Meet author Teri M. Brown in her new author bio page at Feathered Quill and learn about her new book, Daughters of Green Mountain Gap, at: https://featheredquill.com/author-bios-teri-brown/
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Meet Author Teri M. Brown
Meet author Teri M. Brown in her new author bio page at Feathered Quill and learn about her new book, Daughters of Green Mountain Gap, at: https://featheredquill.com/author-bios-teri-brown/
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Meet Author Brenda Stanley
Meet author Brenda Stanley in her new author bio page and learn about her new book, The Still Small Voice at https://featheredquill.com/author-bios-brenda-stanley/
#Bookreview of The Still Small Voice by Brenda Stanley
The Still Small Voice
By: Brenda Stanley
Publisher: Twisted Pen Publishing
Publication Date: October 2023
ASIN: B0CJ3VH28R
Review Date: December 12, 2023
The Still Small Voice is so much more than just a mystery - it pulls the reader in from the very first page. While a long-ago murder is the beginning, middle, and end of the story, the family secrets and incredible dysfunction adds so much more to the book and will hold the attention of the reader throughout.
Madison Moore has been separated from her family for a very long time due to their horrible treatment of her as well as their beliefs, which are things she could never accept. At the beginning of The Still Small Voice, Madison is stunned when her father, who is dying, asks her to return home because he must see her. Leaving her own partner, the one person who she knows loves her more than anything, Madison heads for home wondering why her father wants to see her and secretly hoping for an apology for the way her family has treated her. While her father is anxious to see her, the rest of her family does not offer a very warm reception as she walks through the door. Her mother is uncomfortable, and her siblings are adamant that she should not have come and will only bring up bad memories from the past.
As Madison tries to deal with the family dynamics and the pain she still feels at being forced out by them, she also now has to deal with a long-ago murder that her father witnessed and now wants his daughter’s help in solving. He tells Madison that he holds proof that the woman in prison for this murder is not guilty and he begs for her assistance in finding the real killer and freeing a total stranger who has confessed to the murder. As Madison attempts to deal with the heartbreak she still feels around her family as well as the rejection they pile on her, the journalist in her also wants to find out the truth and fulfill her father’s dying wish. As she begins to follow the clues left behind, Madison gets a lot more than she bargained for as she tries to save a woman she does not know, and deal with the tragedies in her own past.
In The Still Small Voice, author Brenda Stanley has given her readers an amazing mystery story along with a riveting family tale. The writing is first-rate and the plot of the story is filled with so much emotion and suspense that it's nearly impossible to stop reading. Each of the characters is well-written and the development of each, done in a slow and superb way, pulls the reader in from the very beginning as we learn more and more about each of them and their past. Between the Mormon customs, perfectly described location and culture, and the emotions of each character shown on the pages, you cannot help but be impressed with the author's writing style and ability to create the perfect tale. The reader will really feel as if they are there in the moment, and I have no higher compliment than that.
The Still Small Voice is a book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or solid family story. Both of the topics are prevalent and combined so well that it honestly has something for everyone. This book should definitely be on everyone’s “do-not-miss-it” list.
Quill says: It is, to me, so easy to say that an author is beyond talented when they can combine tons of emotion, suspense, family dynamics, and mystery into one story. The Still Small Voice is a perfect example of this and will leave readers searching for their own sense of what is right and what is wrong as they turn the pages.
For more information on The Still Small Voice, please visit the author's website at: https://brendastanleybooks.net/
#Bookreview of Tales of Whiskey Tango From Misery Towers by James Aylott
Tales of Whiskey Tango from Misery Towers
By: James Aylott
Publisher: Beautiful Arch
Publication Date: June 14, 2024
ISBN: 979-8987681213
Review Date: December 12, 2023
Tales of Whiskey Tango from Misery Towers by James Aylott delivers a narrative that unravels against the complexity of modern life in the heart of St. Louis – a tale where grit and wit dance with dark humor among the desperate hunt of self-discovery.
The Missouri Towers of St Louis, a dilapidated apartment building ironically offering a soothing view of the St. Louis Arch, becomes the stage for a collision of fates involving a cast of eccentric characters. In the midst of the tumult of a city contending with civil rights concerns and simmering tensions, the experiences and undertakings of the inhabitants of Missouri Towers metaphorically parallel broader endeavors of a city against racial and social inequities.
