Book Review, Sale and FREE!

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Sometimes, the dead aren’t dead at all and The Other Side holds all the answers we seek.

Melinda has the perfect life: a great dad, wonderful mother, and her brother Kyle who she actually likes. Factor in the best of all best friends in the world and life could not get much better for Melinda. Sadly, it can and will get a whole lot worse and does in this unique, engulfing young adult novel.

After a horrible tragedy takes the life of her father, Melinda feels her world crumbling around her until another person close to her dies and takes the place of her dad…or do they?

Sometimes, when people cross over, they aren’t always gone and soon Melinda begins to see her dead friend and hear the voice of her father who actually DID die; impossible, she knows, but so real she cannot help but tell others. Her trusting way would be her downfall and soon Melinda is seen as an unstable, confused girl and remanded to an insane asylum where she stays for many years; the voices and faces of the dead her only friends. After years of struggling to understand and make others believe her tales, Melinda is given one last chance to earn her freedom from the asylum and from the dead who haunt her every move. The man who can give her this chance is new doctor, Alex Leever, but can he be trusted? Will he believe her story? Will you?

"An absolutely engrossing tale of paranormal unlike any ever told. Melinda’s Story is one that will tug and pull at the very fabric of who you are, before weaving and winding its way into your psyche. A brilliantly written, seamlessly woven plot that screams ORIGINALITY and begs to be read again and again!!! Young adult and paranormal fans the world over rejoice…a new voice has arrived and she is not leaving anytime soon! Starr Gardinier has penned a tale so believable, enthralling, and wonderfully special, it deserves its place among the very best in its genre…distinctive and vivid, “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” is a MUST READ!"

~ CK Webb, Co-Author of “Collecting Innocents”

Book Review: "Crazy About You" by Katie O'Sullivan

"Crazy About You" by Katie O’Sullivan

I love romance. I love suspense. “Crazy About You” has both. Katie does a magnificent job weaving love and murder together. A cozy, this novel will have your cheering on the protagonist and worrying about if the protagonist will be around long enough to enjoy the romance coming her way.

Emma comes home from New York to Provincetown to visit, but it’s not long before she’s had enough and goes back to New York. But before leaving Provincetown she literally bumps into a stranger. Chase Anderson is in town for his research he’s doing and doesn’t plan on staying long.

Back in New York, Emma is called back to Provincetown to run her mother’s bead store while her parents are away taking care of her brother Sean after emergency surgery.

Chase ends up having to stay longer in Provincetown that he initially anticipated. Before you know it, Emma and Chase spend more and more time together. But Emma’s friend from New York, Tony, doesn’t like it. His cousin Vito reports back to Tony that he spotted Emma out with Chase. He tells her to stop dating, that it doesn’t look good for him. When Emma defends herself and relationship, telling Tony that they were only friends, not a couple, Tony makes Vito apologize to Emma.

Vito ends up dead. Emma refuses to believe Tony had anything to do with it. Is she that naïve? Doesn’t she realize who Tony really is? And why should she stop dating Chase just because people think she and Tony are a couple? What is really going on? It’s rumored to be mob-related. Is it true?

So many questions and I will not answer a single one. This is a book you have to read to find out. Katie will draw you in like she did to me. You won’t stop until you’ve reached the end. Very enjoyable.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”

Book Review

"The Incidental Spy" by Libby Fischer Hellmann

This is not your typical spy novel but one that engages and engrosses the reader from beginning to end.

Even though bound by love for a man she’ll never have, Lena is sent to Chicago to live with her aunt to escape 1935 Nazi Germany. After some time, she falls in love with another, but never forgets her first love. Unfortunately, soon after having a baby, her husband is killed and Lena is left alone to raise their child. She’s financially strapped and needs to do what she has to in order to provide for and protect her son.

This is a look into Lena’s life when she’s forced to become a spy. This book will have you spellbound and Lena is anything but an ‘incidental spy.’ When the truth is revealed, it will leave you speechless.

