Review Tales
Trusted Reviews and Author Features Since 2016
Countless Cups of Chai by Saman Mirza (Book Review #158)
Countless Cups of Chai is a self-help guide to designing your personal space. It consists of different aspects of creativity and a combination of rules that the author has learned through living a mobile life. Due to her consistent lifestyle of having to move home and her living accommodations, Saman manages to develop the style of adjustment, by creating a pleasant space for her family and home.
The author believes that when it comes to style, it all comes down to our perceptions. Therefore, nothing is wrong or right but acceptable to the eyes of the beholder.
Every chapter begins with a quote about life, living, and design. I particularly liked the part where the book expressly acknowledges that it may not be right to judge a person by their appearance, but you can definitely tell something from the way they choose to live and arrange their personal space.
The literary standard of the book was in good standing. The topics discussed were relevant to the author’s personal experience. I admired the fact that the content was not based on the typical design rule books which can be found everywhere else. All her thoughts and ideas are by the rule of thumb and have a personal touch.
I know that as an independent author, the cost of print staggers when there are pictures entailed, so I fully understand the lack of photos as examples. However, I believe that if there were no financial strains, then pictures would have improved the book immensely.
I recommend this book to anyone that wishes to read on designing their space with a personal touch.
Written by Jeyran Main
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Broken, Memoirs by R. A. Rios (Book Review #393)
Toric’s Dagger by Jamie Edmundson (Book Review #185)
Toric’s Dagger is book one of the Weapon Takers Saga, which is a fantasy series. The story is written about this religious relic being stolen. Soren and Belwynn are twin brother and sister. They are the ones seeking the dagger. The twins have telepathic ways of communicating between each other. Soren has magic abilities that assist them in dealing with all the danger and threat they face while being on their mission.
Once they find the dagger, it appears that the problem is still not resolved. They then have to protect it from the sorcerers, mercenaries and every other person that wishes to use the dagger, to do wrong.
The fantasy world created by the author is superbly done. The troubles and tricky situations, which the twins faced does make you feel for them. I loved the relationship between the siblings and the interconnected storylines within the content of the book. The literary standard was truly admirable. I believe this author has a strong potential in becoming one of the best in its genre.
There were times that I felt a little lost while reading, but then I would pick up fast and the pace would compensate the confusion. I also would like to congratulate the author for such a beautiful cover. If I had seen this book in a bookstore, I would have picked it up.
I recommend this book to fantasy readers.
Written by Jeyran Main
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She’s so Fine – Book 1 of the Samantha Block Series by Jaimee Campbell (Book Review #193)
She’s so fine is a thriller story written about Samantha. She is a mother of two children and appears to be leading a normal life with ordinary routine wifely chores. However, she is nothing but ordinary. Samantha has a past, which intertwines, with her present life. The past is something she does not want to confront but, as life always comes to bite you back, it captures Samantha and she has no choice but to face it.
In a world where you give some – get some; Samantha is then left with juggling between the aftermath of the choices she makes. Her two daughters and husband, Mark welcome another girl into their lives after a suspicious fire kills the girl’s mother. The fight for guardianship is another battle Samantha has to face. She has to tell her husband about everything that has happened in order to save the marriage and other encounters and dramas unravel, causing a drift into her marriage, making this is a constant thrilling novel that you really don’t wish to put down.
I found the book to be written very well. I particularly enjoyed Mark and his interactions with Samantha. The character development was spot on. Each had their own visions and ways of dealing with things. The chapters were short, and some had the same number, in the Kindle version I was given. I found little editing issues or any major structural formatting concerns, which was nice.
The author has a very appealing way of writing thriller novels. The book did not spend much time in descriptive page fillers or fluffy women insights and emotions; it was instead filled with action and active occurrences, making it a joy to read.
I recommended this book to anyone that enjoys mystery thriller themed stories.
Written by Jeyran Main
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The Legion and the Lioness (World Apart Book 1) by Derek Armstrong (Book Review #392)
The golden rule by Jessica Marie Baumgartner (Book Review #167)
The golden rule is a children’s book written about a girl that feels her religion, culture and family life is different to others. She then explores the fact and begins to learn that every faith has a golden rule just like hers and even though they too, are different, they all stand on common grounds.
It teaches children diversity, acceptance and the ability to respect everyone no matter what faith, culture or background they have.
The book does have quotations from popular faiths and emphasizes on the general message that one should be kind to others.
I found the illustrations to be even prettier than the message, this book contained. I highly recommend it to parents that are looking for religious content and something educational for their child.
Written by Jeyran Main
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“Star Bright” By Carole P. Roman
Star Bright” By Carole P. Roman
Ugh, a one star review ruins my near perfect rating of one of my books. The reviewer didn’t get it. I put too much information in or maybe it wasn’t enough. The illustrations were poorly done, sometimes it’s too light, other times too dark. They want to know why I put a certain fact in, or how could I have gotten it so wrong, didn’t I research, they demand!
Writing a book is a personal and subjective experience. You pick a subject because it piques your interest and start assembling information. You cull through mounds of ideas, tangents, or tidbits of juicy facts and choose what will represent what is going to enhance the story.
You pick an illustrator based on their samples. You want someone to be able to take your words and give them life the way you see it in your head. Your artist may come from a totally different background, they may have a whole new perspective, but two strangers work in tandem with the sole purpose of making the other look better.
You check your information on the trusty internet, in the case of the culture books, by contacting people from that particular place. There are language barriers, sometimes, you don’t understand what they are trying to say, but you persist. Sometimes, you speak to two people from the same place, you may get five different answers representing what region where they were born or the level of their education.
You press publish with the intent of pleasing people, hearing how you made them want to learn more. Your book opened a way for them to discuss culture and customs with their child.
You put yourself on the line, risked your reputation and have the distinct honor to read happy reviews of readers who connected. It’s wonderful and thrilling.
You learn that you can’t please everybody. The greatest feeling is that you were satisfied and the most important person to please is yourself.
ABOUT CAROLE P. ROMAN
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the Captain No Beard series. Both Captain No Beard-An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life and Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis have received the Kirkus Star of Exceptional Merit. The first book in the series was named to Kirkus Reviews Best 2012. Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis has been named to Kirkus Reviews Best of 2015. Each book in the series has won numerous awards including the NABE Pinnacle Award, IAN Award, Moonbeam Award 2014, National Indie Excellence Award Finalist, Shelf Media Outstanding Series Award, ForeWord Review Five Star and Finalist in the Book of the Year, and Reader’s Views Children’s Book of the Year 2013.
Carole P. Roman is also the author of the award-winning non-fiction culture series, “If You Were Me and Lived in…”, that explores customs and cultures around the world. She has co-authored a self-help book, Navigating Indieworld A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing. She lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children and grandchildren. Carole invites readers to connect with her via her website.
Asleep from day by Margarita Montimore (Book Review #391)
Astrid is an extremely loving character. Almost immediately you can connect and bond with her situation and her feelings. The intensified dark mystery in the storyline definitely added to its multidimensional aspect of enforcing the reader to contemplate what scene is real.
The world building was great. The description was just enough, enabling the reader to visualize through the scenes and enjoy the twists of the story. Having a good storyline is not the only thing this book offers. It also came with great writing.
The literature standard was very unique to its plot. Even to the end, the story had you guessing and wondering. What did, however, make me wonder was the ending. It did not provide a full closure and subjected the reader to its own interpretation. Knowing that there is no sequel to this book, I was a little confused on what merit this had and the impression it left.
I believe the entire experience was very different and I thoroughly enjoyed how the literature was dominating my train of thoughts to the end.
Written by Jeyran Main
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