Mike Love, a striving real estate agent, embraces adventurous and ambitious dreams that collide with the humble visions of his partner, Gloria, a trapeze artist. As they navigate their contrasting aspirations, Madison Stone, a debutante transformed into a carefree spinster, emerges with her whimsical approach to relationships. Can Madison's whimsy inject a fresh perspective into the pair’s contrasting aspirations?
Meanwhile, the quirky agent Nick Pipeman’s attempt to spice up the stagnant real estate market stirs a scandal, prompting his colleague Mike Love to consider a strategic cover-up. In the cutthroat realm of St. Louis, will selfless acts prevail, or is Nick merely a pawn in Mike's pursuit of self-gain? Enters Daris, an established Bosnian immigrant in the real estate industry, contending with strategic moves by rival agents. As the ambitions of these real estate go-getters collide and intertwine, will their destinies become the driving force behind a thrilling ride of ambition and deceit, transforming the city into an arena for unforeseen twists, betrayals, and unexpected alliances...
The plot thickens as the charismatic conman Colton Chesterfield and Reginald Oakland, a former undertaker seeking justice for the losses he suffered at Colton's hands, come into the spotlight. The narrative intensifies when Butterfly, a seasoned strip-club dancer, enters Reginald's scheme, forging an unusual partnership that transcends her profession. Amid the drama, Sam Robinson, disillusioned with modern dating, seeks companionship through paid encounters. Could Sam’s newfound paid contract Alice, and the motive behind her unconventional profession, be the catalyst that shatters the walls of his self-imposed prison – a barrier erected from the disillusionment of failed post-divorce relationships and social expectations of a man?
A blend of the genres of mystery, drama, and satire, Tales of Whiskey Tango from Misery Towers is a mosaic of stories that represent the human search for meaning and self-identity in a world that has commodified even companionships. Aylott uses dark humor deftly to counteract the contemplative topics and tense situations in which the protagonists find themselves. As the hilarious nature of some scenarios counterbalances the graveness of the problems at hand, the narrative balances comedy with gravity to hook readers while also emphasizing the profound nature of the characters' experiences.
The book, with its explicit descriptions of sexual encounters, profane language, and observation about mental health and suicidal conditions caters to mature audiences. The work promises a thought-provoking read for those who encourage the interplay of dark humor with profound and reflective issues.
Quill says: Through a diverse ensemble of outlandish individuals, Tales of Whiskey Tango from Misery Towers delves into the perennial human impulses for vocational aspirations, human connections, and self-discovery.
#BookReview of Son of the Doomsday Prophet by Steven J. Byers
Son of the Doomsday Prophet: A Fantasy Adventure in the Days of Noah
By: Steven J. Byers
Publication Date: October 17, 2023
ISBN: 979-8988545712
Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles
There is nothing I like better than a novel that incorporates history with enough fiction to make it an excellent tale. Son of the Doomsday Prophet is just that kind of a book and I loved every minute of it. By taking the time in history that encompasses Noah and the Great Flood and combining it with just the right amount of fantasy, and then telling the story through the eyes of not Noah but his son, author Steven J. Byers has written a story that will be loved by many.
In Son of the Doomsday Prophet, we follow the life of Jayfeth, who is a son of Noah and, due to his father’s connection with God and knowledge of the end of the world. We first meet Jayfeth as a boy, and then watch as he grows into an adult who is forced into the life of a hero. It is a life that is filled with adventure and danger and definitely a life that Jayfeth did not ask for. As he helps his father with the building of the ark which the family has been ordered by God to create, Jayfeth and the rest of his family find themselves rejected by their relatives and friends and trapped by Ben-Tubal, the leader of Nephilim where they go to plead for help.
While his brothers each find their own paths and loves while helping to build the ark, Jayfeth finds himself faced with only doubts and confusion as he tries to become the hero everyone thinks he should be. The only thing that Jayfeth knows he is good at is talking to, and helping, animals but he does not see that as a way to be a hero. As he continues his work and attempts to understand what his future might hold, he has to deal with many things...the deep hatred of others due to his father’s constant preaching about the end of the world approaching...real and mythical creatures he meets along the way such as a wolf he saves from death who becomes his friend and the fabled group of Behemoths whom he is able to help and in turn receives their help when he needs it the most... as well as his own fight against a dangerous foe in order to have the woman he has come to love. While those who are against Jayfeth and his family become even more dangerous, Jayfeth fights to find his way before that final catastrophic moment when the world ends.
