July Book Reviews #bookreview #books #amreading #readingcommunity #paranormal #HarborPointeInnseries #shortstories @JanSikes3 @stacitroilo @linneatanner @JoanHallWrites @Pat_Garcia @KarensStories @harmony_kent @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I came back from my summer trip to Italy and Greece at the end of June. I thought I'd have more time to read on the cruise, but every day was packed with activities. Still, I managed to read two short stories and start a novel. July has been full of appointments, beach time, revising, spending time with family, and reading (of course!). I published my short story, Karma Doesn't Kill, at the beginning of the month and would love for you to read it and share your thoughts with me. Now, let's get to my reviews for this month!

The Edge of Too Late (Harbor Pointe Series Book 5)

by Jan Sikes

Genre: Action & Adventure Romance, Contemporary Short Stories

Pages:108 pages

Book Blurb:

The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California's cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it's been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn's secrets.

What's the point of having it all when you have no one to share it with?

Brandon Miller has his dream job, financial security, and he's madly in love. Only one thing is missing—a commitment.

Angela Cooper's ex-husband left her with deep scars, souring her on the concept of marriage. She's not interested in a do-over. Not with Brandon or anyone. Her heart is locked securely away behind a thick wall.

With a ring in his pocket and hope in his heart, Brandon arranges a romantic getaway to the historic Harbor Pointe Inn, where he plans to pop the question.

Before they reach the inn, Angela's got her camera in hand and ghosts on her mind. But they arrive to find a much more tangible horror.

Accident or foul play?

Someone is up to no good, and Angela is the next target. When suspects can be worldly or otherworldly, danger and secrets lurk everywhere.

Poised at the perilous edge of too late, Angela and Brandon face the fight of their lives.

My Review:

This was another great story in the Harbor Pointe series. Brandon is desperate to marry the love of his life, Angi, but she is full of reservations after her previous boyfriend treated her horribly. Brandon plans a romantic getaway to Harbor Pointe with the intent of proposing, but things don’t go as planned, and Angi becomes the target of an evil man.

I love how this author connected the various books together as Brandon and Angi explored the area. I also love that it continued the paranormal theme. I felt so bad for Brandon that his plans kept going awry. I loved the relationship between the two of them and am happy with how the story turned out.

A Fathomless Affair (Harbor Pointe Series Book 6)

by Staci Troilo

Genre: Mystery Romance, Contemporary Short Stories

Pages: 115 pages

Book Blurb:

The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California's cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it's been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn's secrets.

A narcissistic patriarch. A mystical legend. A fathomless affair.

Most people wouldn’t dread a weekend at the historic Harbor Pointe Inn. Lorelei Audley isn’t most people. The fresh sea air, breathtaking vistas, and gourmet meals can’t buoy her spirits. She’s there to coordinate her father’s latest wedding. The bride is a nightmare, yet somehow, the groom is worse. Lorelei steels herself to suffer through a few days of psychological abuse and abject misery.

She’s unprepared for a paranormal encounter, missing persons case, and police investigation.

Not to mention a budding romance.

A lot can happen in a short time, far more if the supernatural is involved. Lorelei has a small window in which to solve some very big problems—problems as numerous as the sands at the foot of the scenic Harbor Pointe cliffs.

My Review:

Book six of the Harbor Pointe series focuses on Lorelei going to the inn to plan a wedding for her dad and bride number three. She isn’t at all happy about it, especially since she feels as if her father is getting conned. From the moment she arrives, one thing after another goes wrong.

The author does a great job of drawing you into all of Lorelei’s drama. I really felt bad for her. I loved how the author brought in the inn’s folklore and mentioned events from the other books. She did a convincing job of adding a fantastic twist at the end. I would have loved to keep reading more on what happened next, but as a short story, it is complete as is it told.

This was another great addition to the series, and I can’t wait to read the next one!

Skull's Vengeance (Curse of Clansmen and Kings, Book 4)

by Linnea Tanner

Genre: Greco-Roman Myth & Legend Fantasy

Pages: 402 pages

Book Blurb:

A Celtic warrior queen must do the impossible—defeat her sorcerer half-brother and claim the throne. But to do so, she must learn how to strike vengeance from her father’s skull.