I commend Hellmann on a well-written, intriguing novel. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of the Other Side Series

Book Review

“Kill you Twice” by Chelsea Cain

How do you kill someone twice? Intriguing indeed. The title captured my attention, but the contents within had me racing to the finish.

Archie Sheridan is plagued with horrors from the past, tortured by his recollection of what ex-lover and serial killer Gretchen Lowell did to him. He is lucky to be alive. But it’s not over with Lowell, not by a long shot. Lowell may be locked up in an insane asylum, but it doesn’t make her any less of a threat as Sheridan races to find out if there is a copycat mimicking Lowell or a new serial killer all of his or her own.

Meanwhile ex-journalist and friend of Sheridan, Susan Ward, becomes entwined in Sheridan’s present case and their mutual history with Lowell. Ward tries to protect a teenager who both she and Sheridan dealt with in the past. It’s all—at least most of it—tied in with Lowell. But how? It’s a question Susan and Sheridan both want an answer to.

I haven’t read the previous books in the series and frankly, this was a bit of a hindrance. In my opinion, the characters’ interaction and affiliation with each other could have been explained a bit more for the reader such as myself who jumped in the middle. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. On the contrary. Now I want to go back and read all I missed before this book.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of "The Other Side: Melinda's Story"

Book Review

“Forbidden Sister” by V.C. Andrews

I always love reading new authors, delving into a style I’m unaccustomed with. Then there are those authors who you pick up again after a long time and feel like you’re back home again. That’s the way it was for me reading “Forbidden Sister.” It’s been some time since I’ve picked up a V.C. Andrews book and I realized how much I’ve always loved her voice, style, and storylines.

Emmie Wilcox, fifteen years old, has a secret. It’s her sister Roxy who was cast out of the family when Emmie was only six. She has few memories of Roxy, but wants to make more. Or does she? Better question is, should she? The fantasy and mysterious idea of having an older sister she can learn from, mimic, and share day-to-day life with is something out of a fairytale book, but one Emmie wants to come true. She finds out where Roxy lives and with her at-the-time best friend, spies on her. Roxy’s world seems glamorous and Emmie wants to know more.

When the family dynamics change in a grievous way, Emmie strikes out to create ties with Roxy, whether she wants them or not. That’s when Emmie finds out that Roxy’s life isn’t one consisting of peaches and cream, but it’s too late because she’s already thrown into what could become a dangerous way of survival.

Andrews’ new series starts with “Forbidden Sisters.” If you liked “Flowers in the Attic” (who didn’t?), you will love this new series just as much, if not more. A must read.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Curse of the PTA” by Laura Alden

I realized after finishing this book, I don’t read enough cozies. I forget how delightful and entertaining they are. “Curse of the PTA” is definitely one of those.

Beth Kennedy is a bookstore owner, mom, President of the PTA, and police consultant. Police consultant, you ask? Sounds rather odd for someone who seems to be a wholesome, small town woman. True, but apparently Beth has a habit of coming across dead bodies and has an ability to find out some of the most inane information that to most, would seem like nothing, but ends up leading her to suspects. Some right, some…not-so-right.

Dennis Halpern is a financial consultant and Beth has him at a PTA meeting to discuss possible choices of investing the PTA’s money. But before he gets too much of a chance to actually say a few words, he’s shot and killed. How bad is this PTA anyway?

Alden’s story is enjoyable and I love the wit she throws in. Definitely recommended. Make it your next book you bring to the beach this summer.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Fragile Angel” by Stefaunia Dhillon

One word: creepy. That’s the perfect word for “Fragile Angel.” And it’s right up my alley. Once I started this book, I was unable to put it down.

Happily—at first—to set off on an adventure with her new husband Michael, Evie discovers that life isn’t always what you make it. Instead, it is what is destined for you. And this is what Evie finds out when she moves to England.

