Book Review: Hollywood Underworld by Lindy S. Hudis

 

Hollywood Underworld by Lindy S. Hudis dives into the dark and seedy underbelly of the land where dreams are made. Unfortunately, for many, it's more like the world of nightmares.

Dani Foxx is a former actress who now runs a management company in the San Fernando Valley. Sexy and determined, she's eager to meet Nick Savage, a handsome actor who she is sure will be a star. When Nick is a no-show, and then is found dead days later, Dani, her daughter Dale, and partner A.J. Tarentella are drawn into a world of sex, drugs, and crimes that swirl beneath all the glitter and gold of Tinseltown where lethal secrets and ruthless ambition run wild.

With Hollywood Underworld, Hudis has crafted a sinister and believable tale of the dark side of Hollywood. Dani is a strong female lead that isn't afraid to tackle work and life head on. She's got a spirited teenage daughter that gives her a run for her money. Dani and A.J. make a nice team. 

As I thought about how I would describe this novel, because I liked the premises and the main characters, I read a review that captured what was rambling through my brain--it felt disjointed. They meant it as a compliment, because it harkened back to a certain movie genre they enjoyed that gets snippets from multiple points of view. For me, popping into and out the heads of so many characters left me grasping to fully focus on the main characters' arcs. When Dale is in danger, I felt rushed into it, and then before I knew it, the issue was resolved. I needed more build up. And the editor in me struggled with a book that felt it could have lost 100 pages and still been a great story. 

Hollywood Underworld holds promise as a potential series, which is what seems to be the plan. There are more adventures for Dani, A.J., and Dale that I look forward to reading. The author writes what she knows, giving this series a touch that only she can provide. 

If you enjoy gritty thrillers, give Hollywood Underworld a shot.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09BYPQSD4
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (August 4, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 409 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8450037851

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Audible Book Review: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill (Original Classic Edition)

 

Up until the moment when I sat down to write this review, I didn't realize the Audible version I downloaded was the Original Classic Edition of Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. What readers should be aware of is that some of the material may not be suitable for or may be offensive to a modern audience. If you are looking for the updated version, they have it available in paperback. 

In this classic, bestselling personal development book, Hill shares his steps to riches, also widely known as his Principles of Personal Achievement. Using real life examples like Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, and Edward C. Barnes, Hill shares the importance of setting a goal and using autosuggestion to influence your mind, along with ways to put your desires into action. Hill discusses the importance of removing negative thoughts, avoiding evil, and how to outwit fear.

Having read the Original Classic Edition, I certainly want to take out the paperback version that I own and read the updated one, using it alongside the workbook I have. Hill's philosophy was revolutionary at the time and inspired a variety of future life and business coaches in one way or another. 

They made a movie from the book titled, Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy. While I haven't watched the whole movie yet, I've seen clips. This clip might best explain what you can expect from Hill: 

If you are looking to embrace how positive thinking, goal setting, and the application of Hill's Principles of Personal Achievement can work in your life, start by reading Think and Grow Rich.

Product Details

• Unabridged Audiobook
• Language: English
• Publisher: Gildan Media, LLC

This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: The Righteous Arrows by Brian J. Morra

 

In the follow up to Able Archers, Brian J. Morra delivers a fascinating Cold War thriller that leads to a confrontation between U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer Kevin Cattani and General-Major Ivan Levchenko on the battlefield in Afghanistan. 

In April 1984, Cattani conducts a perilous covert mission inside a Soviet bunker. His love interest, Sandy Jackson, doesn't want him to go. She knows how close he came to being killed on his last mission, and nightmares of days in Cambodia still haunt him. 

Alongside him will be the military liaison mission (MLM) team and Lydia Morelli, a civilian weapons analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency. Petrified, she wants to get in, get what she needs, and get the hell out. The lack of prep time only seeks to heighten her fears. Ambushed, they barely escape with their lives, and the fallout is destined to create far-reaching repercussions.

The Righteous Arrows is the second book in the Able Archers series. It finds Kevin Cattani working on the opposite side of Ivan Levchenko after the failed mission with MLM. Giving the feeling of a ripped from the headlines type of story, this Cold War thriller packs a punch. The stakes are high and foreshadow the global war on terror.

