Better off Dead by Matthew Rowe

    Mummy's, vampires, werewolves and dragons are all part of the war between Khalid and Lucian.  Two powerful men both of whom want control of Londinium.  This war takes place far into the future when supernaturals are common place and humans are the minority.  Khalid enlists the help of a rag tag bunch of misfits to further his hold on Londinium. Ramses, P-Head, Gimpy and Kenempti work together, not always well, to push back Lucian and his warriors.  Finding themselves in several bad situations, they must learn to work together before they can be of any help in the war.  They each have their own agenda in helping Khalid but somehow together this group does the impossible. 

    Quirky, humorous and wonderful, this book will keep you entertained for quite some time.  Each character is well developed and certainly worthy of a book of their own.  I loved the humor mixed with the outright silliness in this one.  I recommend it to everyone, not just those who enjoy supernaturals.  Everyone will take away an enjoyable experience.  The story is well thought out and written in a way that makes it easy to follow.  Get this book.

     I didn't find any issues with this one.
    
     I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because you rarely see humor mixed with supernaturals.

Once; Ask Me Anything, Not Love by Mian Mohsin Zia

     An author who is very successful with his career but has not found love. He really hasn't given it much thought until he goes away on holiday.  Once he's in the Ukraine and enjoying himself, he meets a woman who could possibly change his life.  She could be his love.  Things don't always go smoothly in the world of love though and in the author's case it doesn't fair any better.  Can he win this woman's love and share life with her as he wants to do? It might take some time to find her first. 

    This book has a bit of everything in it. Poetry, Prayers and a story.  The author is very brave to use first person in a book like this.  It can take one of two paths. It can be excellent and enjoyable  or it can be boring and bland.  I'm sorry to say this book followed the second path.

    I did find issues with this book.  It has no emotion, no feeling. The words are written in a plastic way.  It's as though you are reading Mian's diary instead of a book full of love.  I found it strange that he would include the moments when he intruded on the private affairs of others. Cultural differences aside, it's just plain bad taste to attend a wedding and a funeral of people you don't know.  You weren't invited yet you stay and act as though you belong with these families.  This book is self absorbed and in no way holds the readers attention.  I would not recommend this book at all. 

     I gave this book 1 out of 5 books because it wasn't a book. It was a collection of thoughts on paper. 

I ADORE my author friends BUT.....

  HI All!

    I'm writing this memo because I can't seem to make writers understand one simple little thing. Reviewers haven't said much about it and maybe I'm a nag because I am speaking up, but I need to.  When you send an ebook for review if the file name has numbers and letters or some code only you understand, it's nearly impossible for a busy reviewer to find it when it's your turn for the review.  

   I have a HUGE volume of reviews to do so maybe it bothers me more than it does others, but when you send me a file and it's all numbers and letters, chances are slim I'll ever remember what numbers and letters were yours.  I've tried and had others more competent than I try, to rename the file but it doesn't work. It always reverts back to the numbers and letters.  I have over 100 with numbers and letters I have to sort through to find the right book when I'm moving down the review list. It slows down the process even more when I spend an hour or more searching for your book.

   PLEASE label the file with your book's title or your name. Either will work.  THANK YOU for your patience and your attention to this matter.

   Yes I am really really far behind on reviews. I've had 2 surgeries recently, I've got an upper respiratory infection accompanying the flu and an array of other illnesses I won't bore you with. I read as much as I possibly can and as fast as I can in light of the above issues.  Please know I will finish each review though it may take longer than first expected. IF you'd choose to have someone else review it and not me, that's fine, just tell me so and I'll delete your book from my files.  Thank you for your patience with me!

Melanie Adkins

A Shared Confidence by William Topek

     Devlin Caine is back with a new mystery that puts his brother in the hot seat.  Although they've been estranged for five years, Nathan Caine reaches out to his brother for help.  Money is missing from his department at the bank and Nathan's name is all over it. The problem is, Nathan swears he didn't sign the documents allowing the money to be moved and ultimately taken.  
     Meanwhile in Kansas City, Devlin is meeting with a potential client about a situation he got himself into. It seemed okay. A quick way for the client to make money. What happened was he lost everything.  Sensing there was nothing more he could do for the man, Devlin bid him goodbye and got back to his brother's problem.  This was Devlin's chance to show his brother how well he did his job.  Now all he had to do was get to Baltimore and find out who really took the money from the bank. Should be an easy case. People always left a trail, you just had to know where to look.  Devlin finds out his brother's problem is tied up with state and federal agencies but for other reasons. Will the case blow up in Devlin's face or can he use the agencies resources and men to figure it all out?