Michael purchases a 13^th Century Gothic Church to restore as their new home. Evie is not at all happy that he did this without consulting her first. But over time, and much rebuilding, they settle in. Then she finds out they are not alone. She’s confused and battles with demons and spirits she doesn’t understand. She’s desperate to share her feelings and newfound abilities—which actually, without realizing it all these years, have always resided within her—with Michael. But he can’t deal with what she is telling him, that the church has a life of its own and is calling her.

Feeling alone, she strikes out on a journey to find out why she is so connected to Catherine, one of the spirits at the church. What she finds out is not what she expects when she began her new life in England.

If you can overlook errors commonly made by a debut author and love this side of creepy in a story, you will love this book as I did. Intriguing, suspenseful, and downright otherworldly, it’s a story I was sad to see end. Hopefully, we’ll see more from Dhillon soon.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Silencing Eve” by Iris Johansen

It’s a rush to the end. It’s a thrilling ride. It’s the breathtaking, at times heartbreaking, continuation of the Eve Duncan series. I’ve loved every book I’ve read by Johansen, but “Silencing Eve” outshines them all.

Taken by Doane—an evil man and Kevin’s father, who Eve’s father Zander killed—Eve is made to recreate Kevin’s skull so that Doane can have his revenge. He wants Eve to die under the watchful, guilt-ridden eyes of Zander. Sort of a tit for tat thing. But that’s not all. Kevin was more evil than Doane could ever be and Doane wants to finish what Kevin put into motion before his death and kill thousands of innocent people.

Eve is unable to do much but subconsciously reach out to those around her. As readers, we watch while Eve’s family and friends run from Chicago to Seattle to try and stop the detonation of events that will lead to a horrific number of deaths—and try to save Eve at the same time. But they get a little help from a source that some of them are having a hard time believing even exists.

Even if you’ve not read Johansen’s other books, I implore you to pick this one up. Johansen is a master at weaving suspense and making you sit on the edge of your seat, literally picking apart the seams of the chair while urging everyone to hurry. Because there’s not much time left…for Eve or thousands of others.

Definitely 10 out of 10 stars all the way.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Apartment 16” by Adam Nevill

Creepy. Haunting. Those are two great words to describe this book. But a few other words that come to mind are superbly written.

A mother and her daughter inherited an apartment in the elite area of London from their unbalanced Aunt Lillian. The mother is afraid to fly from America to London, so her daughter Apryl is given the task of taking care of clearing it out and selling the apartment in Barrington House.

Then we have Seth, the night porter of the Barrington House. He’s artist with a drive like no other. He becomes embroiled in the troubles complained about by neighboring dwellers of Apartment 16. Noises are heard and Seth must investigate. What he finds is horrifying and—in a very weird way—inspirational to his artistic side.

When Apryl begins hearing noises and seeing things in mirrors and paintings that shouldn’t be there, she starts asking questions. She finds out that the previous owner of Apartment 16 disappeared years before and when she is able to speak to a few of her deceased aunt’s neighbors, ends up with more information than she bargained for.

Seth and Apryl finally meet and Seth is immediately smitten, but he has a job to do and unfortunately, Apryl has to go. Seth is the person elected for the job and brings her to Apartment 16—a place she has been dying to get into to find out what all the hoopla is about. There, she discovers a vortex from which evil is trying to drag her down.

This book will grab a hold of you and like the evil it portrays, won’t let go. It’s a thriller and a horror and the imagery within its pages will have you up long into the night. And when you finish the book, you’ll find you just can’t turn the lights off.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Fatal Descent” by Beth Groundwater

One of the things I’ve always wanted to do—still on my bucket list—is whitewater rafting. But after reading “Fatal Descent,” I know I will take Groundwater’s story with me on the rapids, hoping that the thrill of the fiction doesn’t come to fruition.

Mandy Tanner and Rob Juarez, engaged to be married, enjoy the outdoors and own RM Outdoor Adventures. Together, they entertain and guide clients rafting and climbing to and through some absolutely fascinating and beautiful places.