AS FORETOLD BY HER FATHER in a vision, Catrin has become a battle-hardened warrior after her trials in the Roman legion and gladiatorial games. She must return to Britannia and pull the cursed dagger out of the serpent’s stone to fulfill her destiny. Only then can she unleash the vengeance from the ancient druids to destroy her evil half-brother, the powerful sorcerer, King Marrock. Always two steps ahead and seemingly unstoppable, Marrock can summon destructive natural forces to crush any rival trying to stop him and has charged his deadliest assassin to bring back Catrin’s head.

To have the slightest chance of beating Marrock, Catrin must forge alliances with former enemies, but she needs someone she can trust. Her only option is to seek military aid from Marcellus—her secret Roman husband. They rekindle their burning passion, but he is playing a deadly game in the political firestorm of the Julio-Claudian dynasty to support Catrin’s cause.

Ultimately, in order to defeat Marrock, Catrin must align herself with a dark druidess and learn how to summon forces from skulls to exact vengeance. But can she and Marcellus outmaneuver political enemies from Rome and Britannia in their quest to vanquish Marrock?

My Review:

I was eager to get back into this world to see what had become of Catrin and Marcellus, and I wasn't disappointed. These books put Shakespearean tragedy to shame! The fates are constantly working again these two lovers. No matter what they do, something always finds a way to pull them apart.

In this book, Catrin has to join forces with people who have betrayed her in one way or another in order to reach her destiny. And even though her visions show that this is the path she must take, she still feels as if it's a mistake. Marcellus is doing everything in his power to play the political game to secretly help Catrin, but he is really bad at it. Lol! His brother, on the other hand, is a master and is holding Marcellus's fate in his hands.

The author does a magnificent job weaving the threads of these lives, masterfully bringing their paths to clash in such a way that leaves everyone in danger. I mourned the loss of one of the characters in battle (no spoilers), but war is ugly. This book had a bit less magic because of Catrin's circumstances, but it was still amazing! I can't wait for the author to come out with book 5 so I can dive back into this world.

A Death at the Inn (Harbor Pointe Series Book 7)

by Joan Hall

Genre: Suspense Thrillers

Pages: 104 pages

Book Blurb:

The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.

Suicide, accident, or murder?

After an argument with her fiancé, up-and-coming actress Leah Myers booked a room at the Harbor Pointe Inn. Near the end of her stay, someone found her body at the bottom of the nearby cliff. The police ruled her death a suicide.

Five years later, four people from Leah’s past visit the inn on the anniversary of her death. Her fiancé, her brother, her psychologist, and her close friend, Adele, who was a guest at Harbor Pointe the night Leah died.

Deputy Brad Sherman, assistant to the lead detective, has always believed something was amiss with the investigation. When he learns Leah’s former acquaintances are staying at the inn, he decides to look at the old case file.

The four guests soon learn each other’s identity and begin to discuss the events leading up to Leah’s demise. But someone doesn’t want them to know the truth. When Adele confesses she is haunted by the possibility she saw something important that fateful night, it puts her in grave danger.

Now it’s a race against time before she becomes the killer’s next victim.

My Review:

This is a great addition to the Harbor Pointe Series. I loved how some of the characters were the same from one of the previous books. Although this story was truly a suspenseful mystery, there was a little bit of paranormal through a spirit animal (and I loved it!). This story follows five people, all affected differently from the death of Leah five years prior. Her therapist, her good friend, her brother, her boyfriend at the time, and the assistant detective all find their way to the inn on the fifth anniversary of her death to try to come to terms with her death. Instead, they realized her death was not a suicide at all!

This story kept me flipping pages as the author planted one more seed in the mystery. Each character was well-developed, and their interaction with one another felt genuine. I loved how the story was told from all of their perspectives, which helped me start piecing the mystery together. Each of them grieved for Leah's loss differently, but they were all looking for closure. The author did a fabulous job in weaving their stories together while sharing Leah's last days with us.