Drawing from his own experience, Morra has crafted an engaging page-turner. Though I felt it read more like a biography than a novel, the material is riveting. I found the use of the first-person present tense a bit awkward, especially because it was used for both main characters--Cattani and Levchenko. The use of dates helps to position the reader in the right place, and the use of historical quotes adds relevant points of view for the reader. Having a list of characters at the onset is helpful as story moves along. 

If you enjoy historical fiction, political thrillers, or military thrillers, The Righteous Arrows is for you.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CTQMR76J
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Koehler Books (April 16, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 326 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8888242803

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish Promises of 2024 Update

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.    

Happy Tuesday! Can't recall the last time I participated in this weekly meme, but it is one of my favorites. This week's topic is supposed to be "Posts I’ve Written That Give You the Best Glimpse of Me." Instead, I've opted to update readers on how the bookish promises I made in January are coming along. 

Top Ten Bookish Promises for 2024 - Update

Complete my Goodreads Challenge.

This is the one and only challenge I tackle each year. I started off strong, but now I am 7 books behind. Luckily, I have a few reviews to write. 

Read 15 books from my TBR Pile.

I've read eight books  from my TBR Pile, so I'm feeling good about this goal. I also started another one last week. 

Read 8 leadership books from my TBR Pile.

So far, I've read eight nonfiction books that are either personal growth, business or leadership. Only two are directed toward leadership. 

Read one book in a genre I don't usually read. 

This is an annual promise, because I like to expand my horizons beyond beloved genres you'll find here. I have not tackled this yet.

Weed out my Goodreads and Kindle freebie "Want to Read" lists.

Though low priority, I do this in small bits as I have time. 

Finish editing my NaNoWriMo project.

Done and submitted to a publisher. This publisher wanted a synopsis, so I ended up polishing the manuscript numerous times, writing a query letter, then taking the synopsis I wrote before the book was started and tweaking it to get it ready to send over. 

Plan out the next steps in my writing career.

I've made progress on this one. I've updated my website bio, welcome message, and changed some pages around. I need to figure out how to remove the background image. Despite customizing it and clicking on remove background image, that primary background remains. I will need to do some more tweaking. 

This is in anticipation of my small town Christmas romance being picked up by a publisher. Even if that doesn't happen, I want to change the website so that it reflects what I want to write... or think I want to write. 

Re-organize my works in progress.

Not a project I've dabbled in yet, but it's in the back of my mind.

Submit one short story.

The online magazine I had published a story in back in 2022 has since closed. So, I haven't yet figured out if I want to keep this promise or not. I still have four months to make it happen. 

Participate in NaNoWriMo.

I am already brainstorming ideas to participate in NaNoWriMo in November.

How are your goals coming along? What is the progress you are most proud of? 

Book Review & Giveaway: Death in St. George's by M. A. Monnin

 

The Intrepid Traveler Mystery series returns for its third installment titled, Death in St. George's by M.A. Monnin.

Stephanie Adams and Thomas Burkhardt are ready for some rest and relaxation in Bermuda thanks to renting a house from one of her colleagues. But their romantic rendezvous is quickly waylaid when they are contacted by an archeologist to help recover an emerald bracelet stolen from a dig site. 

Though Thomas isn't thrilled about the interruption, Stephanie can't resist the allure of buried Spanish treasure. Then one of the archeology team is murdered, making everyone--including Stephanie and Thomas--suspects. Long-held secrets are uncovered as they work to find a killer before it's too late.

Having not read the first two books in the Intrepid Traveler Mystery series, I didn't know what a treat I was in for. Stephanie is a bank exec turned popular travel blogger, and Thomas works for Interpol, investigating cases involving valuable historical artifacts. And while Thomas is good at his job, he just wants the two of them to enjoy time investigating romantic adventures like dinner cruises and glow worms in lovely Bermuda. Instead, their happy holiday is hijacked by theft on a dig they are called to assist with, which ends up turning into so much more. 

What I loved about Death in St. George's is how the author quickly drew me in so that I felt like I had to keep reading through to the end. There were a lot of characters to get to know, twists and turns that made you lean one way and then the next, and that hint of tension when Greg, the colleague they were renting the house from (who also happens to be attracted to Stephanie), ends up in Bermuda and keeps showing up at the house they were renting from him. It all plays into the plot nicely, but my real estate head kept thinking about how many tenant's rights Greg was violating. 

Death in St. George's is a fabulous, engaging mystery with a plot that keeps you guessing until the end. I look forward to reading more books in this series. 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books (May 14, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1685126480
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1685126483

I downloaded a NetGalley copy of this book for the tour. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN BY CLICKING HERE!