“Fatal Descent” is set in Utah on the Colorado River where beauty lies along with some pretty dangerous rapids. But the hazardous whitewater they expect to experience is the least of Mandy and Rob’s worries. The rapids—as the reader soon finds out—pale in comparison to the murder that ensues, especially when they realize that one of their clients is the killer and they may be marked as the next to go.

To make matters worse, their radio—their only source of communication to the outside world—has been compromised and is completely useless. Mandy and Rob must figure out who killed one of their clients while curtailing further murderous attempts. But another of their customers almost dies rappelling down a cliff and the risks become greater.

Cascading down the rapids is thrilling, but when there’s a killer in the midst, it becomes horrifying.

A very entertaining read with rich depictions of the Utah area. I will be looking forward to more Groundwater escapades.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Sin” by J.M. LeDuc

I’ve read LeDuc’s previous work and was completely entertained by them. But now, with this new series he’s started, The Sinclair O’Malley series, it’s more than entertaining. It’s thrilling, it’s quickly-turn-the-page heart racing, and it’s a series that I will definitely continue to read.

FBI Agent Sinclair O’Malley—known as Sin—is someone you don’t want to mess around with. Seemingly made of stone, she really has the heart of gold, but is steadfast and brazen during her missions. She trusts few people and even those people become suspicious in "Sin."

Her father is dying and this is the time for Sin to mend fences with him. To do this, she needs to go back home and while she’s there, her superiors tell her, she can go under the radar and investigate the mass of young girls’ dead bodies that have been found in the Keys. And of course, why two FBI agents were murdered there.

Sure, she can go under the pretense of visiting her sick father. Sure, she can find out why these young girls are being found murdered. Sure, she can find out what happened to two FBI agents. Sure, she can go in alone against ruthless killers and sick and twisted individuals without any back up. Sure; why not?

And when she does, she finds there’s more to the story than just dead girls and FBI Agents. Connecting with Charlie, an old friend and previous mentor, Sin sets her sights on Prophet Heap, the new ‘god-loving’ man in town. The very one who has the entire town under his thumb and the one who ran Sin’s father out of his own church and took it over.

While balancing a reunion with her father, whom she hasn’t seen in seven years, a friendship and eventual romance with long-ago nemesis Troy, she goes into one dangerous situation after another trying to bring down a slave trade and save more young girls from dying.

What Sin and others go through is harrowing, at best, and can be fatal for Sin and others who try to help her. This is a thriller you don’t want to miss. LeDuc has shown he’s on top of his game with some of his best writing. I won’t be missing the rest of this new series!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

SECOND WATCH

By J.A. Jance

While “under the influence” of painkillers after having double knee surgery, Investigator J.P. Beaumont (“Beau”) remembers the unresolved issues from his past. “Ghosts” visit him, prompting him to finish what he left unanswered.

A young woman, killed when Beau was a beat cop, appears and reminds him of her unsolved murder. Known among the cops as the “girl in the barrel,” Monica Wellington was found by two boys and Beau was one of the first cops on the scene. That case got him transferred to the Detectives Division, a promotion he sought for quite some time, and Wellington’s murder was his first as detective. Unsolved, all these years later.

His second visitor was Lieutenant Lennie Davis, better known as Lennie D to the guys in ‘Nam. Lennie D saved Beau’s life by giving him a book to read. That book, tucked against his chest during a battle, took the impact of the bullets and saved Beau. Lennie D wasn’t so lucky. Although Beau knew Lennie D had a fiancé, he never contacted her to tell her of his act of kindness. Unresolved, all these years later.

Beau is recuperating from double knee replacement, but has the old case of Monica Wellington reopened. The detective assigned to aid him—Delilah Ainsworth—was valuable in digging up information, but at what cost? The trail is cold, but starts to heat up when Beau finds that it’s more than a simple murder.

