book review – Page 5 – Emotional Shadows

#BookReviews: #Mystery #TimeTravel #Memoir

Published on September 20, 2022September 20, 2022 by balroop singh32 Comments

Taking a break from syllabic poetry, I want to share the reviews of some fabulous books I’ve read this month. All four are my favorite authors (The Haunting… has been written by two perceptive stalwarts.) I have read one more brilliantly written book by our wordsmith – Diana. I would share it in my next post this week.

The Haunting of Chatham Hollow gives you a few hiccups in the beginning, oscillating between two timelines and many characters but soon picks up a steady pace and keeps you invested in the mystery as well as seances. A complex plot, ensconcing many stories, it is a combination of supernatural fantasy and cozy horror.

The style of two authors mingles in a brilliant manner! Who seeks the hidden treasure of Ward Chatham and why? Would Chatham’s ghost reveal the secret? What is the significance of the curse? Many such questions keep gnawing at your heart till the end.

The strength of this book lies in the seances, each one more vivid, more captivating than the other, giving you the feeling of a real scene of a movie. Spiritualists and skeptics provide a balanced view but Ward Chatham adds a weird aura to the story.

Benedict is hardly a competitor for Victor, probably due to his nefarious designs and that is why the latter emerges to be my favorite character. All the characters have been crafted with equal astuteness and the most stunning one is the grandmother of Aiden.

It is marvelous how all the links are woven together in the end. However, some of the details are superfluous; they hamper the pace of the book and eliminating them could have made it more thrilling. Highly recommended for all kinds of readers. 5 stars reading.

Geller’s Find by Sandra Cox is an intriguing tale, a combination of western and time travel, with a cozy romance thrown in. True to her style, Cox dives into the story headlong, and keeps a brisk pace, never letting you waver an eyelid. While hiking through the majestic Great Basin, Luke’s love for artifacts leads him into the past, as he hurtles down into a deep hole, “whirling into a tube of rock”and reaches in the year 1882 where he meets Lily, a rancher. The vivid description of his journey, as if he were in an elevator is most captivating. Many questions would crop up in your mind – How would he get back? Will he stay and never go back? How would he find his bag that gets lost? Where would he stay? Can he adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings?

Cox’s characters are most realistic and the way they welcome Luke into their lives is heart-warming. Strong yet tender at heart, Saffron likes Luke but he keeps his distance, as he knows he doesn’t belong to their world. Stryker remains an enigma till the end though Luke is smart enough to see through his sinister plans. There is enough action to keep you enthralled. The book converts into a page-turner toward the end and much is left to the imagination of the reader. Pick up this book, you won’t be disappointed. 5 stars!

The Winding Road is a poignant memoir of Miriam who was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in one of her organs at the time of her hysterectomy. It was considered to be incurable. She was told that the survival rate was six to twelve months among the patients over the past twenty years. An experimental treatment was recommended and Miriam decided to go ahead with it. Her candid account of the treatment and suffering is extremely heart-rending. My heart goes out to her, as she had the grit and the determination to walk through the unknown road, never losing sight of her destination. The positivity that kept her going despite the long waits, failing health and side effects of the chemo, is noteworthy. It was the most difficult path, with excruciating pains that she had to bear throughout the treatment, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Her persistence paid off; the blessings and prayers of her friends and family plucked her from the jaws of life-threatening cancer and she could fulfill her wishes of playing with her grandchildren. It requires great resilience to relive those moments while telling the story but Miriam chose to share it and I admire her fortitude. She has also shared some beautiful pictures of her family that reinforces how valuable this life is with our near and dear ones. 5 stars!

Happy reading! Thank you.

– Balroop Singh.

If you like poetry, here is my latest release Hues Of Hope

Welcome to Charm: A Unique Village!

Published on June 30, 2022 by balroop singh33 Comments

If you are unfamiliar with the magic of this village, I must share my yesterday’s experience with you. I was trying to write this post and when I uploaded the picture of this book, my laptop went blank! It said: “you are not connected.” I tried all possible ways and means to figure out what went wrong, I couldn’t get connected! In frustration, I gave up and went to bed, thinking I’ll finish this post in the morning. Surprisingly my phone was working fine. So I rebooted my laptop and started once again but no luck!

