Coming May 6th

http://www.emigayle.com/blog/

I had a really great bio in my head around midnight one night …. right before I fell asleep and it disappeared into the nothingness of unconsciousness. Bummer. So here’s something less well thought out.

I want to be young again, so I’m kinda sorta living it again. At least on paper. You see, I write paranormal romance. Now, that stuff can get really hot, and really gritty and well … mine does. But! My characters are teenagers, 18 and under. Like I was once … and want to be again.

Why would I want to be a teenager again? Geez. Because! If you met the man of your dreams at 14 was engaged to him at 19 and married him at 20, wouldn’t YOU want to do all that over again? Especially if you were still in love with him? I mean, c’mon! It’s love! That’s why I write, too.

You see… just because you pass a certain age doesn’t mean you forget what it was like to be 14, 15, etc. Actually, because I kinda grew up with my husband, we both still feel like the 14 and 17 year old kids we once were. So that’s where I’m coming from. You might think it’s totally lame, but you know what? That’s ok! Maybe you’ll like my other me instead. 

Stuck in the Doldrums: A Lesson in Sharing by Carole P. Roman

     Captain No Beard and his crew are stuck on the shore. No wind to send them sailing off into adventure and so they try to find ways to stay busy.  The crew begins to build sand castles and rather than build his own, Captain No Beard decides to rearrange them the way he wants them.  The crew decides to stay on shore  but soon Captain No Beard will need their help.

     Carole P. Roman does a wonderful job of keeping things fresh and new in each of her books.  She keeps the feelings children get right on par with every book.  Your children will love this book as much as the others in the series.  I think every child should have these in their library.

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 out of 5 cheers because it touches on a very important lesson.

Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience by Carole P. Roman

     Captain No Beard has a new crew member. Her name is Pepper Parrot. The other crew members like Pepper but find she has a real tough time being patient.  They also find out Pepper needs to be trained when it comes to words pirates use on board the ship.  The crew wonders if they'll ever get her trained.

     A lesson is patience is terrific for kids.  As parents we are always searching for new ways to get these lessons across to our children.  Carole P. Roman has found a fantastic way. Make the lesson fun. Make sure it's easy to understand and give someone else the same problem.  I love books like these. Terrific writing kids will love and characters they will want to be like.

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 out of 5 cheers because a book with a lesson is always a great book.

Captain No Beard by Carole P. Roman

     Captain No Beard and his mates, Mongo, Linus, Fribbit and Hallie are off on an adventure.  They are all aboard his ship, the Flying Dragon.  While Captain No Beard shouts orders to his crew, a bad storm blows in.  Prepared as always Captain No Beard takes it all in stride until he sees her.  It couldn't be! Could it?  They'll have to investigate.

     Carole P. Roman has a fantastic start to a series of books children of all ages will love. I especially enjoy the fact these books aren't for either boys or girls, they are for BOTH!  Full of fun and adventure, you'll be traveling back to your childhood with these wonderful books. Great stories with a message and writing that is superb.

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it's about time we had some really great pirate adventures again!

The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman

     Christine Bolz is a seventeen year old girl from a small village in Germany.  She comes from a poor but loving and supportive family.  Isaac Bauerman is the son of a wealthy attorney and Jewish.  On this day, Isaac tells Christine he loves her and she says the same to him.  They make plans to spend time together and explore their future.  Hitler had other ideas and plans. Changes came quickly to Germany and the small village.  Isaac and Christine could no longer see each other.  Worried for the Bauerman's safety, Christine went in search of Isaac.  She found him only moments before the SS officers came to transport Isaac's family away.  Christine's world crashed to the ground.  She just knew she'd never see Isaac again.  World War II brought many horrors and changes, but would they survive them?

     If you love history, as I do, or anything about WWII, this is the book for you.  Ms Wiseman gives  us a close up look at hope, desperation and pure, true love.  It also gives us a new reason to despise Hitler and his men.  Extremely well written and detailed, this book is splendid!  Ms Wiseman has a way of bringing in information to keep this story fresh and lively.  Terrific characters and a real keeper, GET THIS BOOK!!

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because I felt like I was right there with Christine.

Drive-Thru Shoes by Steven Brandsdorfer

    *Novella*

     The store was due to close this evening for renovation.  It would be awhile before the employees could come back to the job they loved to hate.  Manager Leonard Twilley was especially excited. He'd get to just relax and have fun.  Each employee comes to work with their own set of problems.  Will everything be settled by the close of the store or will they still be working on their problems when they come back to work. 

     Unique and funny story of employees at the "fast food" of shoes.  This is the first installment of this book and it's definitely not an ordinary subject to write about.  The writing is good and characters easily fit into our world.

     I did find issues. I felt the book and the subject really didn't make sense.  I understand the premise, but I can't imagine many wanting to read a soap opera style book. Not a very good soap opera style book.

     I gave this one 3 out of 5 cheers because this book just didn't make a connection.

Hostile Witness by Rebecca Forster

     Josie Bates is an attorney who recently moved from the city to a smaller law practice.  Her last case in the city really took a toll on her mentally. She needed the time to rejuvenate.    When  Linda Sheraton-Rayburn showed up at her door, Josie knew it was bad news.  The two shared an apartment in college and she'd learned quickly Linda wasn't there to study books.  Now, Linda's daughter was in trouble. She'd been arrested for the murder of State Supreme Court Justice Fritz Rayburn. Justice Rayburn was well respected and adored by many.  Josie, however, wasn't sure she could take this case.  It meant putting her faith in the honesty of her client.  The last time she did that, children lost their lives.  Josie decides to take the leap of faith required and what a leap it is.  The more she learns about this case and the people it affects, the more sure she is she needs to give up the case.

     Gritty and captivating, this book has a huge cast of characters and possible murderers.  The story is plotted out well and written in such a way it brings you right to the center of the action.  You can almost hear Josie's heart pounding in some parts.  Characters you'll love or love to hate make this a fantastic mystery.  Josie is a bring it or go home kind of woman, especially as an attorney, so it makes following her moves dangerous and exciting.  You'll be stuck in the center of this tornado and watching it swirl around. Just when you think you've figured it all out, WHAM! something new is added to the mix.

     I found no issues with this one.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it ranks up there with the very best mysteries.