Review Tales
Trusted Reviews and Author Features Since 2016
POPO GIGI: The earlier years – London to Bollywood (Popo Gigi, #1) by Samuel G. Sterling (Book Review #98)
This review was requested by Joliwood books
This is a 596-page book!
It is primarily about a guy named Popo Gigi. He is seeking his biological father. Unfortunately, Popo’s father abandoned his pregnant wife and shipped her off to London, England. Therefore, as you can imagine, he isn’t a very nice guy. Popo is adamant to pursue closure. Read More
How did cats become pets?
How did cats become a pet?
Throughout our lives, we have been taught and told many things. Some we have just accepted and some we have questioned. Did any of you here ever think as a kid, how did cats become pets? Why cats? When did a cat become a domesticated animal to keep, love, take care and cherish? Today from Review Tales, I wish to discuss this matter and hope that you enjoy reading it.
An interesting fact revealed by Jared Diamond’s 1997 book titled “Guns, Germs, and Steel,” states the fact that certain animals failed to be domesticated; it appears to have had some certain criteria in order to determine if the animal was suitable for such a thing. For example, the animal had to grow and mature at a rate that made economic sense. They had to not act out of sorts. Their social structure had to be strong, and they had to be breed well in captivity. It is no surprise that Zebras failed this test in the 19th century or Grizzly Cubs were found unsuitable. According to the author, only 14 animals passed the test of domestication.
Archaeologists have found evidence to suggest that Cats were domesticated around 9500 years ago. When it came to dogs, humans deliberately bred dogs to be more adorable and then the other animals came along after that. For instance, sheep and goats were domesticated around 11,000 years ago. Theories suggest that as men collected grain, it attracted mice and that brought cats into the place.
On a final note, cats can be essentially considered as the ultimate domesticated of animals but what strikes me is that we clean their litter, love them, follow after them, feed them and unlike dogs, they only come to us when they want to. It is no surprise to ask yourself, who really ended domesticating who?
Written by Jeyran Main
This article was originally written for Katzenworld.
Combat Medic by S.M. Boney IV (Book Review #141)
Here is a link to his website. combatmedic.org
Many Veterans enlist purely to serve their country without fully comprehending the environment they are going to be living in and the things that they are about to see. Besides the obvious emotional culture shock, facing death, injuries and working under extreme stressful settings, these courageous people come home having to go back to family and are expected to live a normal life.
No amount of training before, during or after the war can really prepare them for what is out there and of course, this book provides a glimpse into a life of just one, Private Boney.
Samuel Boney joined the Army in 2003. He was sent to Iraq facing gruesome scenes, assisting in casualties working as a combat medic. After coming home he begins battling with Post Traumatic Stress. It is very hard to come back home and to be expected to act ordinary as if you have been on vacation. The ghosts of the past do follow you wherever you go, and the flashbacks are real. I particularly enjoyed the authentic style of writing and expression of emotions the author uses to fully grab the readers heart. The content flows like a river of emotions, fully connecting you to the past, present, and future of this veteran’s life.
The author even warns you at the beginning of the book that nothing about the story is pretty and for us to be expecting the truth about everything he experienced.
Combat Medic is a story of survival, sacrifice, and real emotions. I look forward to reading more from this author and recommend this book to anyone that is tough enough to face the reality of what our Veterans go through.
Written Jeyran Main
Here is where you can buy this book:
Barnes & Noble
Itunes
THE FINE ART OF SAYING NO by BIBIANA KRALL
THE FINE ART OF SAYING NO | BIBIANA KRALL
We have all been there…wanting to do more, get more accomplished and helping our community. What we are not necessarily taught is how to say no with tact and mindfulness. Before you consider this a negative post and walk away, please just listen for a moment.
Life for all of us in 2017 is busy, excruciatingly busy. Focus has become a rare gem and what we are left with is a frazzled mess inside our minds and our lives.
Lately, the stress levels in my life have been higher than normal. There are many reasons for this. Loss of loved ones, deadlines and juggling life. I am sure you can relate to your own experience as well.
Flyor Y Fuego by Bibiana Krall (Book Review #59)
I want to do more, get it all done and help my friends whenever I can. When I wake up in the morning I have a solid plan, but then someone reaches out and asks, “Can you help me with this?” and you truly don’t have one more second to spare… do you say yes or no?
I have been kicking this question around a lot lately. Having the energy to add more can be a feat well beyond just getting your tasks done. So I am asking you to consider the possibility of simplifying and not choosing no as a daily option, but to use your wisdom. Listen to your heart when you know you cannot do your best.
There is nothing more difficult than realizing that you and I are both human and we need to have time for ourselves, our family and simply to breathe and take in life. Teach yourself diplomacy and whether you say yes or no, be true to what will be accomplished and can be accomplished in the time you have and proceed with grace and passion.
Prospect Hill by Bibiana Krall (Book Review #54)
The most beautiful aspect of the art of saying no is honesty, integrity, and respect. Needless to say, this goes both ways, and in the long run, you will know this truth. Just to throw a little wrench in this philosophy, there is always tomorrow, and you can schedule in that little extra then.
Just give yourself a break from time to time, because you are awesome and you deserve it.