Hence this post got so late.

Here I am with the book review of ‘Welcome to Charm,’ the most original fantasy I have come across.

‘Welcome to Charm’ is an amazing fantasy with a gentle romance thrown in to keep you hooked. Are you tired of digital devices? Is the stress of life getting on your nerves? Do you crave a vacation in lush green surroundings with exotic flowers without paying a penny? Do you feel the pinch of inflation? Welcome to Charm – a unique village where you don’t have to pay a penny for a burger, can live in your dream house, never would have to lock it or lease it! Sounds incredible? Tonya has a surprise for you at each step, as this story proceeds.

Abby is astounded in the beginning but finds serenity the moment she learns to accept the inevitable. So intoxicated she gets by the company of Nash and the healing touch of Mother Nature; she feels that living in Charm is like living a fairy tale. She agrees to stay and discovers the real reason why she has been brought to Charm and why she couldn’t find an exit road to reach Crestview.

There is another noteworthy aspect of this book. Though it thrives on fantasy, it also returns to realism when it quotes from the poet Emerson: “there is nothing which nature cannot repair.” It reminded me of the “back to nature” call by the poets of the Victorian Era. William Wordsworth said, “To her fair works did Nature link the Human soul that through me ran.” Penrose uses this unifying theme of life and Nature most effectively.

The childlike charm of this book, the subtle wisdom and the way it has been shared makes it a superb reading experience. I would like to visit Charm!

If you want to accompany me, leave your digital devices behind, as they won’t work there.

Thank you.

– Balroop Singh

#BookReviews #Poetry & #Fiction

Published on June 22, 2022 by balroop singh81 Comments

Life and Soul: Book 2 is divided into six parts, each one delving deeper into the journey of a soul. Harmony’s poetry would acquaint you with your own soul and would gently guide you toward the eternal light that “always surrounds us.” Her succinct style of writing and rich imagery is the hallmark of this collection. She doesn’t let the darker themes dominate her thoughts, she tries to move on and takes delight in the positivity of life’s lessons.

‘Lonely Soul’ pines for a companion but keeps the pain within and smiles through the words, which would pierce your heart.
‘Seeking Soul’ highlights what is not love, how toxic relationships bruise, stifle and slay your confidence. Feel the power of these words from – Still Laundry To Get Done:
“Vocal chords cut, severed
Silenced with words, curt look
No fists necessary…”
And these words hit me like a dagger: Licking honey off the edge of the razor blade.”
‘Loving Soul’ is drenched in passionate love with unique descriptions of falling in love. Love poems in this section are captivating, with brilliant imagery and elation that flows in rivulets of ecstasy. This is my favorite section.

The essence of her life with all the pungent and sweet delights gleams through the last section – ‘The Life of a Soul.’ Though the poems in this book are personal, they would touch your heart, as the themes are universal. You don’t have to be a poetry lover to enjoy these poems. Highly recommended.

A Voice in the Silence is much more than a cosy murder mystery, it draws you in with its unique characters – Charlie, Jane and Ben and lets you soar with Finn’s imagination. There is not a dull moment as the tension builds up, with Drea’s stalker getting closer despite all the security measures taken by her family friend and cop – Adam. The story moves at an amazing pace, compelling you to guess who the serial killer could be! Would Drea survive the vicious attack? Would her animal friends be safe? If that is not enough, Will Ralph comes in with his irrational demands and threatens to kill.

Drea is an admirable character, crafted with panache, as she rises to the occasion, can’t be intimidated and knows how to react in a catastrophic situation. Her love for furry friends exudes inspiration and her kindness is exemplary. She has been grieving due to the loss of her husband but she puts it aside to face the challenging situations. Love and life sound more important to her than grief and loneliness and she chooses love – a subtle message that life is far more precious than our losses.

It is remarkable how Finn has woven an interesting book around various themes of love, loneliness, grief, empathy and callousness with a positive outlook. I enjoyed it.