Poetry Collection Review: Knowing: Poems by Mark Cox

 

Explore the raw emotion of the human experience in Knowing by Mark Cox. 

The author of more than half a dozen poetry collections, Cox's candid poems about love, loss, family, relationships, growing older and more grips at numerous heartstrings and provokes deep thought. It tells the story of life through introspection in all its sweet, hard, and ugly ways. Knowing explores the quickly fleeting years of parenting. It unravels the regret found in hindsight. It dismantles the idea that all you have to do is believe to obtain a dream. It embraces that we all live, love, and grow old in all kinds of ways that bring us joy and sorrow.  

As a mother in transition, I connected most with the poems about looking back at the years spent parenting our children, only to watch them go off on their own--as they should--and leave behind bittersweet memories of their younger years. 

If you enjoy deeply emotional, introspective poetry, then Knowing is for you. It is a beautiful collection of poetry wrapped in a stunning-looking package. 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Press 53; First Softcover ed. edition (April 11, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 98 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1950413799
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1950413799
• 
  

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Audible Book Review: The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman

 

If you are a writer, if you're thinking of making a career out of writing, or if you want to learn more about the business part of being a writer, then you need to read The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman. 

After having spent decades in the publishing industry, Friedman shares her vast knowledge about what it takes to be successful. This in-depth resource is broken down into five sections:

• Making a Life as a Writer
• Understanding the Publishing Industry
• Getting Published
• The Writer as Entrepreneur
• How Writers Make Money

Friedman, who has focused on author education and trend reporting for years, leaves no stone unturned as she gives you sound advice based on decades of experience. Just as important as learning the craft of writing, is learning how to successfully manage a writing business. Friedman dissects the publishing industry for you. She shares everything from generating leads to working with publishers to grants and contests and everything in between. If it has to do with the business of writing, then you will find it in The Business of Being a Writer. Three helpful appendices provide additional information and resources. 

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert, The Business of Being a Writer should be a go to resource for writers everywhere.

Listening Length	11 hours and 33 minutes
Author	Jane Friedman
Narrator	Tavia Gilbert
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	March 26, 2019
Publisher	Tantor Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B07PMSLTXC

I own a copy of this book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts

 

If you are looking for a book that celebrates books, the ups and downs of life, romance, and friendship, then The Best Life Book Club is the right choice. 

Karissa Newcomb relocates to Gig Harbor with her daughter after she divorces her husband for cheating with the next door neighbor. It's an emotional time, and her mother certainly isn't making things easier. Luckily, she has a new job at a small publishing company. Her boss, Edward, isn't overly friendly or quick-witted, but Karissa loves to read, and this job gives her a chance to meet authors. 

Her new neighbors, Alice and Margot, are also in transition. Alice is still grieving the loss of her husband Charlie, and Margot is floundering after getting divorced and then laid off. Seems like they all need a restart. What better distraction than a book club? Then Alice's sister Josie joins in. While they struggle to get close to Josie because of her cynical view of life, they enjoy exploring books together. This new endeavor just might be what all of them need to begin building their best lives yet.

No one writes women's fiction better than Sheila Roberts. I feel like every book is my favorite, but then a new one comes out and it's my new favorite. The Best Life Book Club brings together characters who are all going through some form of transition in their lives. As they explore their love of reading together, they learn more about themselves, they draw closer to each other, they embark upon new endeavors and romantic relationships, and ultimately find their way to the start of new and exciting lives.

If you love books, romance, and friendship, you need to grab a copy of The Best Life Book Club today!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ MIRA; Original edition (May 7, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0778305481
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0778305484

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Long and Short Reviews 17th Anniversary Party & Giveaway!!!

Like books? No matter the genre, we have a great place for you to find your next favorite read!

Long and Short Reviews is celebrating their 17th (wow!) anniversary, but you get the gifts. They're featuring more than 50 books in all genres from romance to science fiction, young adult to poetry... no matter your reading preferences, you can find something to enjoy!

What could possibly be better than that? 

How about a chance to win one of two $100 Amazon GCs, of course! Think of how many books you could buy... 

Once you're arrived at the Long and Short Reviews site, simply read through the book posts each day and answer a simple question (or follow authors on their social media accounts) and you're entered to win. New chances to enter every day! So, go visit and enter and don't forget to tell a friend or two. Good luck!