Through years of service, Beau developed contacts throughout the force’s network. Using a few of them, he tries to locate Lennie D’s fiancé. He has to set the score straight and tell her what Lennie D did for him. Is it too late? Will he be able to find her and if so, will she be receptive to what he has to say?

Jance shows that Beau is not perfect, but a very flawed protagonist. This in itself is refreshing. I highly recommend this novel!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

MAGGIE'S MAN

By Lisa Gardner (writing as Alicia Scott)

Alicia Scott...Lisa Gardner...the name doesn’t matter. What does is the magic between the covers of this novel. And that’s what Gardner/Scott writes.

Maggie, a meek, redheaded twenty-seven-year-old woman is duty bound to honor her calling to serve as juror. But instead, ends up being kidnapped by Cain, a convicted murderer, who is there at the courthouse to defend himself pro se. After knocking out a guard, he steals the guard’s clothes, a truck, and Maggie. He binds her to him with the handcuffs he steals from the guard and makes a run for it.

He doesn’t expect meek and mild Maggie to put up a fight and she doesn’t; at least not a physical one. Drawing upon her knowledge and experience of being a marriage counselor, she uses simple morality to turn Cain into someone he never dreamed he’d become.

Whether it be Stockholm Syndrome or just plain loneliness, Maggie begins to believe Cain and everything he tells her. As she fights for her sanity and safety, she begins to see not everything is just in the world and Cain’s cause may just be an injustice.

I was captivated from page one until the end by Cain and Maggie’s stories. And at the culmination, which is typical of romantic suspense, I cheered on Maggie’s heroics and Cain’s desperate entreaty to be seen as someone other than a convicted murderer, and was thrilled when love won out. But what is atypical is Gardner/Scott’s ability to pen an entrancing tale of fanaticism mixed with gripping suspense and love. Well done and I absolutely recommend this book.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”

Book Review

HOLLOW BONES

By CJ Lyons

Maria Alvarado is excited. At just eighteen years old, she’s on her way to an archaeological dig and a major discovery of a Mayan temple in Guatemala. But she has to lie to her parents to get there. But the temple isn’t a discovery and the dig never happens. What does, will blow your mind.

Maria is caught up in a web of murder, treachery, lies, and fatal danger in the jungles of Guatemala. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Caitlyn Tierney is brought into the case when Hector, Maria’s father, contacts the FBI regarding his missing daughter. When he finds out who has his daughter, he attempts to leave Caitlyn in the dust and handle the matter himself. But she isn’t shaken off so easy and is quickly on his tail.

FBI forensic accountant and Special Agent Jake Carver is Caitlyn’s on-again, off-again lover. Both of them profess to love the lonely life, but can’t seem to stay away from each other. He too is brought into the case and goes to Guatemala in search of answers that may bring down BioRegen, a company partially owned by Hector, for allegedly causing the deaths of others.

Caitlyn and Jake work together to save Maria and to put a halt to Hector and Carrera’s—Hector’s business partner in Guatemala—reign of terror. Carrera wants to use Maria’s heart to save his son Michael because she’s a match to Michael, which leads to other questions. Hector is trying to cover up the mass of dead bodies hidden in the jungle to save his own skin. And truths come out about Maria’s parents and their alleged business with BioRegen that leave her speechless. Could Hector be responsible for the murder of thousands of people? Will he ultimately be the cause of her death?

A great story that will have you turning the pages as quick as you can. It’s hard to put down and I recommend this one.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

DEADLY ECHOES

By Philip Donlay

I picked this book up thinking it sounded interesting. Boy, was I wrong. It was more than interesting. Fantastic comes to mind. So does gripping. Once I started, I couldn’t put this book down.