I was allured to Bella, as the suspense about her character and her physical absence in Sandra Kopp’s earlier book left many unanswered questions about her personality. This book focuses on Bella Jacquelina Gaviano, the most beautiful daughter of Carlo Gaviano and his French wife Marie. The turbulent journey of Bella’s life captivates you despite all the horrific incidents that fail to cripple her free and malicious spirit. An impetuous, self-centered, spiteful and arrogant brat, she grows up with the illusion that she has descended from royalty and deserves the privileges of the elite. She wants the best of everything; she knows the ways to accomplish what she wants and figures out how to remove her stumbling blocks. From a seamstress to a coveted beloved, her life is full of bewildering occurrences.

Kopp’s style of writing, her love for nature and her exquisite language add a literary touch to this book too. A character-driven story, it moves at a steady pace, never slacking, constantly adding new developments in Bella’s life. On the one hand, she nurtures her intense desire for Joseph whom she could entice with her exotic accent, spoken in a throaty whisper, and her dark brown eyes but she also had high expectations from her marriage to Jean-Pierre, in case Joseph becomes aloof and indifferent. The development of Bella’s character is stunning, as it gets darker and murkier as the book proceeds. You would surely say – OMG!

It is surprising that she never introspects, doesn’t feel any remorse, never is haunted by her deeds, and is perfect in her pretense. The ending of the book deviates from its focus and introduces some new characters. I don’t think they were needed and the story of Bella could be concluded without those superfluous chapters. There is also some repetition and too many details, which could be edited to enhance its value. If you like dark fiction, you would surely enjoy this book.

Thank you.

– Balroop Singh

For poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

Here is my latest release Hues Of Hope

#BookReviews 5 #Stars for each one

Published on June 2, 2022June 1, 2022 by balroop singh59 Comments

You would be amazed at the variety of the books that I am sharing with you today. If the young adult adventurous story made me feel as young as Lily and Christy, Mateo’s blood brother kept me at the edge of my chair and A Long Walk Home reassured me that Angels of hope are always around us. I have read three more books but would like to share only those that earned 5 star reviews from me.

The Bloody Shoe Affair by Joy York is a brilliant YA adventurous story of two teenagers who dare to venture into dangerous avenues of investigating a double murder, as Lily believes an innocent man has been imprisoned. A first person account, with exciting details and teen talk; teen tone never wanes throughout the book, and that adds an extra charm to the carefully crafted dialogues, interspersed with a dash of humor despite a serious theme. Lily’s crazy idea of stuffing marshmallows in Christy’s bra and Troy asking if any of them were wearing perfume that smells like marshmallows cracked me up!

Joy’s characters are crafted with immense dexterity. It is the inquisitive nature of Lily that draws her reticent cousin, Christy into her daredevil plans of sneaking into the basement to locate the old jail cell and talk to the potential murderer. She believes in taking risks, possesses an amazing skill of cooking up stories at the spur of the moment, and has an incredible convincing power to impress people. An incorrigible liar, intrepid and obdurate, Lily exudes enviable confidence, which inspires Christy who nurses doubts at each step and is scared that if they are caught, she might have to spend the rest of her summer in reform school.

The strength of this book is connected with its characters. You would love them despite their irrational feats of lying and spying. It captures the true behavior of youngsters. An enjoyable read!

Mateo’s Blood Brother: Sequel to Mateo’s Law is a dark tale of revenge, action-packed with fierce attacks by Delilah, who returns in this book with a vengeance. Undeterred by the responses of the Chief of Police, Jesse and Sheriff Mateo, the wicked shape shifter is too smart for the brothers. The chase keeps you guessing till the last page, concluding in an incredible manner. The budding romance of Mateo and Blair has matured in this book and there are some steamy love scenes in the middle of busy hours of the chase.

Cox’s crisp style adds to the pace of the story, which moves forward quickly, the investigations sound genuine and the friendships amazing. All the characters have an unbelievable strength and refuse to give up despite serious injuries. She puts just the right emotion into the relationship of Mateo and Blair. A thread of suspense hangs till the end, with the appearance of another brown wolf. I like how Sandra lightens the sordid situations with a dash of humor. This is a well-written book, just like her western romances. Though a sequel, it can stand alone. Highly recommended.