Son of the Doomsday Prophet is a fascinating story about the end of the world from the perspective of one who does not feel worthy of participating and being saved. As a child Jayfeth just wants to fit in with everyone else and be liked. To stand up for his own family and for what is right is something that is not easy for him but something that must be done. I think the author did a fabulous job of telling the story and showing readers how this character grows and changes throughout as he fights for his future and his family.
The plot of the story is very creative and the book is so well-written. The descriptive writing makes the reader feel that they are right there and a part of the history that is happening. Each of the characters in the story, from the main ones to the secondary ones, is perfectly developed and we come to know each and every one of them. They were all very realistic and we were given the chance to see not only their triumphs but the difficulties that they faced throughout their lives leading up to the last moments of the book. In addition, changing the story and showing it through the eyes of Jayfeth rather than his father was an excellent idea and really made the story so much more interesting.
Quill says: Son of the Doomsday Prophet is an excellent combination of history and fantasy brought together in a story that is meant to be enjoyed. It should be read and looked at as the adventure it is meant to be as we watch a hero develop from a confused young boy who does not know what the future holds for him into a man ready to embrace his destiny.
For more information on Son of the Doomsday Prophet: A Fantasy Adventure in the Days of Noah, please visit the author's website at: https://stevenjbyers.com/
#Bookreview of Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
Expiration Dates
By: Rebecca Serle
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 978-1982166823
Review Date: December 11, 2023
New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Serle is back with another fantastical love story that comes with many surprises and gentle reminders about the importance of self-love in Expiration Dates.
Daphne, a Hollywood production assistant in her early 30s, has always relied on notes from the universe to decide where her next romantic adventure will take her and how long it will last. Where the notes come from, she doesn’t know. What she does know is that they are always right. Until, one day, she receives a note without an expiration date. Does this mean forever with the person whose name is on the note?
Only one person knows about Daphne’s “secret relationship” with the universe: Hugo, her brazen best friend, confidante, ex-boyfriend, and one of the many who had once been assigned an expiration date. Hugo knows Daphne better than anyone and understands how much Daphne relies on the notes that have always dictated the direction of her romantic pursuits. So, when she first breaks the news to Hugo about her latest note with the name “Jake” written on it and no expiration date to be found, Hugo accepts that he has no choice but to go along for the ride that will lead to Daphne’s “forever.”
Soon after receiving the "Jake note," Daphne finally meets him out in the world on a coincidental blind date set up by her co-worker. He’s charming, successful, has a complicated history, and is incredibly kind. Ultimately, Daphne is pleased with who sits before her, the man the universe has deemed to be her happy ending. The thing is – Jake has no idea he’s already stepped into the role of being Daphne’s partner for the long haul.
Daphne is ready to dive in and finally commit to “the one,” but unsurprisingly, the universe still has many more surprises for her – and the reader – up its sleeve. Daphne’s road to “finally forever” is met with obstacles she’d always known would get in the way. Now, they’re emerging in a way that is forcing Daphne to look within herself for the love she’s always searched for – the love that’s always been there, no matter how broken her heart has become along the way.
Serle depicts Daphne, her friends, family members, and love interests in a way that makes the reader feel like they’ve met each one, or someone like them, at least a time or two throughout life. She writes in a way that takes the judgement out of being with someone intimately for just twenty-four hours, or falling deeply in love after a week, or not always making the most moral choices in relationships that aren’t as black and white as they seem. Readers won’t have to try too hard to relate to Daphne, even with every characteristic and life experience that makes her journey unique. We all have a bit of Daphne’s courage, hope, and belief in a higher power within us, and Serle makes it easy for the reader to connect to those emotions.
Quill says: Expiration Dates is a warm, feel-good novel that induces snickering laughter, tears, and butterflies in your belly, in all the best ways. With every turn of the page comes a new revelation about what it means to find love within yourself and with someone else.
For more information on Expiration Dates, please visit the author's website at: www.rebeccaserle.com/expiration-dates.