Eco-Watch is a scientific research organization founded by Donovan Nash. It took Donovan a long time and a lot of sweat to build this international institution up to being one of the most solicited in the world. Its technology has been applied to protect the environment in ways other companies could not. But now it’s being attacked by Garrick Pearce, the one person who knows Donovan’s true past. Garrick wants to not only tell the world Donovan’s real identity but to annihilate Eco-Watch and kill anyone close to Donovan. Garrick has a personal vendetta—he believes Donovan is responsible for Meredith Barnes’s death, a woman who fought for the environment and whom Garrick was in love with.

From Alaska to British Columbia to Los Angeles and many other places in between, Donovan follows leads. Garrick taunts him with past pictures of Meredith. He is forced to commit his own crimes as he tries to protect his wife Lauren, daughter Abigail, and a new woman he meets—Erica. Donovan’s marriage was already on the rocks and when Erica makes an appearance in Donovan’s life, it makes Donovan’s personal life go from upsetting to terrifying. Erica holds information that can take down Garrick and his cohorts, but Donovan must keep everyone from getting killed, himself included, in order to use that knowledge.

Not only is Donovan fighting to save Eco-Watch but he’s also racing to save his family, friends, his marriage, and his personal past from being made public. If the world finds out who he really is, not only will Eco-Watch be ruined but his world as he knows it will implode. It’s a race to the finish. From beginning to end, this is one thrill ride that I highly recommend.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“K is for Killer” by Sue Grafton

Kinsey Millhone, private investigator, takes on a case that has more twists and turns than you can imagine; a whiplash effect. But Grafton articulately and decisively brings the reader through each turn, while leaving just a bit of room for guesswork.

Ten months pass since the murder of Lorna Kepler and her mother Janice cannot leave it alone. Lorna was killed and Janice wants the murderer to pay, so she hires Kinsey to look into it after the police come up empty-handed.

Kinsey is resourceful and calls upon her skills as an investigator and her desire to see the bad men of the world be brought to justice—one way or the other. She’s tough when she needs to be, especially calling out people on lies they tend to tell in order to cover their own butts.

After hunting down every clue she can unearth and talking to as many people as she can find, Kinsey is on her way to solving the murder of Lorna. But while she’s doing that, she’s digging up information about the victim that not even the police were aware of. Is it enough to get Kinsey killed? Will she find the murderer without falling victim herself?

Grafton does an incredible job taking the reader through Kinsey’s investigation, and with thrown-in bits of wit, it makes for a very entertaining read.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“A Stake in Murder” by Donald Allen Kirch

Kirch is once again, entertaining the masses with his latest release.

Anton Gerrold is the mortal name for a vampire (Aswang) who wants to feed. He’s been ‘killed’ before and is unfortunately, still around. When Special Agent Napoleon Hill finds out that Anton is still ‘alive,’ he is shocked but immediately jumps into action. He procures the help of Captain Darren Matheson—a nonbeliever of vampires—and mandates that reporter Sebastian Hemlock come to Los Angeles and help with the case before Anton can kill again.

Both Hill and Hemlock fought, found, and ‘killed’ Anton in Phoenix years prior and therefore, have experience in dealing with Aswang. Hill’s career as a reporter was ruined in Phoenix—thanks to Governor Lester Bach and his battle with Anton—and he has no desire to aid Hill now in another Anton debacle.

But desire for revenge is strong and Hemlock agrees to help. He goes to Los Angeles to face not only Anton but his ex-girlfriend, Karon Ramiko, who he is still in love with. Together with Matheson and Karon, Hemlock faces Anton again. Will any of them live to tell the story? And if they do, will the past repeat itself and will no one believe?

Kirch weaves a story that will leave you spellbound as you flip the pages. Great book! I can’t wait to see what Kirch does next!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Without Warning” by David Rosenfelt

Jake Robbins, touted as a hero and who is currently acting Chief of Police, has no idea what the opening of the town’s time capsule is going to do to him and how it’s going to turn it life upside down.

Katie Sanford is the editor of the local paper in Wilton, Maine. This small town has a tradition of burying a time capsule every fifty years. After a hurricane comes through, they fear the worst for the soundness of the capsule and it’s decided it will be opened early to make sure its contents are okay.

