men, Little Alvin & a Tonka Truck by Angelin Sydney

Three Men, Little Alvin, and a Tonka Truck is an adorable caper of a story. It will tug at your heartstrings.

Little Alvin is a cute, blond-haired, blue-eyed boy who has the world at his feet. Though he could afford to buy all the toy stores in the world, his most prized possession is a Tonka Truck.

    AVAILABLE ON Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AND Kobo

REVIEW

Whenever you pick up an Angelin Sydney book she does not disappoint, and Three Men, Little Alvin & a Tonka Truck does not disappoint at all! It’s a great book to tuck into your beach bag for a relaxing day at the beach.

Here we meet Alvin Rothschild the latest Rothschild heir and his crew of caregivers. Two being Colin Morrison a former Special Forces along with Frank Lewis the family’s personal pilot, and former top military Special forces pilot. Both have a close connection to the boy being more of a parental figure to him than his own parents. When Colin and Frank both in their late 40’s get their packing paper to be replaced by younger model’s chaos ensures. The replacements turn out to be imposters sent to kidnap little Alvin. Colin and Frank both spring into action proving age is just a number and special forces rule! Ultimately it brings true Father and son a realization of Legacy. Oh, and don’t forget that Tonka Truck.

Angelin writes wittily and posh. Her stories a short sweet read and I enjoy them. Considering my hectic parenting lifestyle, I can read one of her books easily on a rainy weekend afternoon feeling better for it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a writer, Angelin Sydney interweaves romantic stories with thrilling plots that twist and turn in many ways.

Since moving to Australia twenty-five years ago, she has had numerous incarnations. She was a banker, an insurance seller, housing loan broker, and home-stay mother to literally hundreds of international students. Over the years, she has also become a small business owner, casual kitchen hand and currently, a live-in nanny. So, one can say, she has been around.

Her most consistent role, however, is being a mother to her four wonderful children, one of whom has gone ahead leaving her devastated and heartbroken. It was his untimely departure that motivated her to write stories to help others to heal, laugh, hope and dare to dream.

She is a believer in the kindness of people, so by extension, this has been the usual theme of her stories. She believes in redemption, love, and purpose. So, every story she writes reflect these values.

For her, writing is as essential as breathing. The only reason she’d stop doing it is if she were incapacitated or dead. Working for a living gets in the way of her writing which she finds very sad. In the ideal world, all she’d be doing is entertaining her readers. This is her utmost wish.

One more thing: The only thing active about her is her imagination. It’s as fertile as the rice fields of the Philippines where she was born.

BOOK REVIEW: Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace ABRIDGED EDITION: Part II of the Windflower Saga Trilogy by Aleksandra Layland

This is an abridged edition of the epic fantasy novel "Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace. (Part II of the Windflower Saga trilogy by Aleksandra Layland. Abridged by the author herself, she hopes it will make this story more accessible to a wider audience of adult and young adult readers. Set in a time not now and in a world not of our own in the medieval-like Kingdom of Kimbria. Generations have passed since the flourishing of the Kingdom of Kimbria under its First Golden Age. Corruption is rampant and the common people suffer under poor governance. Finally, they cry out for a monarch to replace the greedy Royal Council. Acting as Regent, the Council elects the young Duchess of Ansgar as the new Queen and orders her to marry a fearsome mercenary warlord. He fetches her from the remote convent where she’s lived for 20 years, but he takes her to his distant castle, not to the Palace so she can take the throne. The Royal Council has no intention that she will ever rule. What ensues is a heroic battle against greed, evil, and conspiracy, with the lives and freedom of the Kimbrian people hanging in the balance.

    AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

While this is supposed to be the abridged version of Of Wisdom and Valor, I still found it a bit lengthy. This abridged version is to be more appealing to younger readers though I think Of Wisdom and Valor lost something in the process.

While reading I truly missed the original full-length version. We needed that in-depth Kimbrian background, jargon to truly understand and grasp the relationship between Leofric and Keridwen. In the Abridged version, they felt like shadows of their former selves. Something was missing from them. Of Wisdom and Valor: Art of War. The Path of Peace is truly an epic read. I’d go tackle the original, though if you truly want to capture the magic of Aleksandra Layland and her epic Windflower Saga.

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.