Contest runs from August 19-23, 2024.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Aug 19

 Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.   

Welcome to The Book Connection. So happy to have you here! 

Life is a whirlwind of activity for us. Summer went by in a flash. I've ordered the fall vegetables--because killing a few summer ones wasn't fun enough--and the Lil' Princess is back in Wilmington for junior year. The Lil' Diva celebrated her birthday, and suddenly I have numerous properties under contract that are expected to close within the next few weeks. Oh, and I finished an editing project, took on two new ones, and submitted my seasonal small town romance to a publisher. Phew! 

Happy birthday!

Black Cat Appreciation Day was August 17

Car packed and ready to go to NC

Evening on the Riverwalk in Wilmington

Driving to Myrtle Beach for the plane ride home

Reading has been moving along faster than it was before. Time in North Carolina and the plane ride helped with that. I'm also back to using Audible, which I hadn't listened to in a few weeks. 

My review is scheduled to appear on August 23. It is already on Goodreads. You can check that out here.

My First Chapter Review of this one appeared last Monday. You can read it here.

I finished this book on Sunday. 

I finished this one on Sunday as well. Look for my review on August 22. 

I downloaded this one from Netgalley. Look for my review at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection soon.

I am reading these two and listening to the last one on Audible. 

Upcoming events:

• The Righteous Arrows by Brian J. Morra - August (Review)
• Long and Short Reviews 17th Anniversary - August 19
• Knowing by Mark Cox - August 22 (Review)
• Death in St. George's by M. A. Monnin - August 23 (Review)
• Hollywood Underworld by Lindy S. Hudis - August 30 (Review)
• Side Launch by Brock Martin - October 2 (Review)
• The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts - October 16 (Review)

You can read the latest Christmas news at the Christmas Year Round blog. Click here! Hopefully will have to post at least twice a week at this blog through the end of the year. 

That's it from my little part of the world. I will be back this afternoon to check in with all of you. Thanks for visiting!

Book Blast and Giveaway: Dishing Love Daily and Other Secret Ingredients by Susanne Clark

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotion. The author will award a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

 

Dishing Love Daily and Other Secret Ingredients (trademarked in Canada and the US) is more than a cookbook. Chef Suzy shares her collection of cherished recipes that focus on healthy, fresh, easy-to-find ingredients, appealing to both the novice and experienced cook. She will also guide you to and through a revolutionary, adaptable approach to bringing mindfulness and positivity into the kitchen. It's a timely, relevant and original concept in food craft that weaves our energetic imprint into a meal and into the hearts of those who sit at our table. It's a powerful, creative concept in awareness that will transform the everyday endeavour of nourishing our bodies into a life-changing act of nourishing our souls. Come on, let's get dishing!

Read an Excerpt

Choice

At the heart of this cookbook and my life, is one word: choice. It’s also at the heart of yours. This one word has all the power, purpose and potential to create an intention for nourishment and positivity. Ask yourself: What do I bring to the table? What is my purpose? What am I going to cook today? Who am I cooking for? How can I make a difference? Why is this important? Be curious, joyful and open to the inspiration and answers that are on their way. And remember, sweet, beautiful reader, you are an alchemist . . . in your kitchen and beyond. Trust me when I tell you that there is a tangible shift which can be tasted and felt as you learn to trust your power of intention. Honour time, your choices, and their consequences. You are the question and the answer, to what’s cooking in your kitchen and who sits at your table. I’m offering you a new foundation in food-craft that weaves your energetic imprint into the meal and the hearts of those who sit at your table. Come on, let’s dish some love.

Chef Suzy xo

About the Author:

Susanne Clark, a.k.a. Chef Suzy, earned her Red Seal in Culinary Arts in 2009 at SAIT in Calgary, Canada, apprenticing at Hotel Arts under the talented supervision of Duncan Ly and Karine Moulin. Upon graduation, Chef Suzy established Magnifique Cuisine, a successful catering business in the Calgary area. She also worked full time as the in-house executive chef for one of Canada's original Dragons' Den entrepreneurs, W. Brett Wilson, cooking for his Home Office team and a global circle of business and community leaders, artists and celebrities.

Suzy's first and continuing career as a mother of four empowered and vibrant daughters formed her vision of food as an expression of love and a foundation for healing and sustaining our most important relationships. Suzy loves to travel and seeks out every opportunity to enjoy culinary experiences around the world. She has been married to the love of her life, Richard, for 36 years.