     LOVE Devlin Caine! He's a wonderful character! This is William Topek's second book and each one just gets better and better. The historical facts in this book are very accurate and fun to read. The book takes you to an age when detectives did almost anything to solve a case. You'll enjoy the intricate twists and turns in this book.  Just when you're sure things have settled, something else happens to blow up all your theories. I recommend this book highly. 

    I didn't find issues with this one.

    I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because I love an old fashioned detective novel.

Gotcha Gas: Debacle Near Roswell by M.A. Banak & Bill Weimer

  Ramon was give the deed to some property.  Curious about the new  property, Ramon went to the library to research it. There was nothing available on the small town of Gotcha, New Mexico. Even more curious, Ramon decides to go to New Mexico to find this town.  The trip seems to be for nothing until Ramon is approached by an older man. He assures Ramon he can help him in his quest to uncover anything about the town of Gotcha.  
     Gotcha started out as a real estate investment. A way to make quick money.  What it became was a small town with lots of problems and no sure way to fix them.  The people of the town are as quirky as the town and it's founders are.  Each one contributes in their own way.  When the founders are told there may be two gold mines under the town and there was a Spanish treasure located near the town, they  put their heads together to figure out a way to finance the digs.  Let the fun begin!

    Humorous, fun and an easy read, you'll enjoy this book from beginning to end.  The characters are an eclectic group of people.  Each one is a star in their own right.  It's easy to like all of the characters because they are well defined.  Well written, this book puts you right in the middle of it all. I found this one a joy to read.  I was laughing out loud in some parts.  I suppose because I know people who could fit into these characters skins very easily.   This on is informative, but it's basis is fun!  

   The one issue I found was the double naming of chapters.  I felt it was an unnecessary step to take.  

    I gave this book 5 out of 5 books because it tickled my funny bone over and over. 

Tukie Tales: A New Beginning For A Better Tomorrow: LOST by Debbie Burns and Patty Cockrell

      One spring day, Jake and his younger sister Amy were playing in the backyard. A strange noise lured them into the forest.  They met some wonderful animals who could talk! While exploring, Jake and Amy got lost and didn't know which way was home.  The Tukies and many other animals said they'd help them find their way home. How can animals help though? Why are they talking to Jake and Amy? Time to do some exploring of your own and find out.

     This book is one of the cutest ones out there for young children. The characters are fun and the story is well written and includes a moral.  I love that children can learn a lesson while enjoying a colorful story. I recommend this to all parents. 

      I didn't find issues in this one.

      I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because children need more books that include lessons or morals in them. 

Perfect Skill by Robert Andrew Mayher

    A small group is working together, in secret, to advocate against the government of Mexico City.  Jorge, the main star of the propaganda videos that appear on Aztec TV, is working to help the poor, weak and vulnerable.  His biggest contributor is Carlos Ortega. Carlos is in charge of Aztec TV and can see to it the videos make it on air.  They recruit a man fresh to the big city to help film these videos in different hotel rooms across the city.  Pedro Chavez is from a small farming village. He left because drought  destroyed all the crops and he needed to provide for his sister.  Father Juan Martinez is also part of the group. His reason for helping is to flush out those who would use the Catholic church for their own devious means.  They'd like this to be a non-violent protest. An uprising against the government to "unite the poor and oppressed, to promote freedom and justice and to uproot the corrupt government from it's source of power." With several set backs none are sure they can complete their mission but they are willing to give it all they have.  Each one has a reason for wanting this to succeed. 

    Explosive, eye-opening and extremely well written.  This book will knock you off your feet and keep going.  I was surprised to see subjects such as prostitution, molestation and rape enclosed in this book. In the context they are used, it fits though.  Terrific characters that are full and rich with the wonderful writing make this a book you'll enjoy.  You'll feel yourself getting drawn in by the characters and their situations.  I recommend this book highly.

     I found no issues.

    I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because it touches a subject most refuse to discuss- The Catholic Church.