Bibiana Krall is a novelist, short story writer, blogger, graduate student, mother, and wife. WWW.BIBIANAKRALL.COM
What Would a Muslim Say Islam by Ahmed Lotfy Rashed (Book Review #364)
The most interesting thing about the book was that the author himself is an interfaith volunteer. Therefore, I found the perspective of the literature to be very intriguing. Would I see this book useful for everyone? No. I do, however, feel that this book is more for the open and curious mind. Anyone that appreciates and understands the concept of religion would enjoy this book.
Islam seekers and Muslim practitioners may also find this book useful as no matter how much you think you know of your own religion, there is always something missing.
The content was easy to understand and to read. In addition to all said, the work was divided well and had a nice flow to it. The author has taken a novel approach and has potential to create respectable work. I look forward to reading more from him.
Written by Jeyran Main
If you would like a book review click here
Chaste by Jesse Teller (Book Review #135)
Chaste is a dark, horror fantasy story written about a girl named Cheryl. This is the third book of the tales from Perilisc. Chaste is a town suffering from a plague. The town is dedicated to Cory-lyn-ber, who is the father of Hope and Light.
Cheryl witnesses her mother and father being murdered. Her parents were the religious leaders working for Cory-lyn-ber. Losing them really shakes her belief in everything. The story is full of murder, sickness, agony, pain, rape, and abuse. However, there is some hope for this town, and that comes from five strangers, Ruther, Sai, Trevonne, Sob and Ambul who happen to visit the town. Each of them has an interesting backstory and come to Chaste noticing that something really weird is going on. After staying for a little while they decide to find the source of the sickness and to save the town.
Liefdom by Jesse Teller-Book Review
Cheryl’s destiny from the start begins to be very harsh but as the story develops she also transforms and develops into a much stronger person. She faces everything that she has been trying to avoid including Cory-lyn-ber.
I found the story to be really dark and twisted. It is filled with sadness and sorrow. The killing of children and murders were gruesome. Some possess the talent of reading about these sensitive topics without having it take much effect on their mood, but for me, it was a hard pill to swallow.
This, of course, does not indicate anything negative about the book. In fact, it was written so well that it managed to have such an effect on me. The literary standard was excellent. The plot was very well thought out, and the layout was superbly placed together. I can strongly say that Jesse Teller is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading more of his books.
Written by Jeyran Main
If you would like a book review click here
No Greater Love by Eris Field (Book Review #138)
There is no greater love when two people meet under the most unusual circumstances. As fate works against them, their desire to be together is compromised yet their hearts remain bonded forever. This is a romance novel written about a Turkish immigrant named Janan and a Dutch psychiatrist named Pieter.
Pieter has traveled all the way from Amsterdam to Western New York to find out if he has cancer. Once in America, he decides to see his friend and mentor, Carl. He resolves in buying a bottle of premium Dutch as a gift to give Carl. At the liquor store Pieter bumps into a beautiful woman named Janan and is instantly smitten with her Circassian beauty. After Pieter arrives at Carl’s house, he notices that the same beautiful woman he met in the liquor store also works and often lives at Carl’s home. That is where he realizes that Janan is not only beautiful, but she is also intelligent, loving and has been through a traumatic life growing up. Pieter learns that her family was killed in the 1992 earthquake in Turkey. Continue Reading…
The Second Cup by Sarah Marie Graye (Book Review #363)
As the author decided to use four women in the story, it was inevitable for each one to have their own personality and niche. I believe that part of the plot was accomplished quite well. What I found a little irritating was that the narration kept changing from first to the third person. While some may find this okay and acceptable, I find it confusing and unnecessary. That, of course, did not take away any intrigue from the storyline plot or its development. However, it made it confusing to follow, and sometimes it was hard to know who the story was talking about.
Having said that, I enjoyed the dynamic between the girls, the relationship between them, and what transpired as their own individual growth challenges. I believe the author has great potential in creating good literature.
The content also discusses sensitive topics such as depression, suicide, and other mental health issues. I would recommend this book to people that like a more serious take on real-life issues and relationships.
Written by Jeyran Main
If you would like a book review click here
Once a God: The Spirit of Miriam by Victor Wilkie (Book Review #130)
This review was kindly requested by the author, Victor Wilkie
This is a fictional story written about a millionaire named Jonah. It’s very intriguing character has a dark past and has grown up enduring hardship. However, his strength and determination have driven him to be very successful by the age of thirty. He strongly believes that everything that happened in his childhood was due to his weakness and that he would never let that happen again.
Jonah gets married and has two sons. He, later on, has a daughter named Lara. Unfortunately, Lara passes away in her sleep, and that is when everything begins to change for Jonah and what is left of his family.
Jonah meets another woman named Miriam, and from the start, she seems to have an unyielding power over him. He is smitten with her, and by being with Miriam, he forgets the piercing feeling of losing his daughter. Although Miriam is acutely aware of Jonah being married, she still pursues him, and this love relationship grows to become one dramatic story.
Everything begins to get really exciting when Jonah is hospitalized, and his mind awakens to a completely different and darker space.
There are several beautiful facts within the story. One, in particular, that strikes the attention is how you adore and love the lead character and then hate and despise him towards the end. The writing and the skill in portraying such strong layered emotions of losing a child and how emotional one clings on to the only shed of light in the hope of gaining happiness back was intensely satisfying. The literature standard was of good quality, and I barely noticed any editing issues, which rarely happens in books nowadays.
I recommend this book to anyone that wishes to read on in-depth human emotions, drama, and plays.
Written by Jeyran Main
If you would like a book review click here
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