Book Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dishing.love.daily
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefsuzyclark
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dishing.love.daily
Twitter: https://x.com/chefsuzyclark
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-clark-04a73157

a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Chapter Review: Affiliate Marketing for Beginners by Audrey K. Andado

 

I received a digital copy of this business book from Pump Up Your Book for this author's virtual book tour. 

BLURB: Embark on a journey of transformation with Affiliate Marketing for Beginners, where financial freedom is within reach for anyone willing to take the leap. Meet Audrey K. Andado, a seasoned expert in finance, entrepreneurship, and digital marketing, dedicated to empowering individuals through affiliate marketing.

The story begins with a relatable tale of financial struggle, only to discover the game-changing potential of affiliate marketing. Audrey's passion for helping others achieve financial freedom shines through, backed by years of experience in online ventures.

This book's purpose is crystal clear: demystify affiliate marketing and provide a step-by-step roadmap for beginners. Expect a stress-free guide, carefully curated to simplify complex concepts and foster a community of confident entrepreneurs.

Covering niche selection, content creation, traffic generation, and monetization, this book offers actionable insights and real-world examples. However, it steers clear of advanced strategies and technical jargon, ensuring accessibility for all.

Ethical marketing takes center stage, emphasizing transparency and trust-building with your audience. Motivational messages peppered throughout inspire action, inviting readers to unlock their potential and take control of their financial future.

Embark on this transformative voyage. Unlock your potential, transform your life, and take control of your financial future with Affiliate Marketing for Beginners. It's not just a book; it's your first step towards a thriving online business. Embrace the call to action, engage with the lessons, and ignite your affiliate marketing journey today.  

COVER: This is such a fun, colorful, and eye-catching cover. It reflects different aspects of the subject matter and how they fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. How clever!

FIRST CHAPTER: After an introduction that starts out with a personal story, an introduction to the author, and what this book will and won't cover, the engaging first chapter brings you through a lot of information, including: the history of affiliate marketing, what caused it to grow, and what the future looks like, before giving a brief overview that shares the benefits of affiliate marketing and discusses legalities, ethical marketing, and different marketing paths.

KEEP READING: Considering this is a topic of great interest to me, my answer is a resounding yes. Andado has a background in finance, entrepreneurship, and marketing, which makes her the perfect candidate to write Affiliate Marketing for Beginners. She speaks conversationally, but with a confident knowledge of her topic.

I love the selected format, which features an opening paragraph followed by numbered sections with headings to let the reader know what each section is about. This also allows you to easily scroll back and find what you want to read again. The Table of Contents also makes finding what you need easy. I skipped ahead to the end to check out the numerous additional resources created, which is always a great bonus. 

I'm looking forward to diving into this one more soon!

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D3TKYNB6
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (May 9, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8325251443
• 
  

I received a digital copy of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This first chapter review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Reading, Editing & Life

We will be traveling to North Carolina today, so I won't be participating in this week's typical post. Here's a general update. 

Life was hectic this week, but filled with many fun memories as we spent our final days with the Lil' Princess before she returns to college this week. We also celebrated the Lil' Diva's birthday. I completed the editing project I had been working on, as well as the reading project that was overdue. I've also identified two potential publishers for my completed and edited 2023 NaNoWriMo project. The query letter is finalized, so hope to have that submitted by the end of the month. 

Here is an update on my reading world. 

Read a bit from this one. Look for my review on August 22.

My review is scheduled to appear on August 23. It is already on Goodreads. You can check that out here.

My first chapter review of this contemporary romance appeared last week. You can read it here.

My review of this organic cooking book appeared at the blog last week. You can find it here. 

My review of this one will appear here today.

My post for this one is scheduled for August 14.

I have a couple more hours of listening to this Audible book left. 

This was a new arrival for an upcoming review.

Upcoming events:

• The Righteous Arrows by Brian J. Morra - August (Review)
• Affiliate Marketing for Beginners by Audrey K. Andado - August 12 (First Chapter Review)
• Dishing Love Daily by Susanne Clark - August 14 (Book Blast)
• Knowing by Mark Cox - August 22 (Review)
• Death in St. George's by M. A. Monnin - August 23 (Review)
• Hollywood Underworld by Lindy S. Hudis - August 30 (Review)

You can read the latest Christmas news at the Christmas Year Round blog. Click here!

Hope you have a great week!