Jake, Katie, and many others are there when the capsule is unearthed and opened. What they find is not what they expect…well, they expect some of the items, but something else is included. It’s a list of predictions…murderous predictions. Jake needs to figure out who put it there, why, and what the predictions mean…and fast.

He’s able to figure out the first few, but before anything can be done, the ‘Predictor,’ as he is called, brings about the occurrence of the next prediction. One event after the other is supposed to happen, victim after victim. And Jake figures out quickly that it all has something to do with him. Unfortunately for Katie, it may be too late. She is taken and it’s up to Jake not only to stop further murders but to also save Katie and bring down the man responsible for all the havoc.

A tense novel, which had a grip on me that I couldn’t shake until the last page. Quick-paced, riveting, and completely thrilling. Rosenfelt just made one of my top faves list. Completely recommended!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”

Book Review "The Sum of his Worth"

“The Sum of his Worth” by Ron Argo

In today’s day and age, we don’t think about the prejudices of races. Yes, there are some who do not get along with others, but we don’t worry about segregation and the beatings and killings associated with breaking the rules.

“The Sum of his Worth” takes the reader on a journey when blacks and whites wouldn’t think about mixing in the south. Even though laws were trying to be changed to overcome these prejudices, there are those in the Deep South that refused to consider blacks anything but dispensable. Lynching was part of life for the white man in Alabama and Georgia.

Sonny Poe—a sixteen-year-old—meets Dr. Joe, and they are two white guys in the heart of the south. Sonny already has friends from the neighboring town Ash, who are black. He doesn’t see a problem with it, but does understand how being seen with blacks could affect him and his friends. But Sonny is rebellious and refuses to treat blacks any differently than the whites and Dr. Joe is trying to change the way people think. And some people in the Alabama town consider that to be traitorous and go after both Sonny and Dr. Joe with killing on their minds. They group together the KKK and try to murder Sonny, Dr. Joe, and any black person who thinks to try to rise above their unfortunate status. Will Sonny and Dr. Joe both die trying to do what’s right?

Argo has woven a story that unfortunately, was a little too close to the truth to think of as fiction. This well-written novel will have you gasping and flinching at the corruption and vileness. A very poignant novel, written in the voice of those of the 60s. Well done, Argo.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”

Book Review "The Edge of Normal"

“The Edge of Normal” by Carla Norton

Pay it forward. A term many of us have come to know and have done, I’m sure, at least once. That’s what Reeve LeClaire is doing in “The Edge of Normal.” Reeve is a past victim trying to overcome her kidnapping and torture as a teenager. Now in her early twenties, she’s still seeing Dr. Lerner on a weekly basis. But he leaves town in order to counsel another young girl, whose situation is eerily similar to Reeve’s nightmare from ten years prior.

Reeve gets a call from Dr. Lerner while he’s away. The family of the newest victim wants her to come and speak to their daughter Tilly. Since Reeve has been through the acclimation back into society after a brutal assault, they think her strength may help Tilly. Albeit hesitantly, Reeve agrees to try and assist the young girl.

Helping Tilly is more than an emotional trial for Reeve. She has to relive what the monster did to her in order for Tilly to come to terms with what’s happened. But then Tilly reveals to Reeve things about two other young missing girls, Hannah and Abby. Reeve is bound to keep Tilly’s secret, but knows she needs to do something. She goes out on her own and tries to find evidence that the police haven’t located. She makes headway, but now it’s her life that hangs, once again, in the hands of another.

An absolute thrill from page one to the end. I must admit that just before the end, I thought, “Oh, no. Norton is going to disappoint me. She can’t do this.” For just a second, I wanted to put the book down. Boy, am I glad I didn’t! Wow! Norton blew me away! You will not believe the ending; just when I thought it was over and I don’t get…never mind. I can’t say anymore without giving it away. Suffice to say, you have to read this book!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”