#Bookreview of Ghost: A Novel (Loveletting, Book 3) by Christina Maraziotis
Ghost: A Novel (Loveletting, Book 3)
By: Christina Maraziotis
Publisher: Existential Publishing
Publication Date: October 31, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-959776-09-3
Review Date: December 11, 2023
Also check out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovelettingseries
With the release of the third book in her Loveletting Series (Ghost), Christina Maraziotis delivers yet another all-consuming and incredible journey. There is triumph that scales mountains as much as defeat that succumbs to the formidable valleys with bottomless depths. The reader will consume this author’s enviable ability to tell her tale through the voices of her rich and believable characters with a nuance of desperation to hang onto good in a world of evil.
The story opens with an exchange between Amara and her son Johnny. She is preparing for the hunt and more importantly the chance to avenge the death of someone she loved deeply—a death at the hands of Charlotte Browning... Meanwhile, James Miller hasn’t been human for a long time. He knows his soul no longer exists, yet he takes pause to reminisce. He thinks about his great fortune to have Charlotte in his possession. Hate consumes his existence, "...It splits like a man’s identity within a deranged mind and chooses the nerves it belongs to. And this...is but a piece of flesh that dangles about when I speak, when I eat, and drink. When I walk, when I even rest, it is all there, and yet...it is not mine..." (pg. 2)
Charlotte is shackled to a bed in a hopeless den of evil. She cowers each time she hears James’ footsteps approach, yet she is helpless to escape. She mourns the death of Mac Kinnon; the only man she is convinced she could ever love; yet she wrestles with her thoughts because she refuses to accept that he truly is dead. Is he? In a passing moment of clarity, she wonders if Marshal Patrick Tilghman will rescue her. He left her in Mayhaw—his parting assurances that she would be safe, but no one is safe as long as James Miller is still alive. Does Patrick know James has her? Many will join forces with the Marshall to capture the elusive James Miller. Brothers Sven and Viggo understand the darkness that surrounds Miller. They enlighten Tilghman over the fact he is not dealing with something human. Rather, they are embarking upon a journey to eradicate evil; knowing all too well that Miller is a subhuman creature full of dark forces and evil. They will travel through many towns—Mon Luis, Mayhaw, Nephilim Cove and many more in their quest. There will be blood and death; good facing an evil beyond their wildest imaginations...and the end journey will place them face-to-face with a reckoning that points to survival on one hand and destruction on the other.
To say I was elated to have the privilege to review another book in this exceptional series is an understatement. In the beginning pages of Ghost, the third book in the Loveletting series, Christina Maraziotis wastes no time in re-introducing her cache of characters we have become all too familiar with. Maraziotis delights in familiarizing us with nuances that are signature to each character—Mac Kinnon with his larger than life presence that requires nothing more than an occasional ‘Hmm’ to get his point across; Jesse McCoy with his mannerisms of being a young man outlaw working hard to come into his own. Charlotte Browning; never to be viewed as the damsel in distress, but the reader is reminded often of her soft side when she laments of her undying love for and devotion to the one man she fears she can never have. The phenomenal layers of color Maraziotis paints with artfully placed words and scenes effortlessly grasps the reader’s attention throughout this magnificent story. Ms. Maraziotis knows exactly what she is doing with the release of each book in this captivating saga of epic proportions. The intentional descriptions of towns in a time decades gone by teleport the reader to the moment: "...Nephilim Cove, a town barely visible through the widespread smog and mist, but it stood there in menacing apparition. In the polluting air, and suffocating clouds that clogged the skies in a gloomy gray. A town filled with dismantled wooden cabins, adorned with patched up rooftops and plank-covered windows, clad in glass shards that were scattered about, for every single night there was at least one set of bullets piercing through them..." (pg. 52) With over 700 pages of sheer brilliance peppered across each page, it’s difficult to site one passage over the other to properly capture the essence of Ms. Maraziotis’ true talents. She is by far one of the most masterful writers I have ever had the pleasure to review and simply put, I cannot wait to dive into the next in this series. Well done once again!
Quill says: Ghost will leave its audience with the weight of regret as the pages dwindle in number because another epic read is coming to an end. However, hope will prevail with the prospect that the next book is looming somewhere on the horizon.
For more information on Ghost: A Novel (Loveletting, Book 2), please visit the author's website at: www.christinamaraziotis.com/
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