Review Tales
Trusted Reviews and Author Features Since 2016
Travels with Maurice by By Gary Orleck (Book Review #1157)
Travels with Maurice is a nonfiction book about Gary and his friend, Maurice, a man from a very rich Iranian family on a voyage visiting 12 countries, meeting the Elite of the London music scene, dining with kings and queens, like the Shah of Iran and his wife, Farah. Gary talks about what he learned from Europe and even the inner working of the Iranian government.
Read MoreThe Prisoner of Paradise by Rob Samborn (Book Review #1155)
This review has been featured in REVIEW TALES MAGAZINE.
The Prisoner of Paradise is a historical fiction thriller about Nick taking a trip to Venice only to collapse after hearing a voice from Tintoretto’s Paradise, a monumental depiction of Heaven. Although his wife asks him to seek help, Nick realizes that his blackout has sent him back to the 16th century, meeting Isabella Scalfini, an aristocrat that he was tasked to seduce but instead fell in love with.
The dynamic of the story then explains how Nick is totally lost in his hallucination only to realize that he has to make a wrong right before he can live the life he is currently in. The thriller story teaches you about Venetian history, art, and its social mores.
Exertions of Better Men by Ashley B. Venenga (Book Review #1156)
Exertions of Better Men is a time travel fiction story. It is set in a post-apocalyptic science fiction world and begins with Nicholas Smith, a college engineering professor living in Colorado. He learns that his wife passed away in Operation Iraqi Freedom and goes into a deep depression, wanting to end his life. When he jumps from the Holy Falls, where he married his then-wife, he wakes up in an entirely different environment. He has landed in the year 3010.
Nicholas has to start everything anew with a different purpose in life. His character growth and how he deals with his situation were interesting to read. Things are not easy for him, and he definitely faces some dramatic ups and downs.
Outcasts: An Anthology Foreword by Dan Fogler (Book Review #1154)
Outcasts is an anthology of eighteen short stories that showcase the skills of many authors’ storytelling abilities. You notice the difference, change in conversation, and the diverse elements of character introductions within the premise as you read along.
The book’s title stands out and makes you ponder how being an outcast can be a positive thing. Although the first few pages really begin to introduce what you may be expecting for the rest of the adventure, each story does stand alone and encourages you to read along.
The Witch’s Song by J. L. Lyndon Hickman (Book Review #1153)
This review has been featured in REVIEW TALES MAGAZINE.
Why Are You Here? – is a collection of twelve short stories written with female narratives. The author’s selection of storytelling demonstrates the struggles women face in different cultures and difficult circumstances.
The Witch’s Song is a young adult contemporary fantasy story about Claire and Crystal aged 21 and 18. They are poor, always on the move, and living with a man they believe is their father. The story is mostly about how Claire overcomes her emotional wounds growing up, dealing with the loss of her mother and being a witch.
Diving Deeper Inside by Dovydas Klimavičius (Book Review #1152)
This review has been featured in REVIEW TALES MAGAZINE.
Diving Deeper Inside is a self-help book geared for those who wish to understand willpower and comprehend the conscious and subconscious mind. The author discusses the importance of mindfulness and how effective it can be to overcome complex problems and reach personal growth.
The book can be used as a guide in teaching you about your mind and how to deal with your body benefiting you from making the right choices. We all somehow suffer from a lack of motivation and start something and fail after a few weeks.
Very Far From Normal: The real journals of a wife betrayed by Josie Allen (Book Review #1151)
This review has been featured in REVIEW TALES MAGAZINE.
Very Far from Normal is a memoir written by Josie Allen, pouring her heart out and sharing her story in an honest and healing way. Josie and Sam were living a normal married life, but when Sam’s secrets began to surface, things changed for the both of them.
The special thing about this book is that Josie does not entirely write this memoir for the purpose of telling it. She wrote it, making sure that even if that one person, going through the same thing, happened to come across this memoir, they too would not feel alone.
Fallen by E. Prybylski (Book Review #1150)
This review has been featured in REVIEW TALES MAGAZINE.
Fallen is a fast-paced urban fantasy adventure story. It is the first book in the ‘Smoke and Magic series.’ The story begins with Cassiel, a fallen angel. She is taken to St. Mary’s church to meet Father John, who is helping her understand who she is. When Father John is murdered, things change for Cassiel. With the help of her friends, she begins to piece together why this has happened and who it was.
Cassiel and her friends learn a few things in their search for answers. As the first book of its series, you get an excellent introduction to the characters and personalities. Some backstory blends well with the concept, and Cassiel’s determination pulls everything together.
War of the Staffs by Steven Stephenson & K. M. Tedrick (Book Review #1148)
This review has been featured in REVIEW TALES MAGAZINE.
War of the Staffs is an epic fantasy story. The story is set in a world called Muiria. A powerful vampire wizard, Taza has brought a vengeful goddess, Adois, through the void, a space between the planets, and lends him a powerful staff, simply intended to take over the planet and turn it from good to evil.
This is the first book of its series, and therefore you expect many character introductions. The story is filled with many villains. The imaginative setting is a treasure for those who love fantasy elements. If you’re looking for dangerous, all-out battles including dragons, wizards, and more, then this book would be a gem for you.
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