A Long Walk Home symbolizes trudging through your failures and frustrations into maturity, a lovely message of thinking about your own self and finding happiness despite all the negativity that tries to blind us. Written in an eloquent style that never falters, Finn takes you through the lives of two friends and delivers a profound message: “there is magic all year round but I am glad they take some time to think about it once a year.”

Kenzie’s pain would reach your heart; the season of joy and celebrations seems meaningless to her, as her emotions spiral out of control. The setting is perfect for the mood of the story. However, our Angels of hope are always around us to protect us before we plunge deeper into the dumps. This sweet story would win your heart. I finished it within an hour.

Thank you. Happy reading!
Balroop Singh.

If you like poetry, here is my latest release Hues Of Hope

More 5 #Star #BookReviews @EverDreamer7321 @teagangeneviene

Published on May 12, 2022May 10, 2022 by balroop singh38 Comments

Today I have mystery and fantasy books, which I would like to share with you.

My Review: The Windwilder Haunting by Sandra Kopp

‘The Windwilder Haunting’ by Sandra Kopp is a riveting saga of three generations, action packed with deceit, lies and mysterious happenings. Kopp builds up mystery around the mansion slowly, with amazing details of the Windwilder mansion and her exquisite language adds an aesthetic touch to this book. The prologue is enigmatic, as it grips you with poetic language on the one hand but proceeds with a lightning speed to reveal that the mansion is being set on fire! Then the story flows at an amazing pace, without a dull moment. It is much more than just a ghost story; it is the superb style, the narrator’s love for nature and an eye for detail that elevates this book above an ordinary period story.

I like how Bella, with her inconspicuous presence, holds the plot and keeps you invested till the end. Lillian is another strange character, who doesn’t seem to like anybody but her contribution to the story is astounding. Madelyn’s connect with nature and her passion to know more makes her a likable protagonist. Though drawn by the mysteries of the mansion, she refuses to be manipulated by John and has a mind of her own. She is intuitive enough to understand where the secrets lie and follows her own path in discovering them. However, all hell breaks loose, as somebody is unhappy with her visits to the mansion.

I like how Sandra keeps a control over the horror element and doesn’t let it slip into gruesome details. I admire how she switches gears to the descriptions of nature to lighten the mood: “The sun touched down, and a final scattering of brilliant light ignited the wispy clouds into flaming orange plumes that blazed for just moments before turning red and then purple as they drifted north.” I would recommend this book to all book lovers.

My Review: Dead of Winter – Journey 1 by Teagan Riordain

A riveting story, Dead Of Winter: Journey 1 would transport you to a world of fantasy yet Teagan’s characters seem absolutely real, as they are haunted by fears of religious fanatics who try to stamp out knowledge, brethren of Un’Naf have made oppressive rules for women and there is a fear of banishment for Emyln who is a gifted girl.

Osabide, an elderly widow has been banished from her village just because she is a healer and a person of great knowledge. She warns Emyln to keep silent about her ability to see and hear ghosts. The story is told from Emyln’s point of view; she knows she is not loved by anyone in her family, even her sister taunts her and she can’t share her thoughts with her. The refrain “winter is coming” dominates this novella and adds a touch of mystery to it. I can’t wait to read the next journey!

My Review: Dead of Winter – Journey 2

Journey 2, Penllyn takes the story of Emyln forward; new characters are introduced and the shocking intentions of Emyln’s father are revealed. Deae Matres, a group of women brings in some hope but Teagan doesn’t divulge much about these mysterious women. Zasha, Osabide’s niece, is the member of this organization. I like the way the story is developing and Emyln is growing stronger with each experience. The style of writing is intriguing, the mood mysterious and the language is beautiful.

You would keep wondering why Emyln’s father who never takes her anywhere is taking her to Penllyn. She could sense that he is sad and angry but dare not ask a question. It was such a relief that Afon couldn’t succeed in his mission. I am loving these journeys.

Please click on the links to view the book descriptions.

Thank you. Happy reading!
Balroop Singh.

Here is my latest release: Hues Of Hope