The ending was perfect, and I love how everyone found closure. This is a fantastic mystery that will keep you engaged to the very last page.

The Power of Touch: A Story of Redeeming Love

by Pat Garcia

Genre: Later in Life Romance, Short Story

Pages: 29 pages

Book Blurb:

Stationed within an International Explosive Ordinance Team (EOD) in Germany for six years, Gianluca Abate has never anticipated that unexpected incidences could throw his life off balance. He didn't think there was a situation that could touch him so closely until the day he experienced an explosive blast underwater. His life spirals downward, and he loses all hope of ever being normal again.

At a train station, he is waiting for a train to come to end it all and is so involved in what he is about to carry out that he doesn't see the woman running toward him who is about to change the trajectory of his destiny, forever.

My Review:

This author has a wonderful way of choosing broken people and redeeming them through love. I really enjoyed this short story. Gianluca lost his hearing and suffers from PTSD from a job-related explosion. After losing his job, his friends, and his fiancé, he doesn't see a point in living and plans his suicide. Fortunately, Aniyah thwarts his plans and shows him that life is worth living and that love can be found again.

The author does a beautiful job of pulling you into Gianluca's pain as the story opens. My heart broke for him, and I was glued to every word. Aniyah's life story was beautiful and spoke of the power of resilience and mindset. As someone who has taught students with hearing impairments, I loved how ASL and finding appreciation for music through other means was a huge part of this story. I would definitely recommend you read it!

Bopama: A Short Story

by Karen Black

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy Fiction, Short Story

Pages: 34 pages

Book Blurb:

After centuries of feuding over the use of mysticism for good vs evil, two families, both powerful practitioners of the mystical religion of bopama, agree to a truce. Finally, the Latraviattas and Travaglias peacefully co-exist.

Decades later, Colette Latraviatta exhibits capabilities that far exceed those expected from a seven-year-old child. As her abilities become widely known, she follows her grandmother's footsteps and uses her power to help others. But when Axel Travaglia realizes the child's ability will soon surpass his, he sees her as a threat and will stop at nothing to keep her from reaching her pinnacle of power.

My Review:

This short story focused on a family feud between the Latraviattas and Travaglias, where one family wanted to use mysticism for good and the other for evil. Over multiple generations, the families took turns casting spells on one another in an attempt to control all the power. Each generation became more and more powerful until the current generation had the ability to kill and absorb all the power. It became a race to see which side, good or evil, would cast the first spell and what that spell would entail.

This was a nice read. It was a lot to pack into a short story, but the author did a good job of doing so. I honestly would have loved to read a longer novel that delved into each generation's struggles. Colette's world is turned upside down when she loses her mother and then grandmother. Then, she realizes that her life is in danger because Axel is trying to kill her. With the help of a few enchanted animals, she must find a way to thwart Axel's plans and still keep her humanity.

This author always includes animals and some kind of paranormal in all her stories, and I love that. Her characters were well-developed, and the story kept me engaged. It's a quick, enjoyable read that I know others will enjoy.

The Room at the End (Harbor Pointe Series Book 8)

by Harmony Kent

Genre: Ghost Suspense, Ghost Thrillers

Pages: 95 pages

Book Blurb:

The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.

When guilt-ridden Mia checks in to a suicide hotel, but can’t go through with the final act, vengeful ghosts gather to torment her.

Set in the near future, the post-war world is in turmoil.

Mia Hawthorne suffers an emotional breakdown, following the death of her wife, and loses everything to a corrupt government.

In an ironic twist of fate, the government suicide department, The Last Sanctuary, allocates a desperate and destitute Mia to the very hotel and family heirloom which she has so recently lost.

On her first day at the Lighthouse Inn, beset with painful memories, doubts, and questions, Mia finds herself coming face to face with angry ghosts, who gather to goad and torment her.

Lost and alone, can Mia find enough strength and purpose to avoid her final, frightful fate?

Possible Trigger Warnings:

This novella contains many references to suicide and suicidal thoughts. It also references off-page bereavement and off-page female to female marriage.

Some references to violence are mentioned, but remain vague and mostly off-page.

No profanity is used.

If any of these are likely to trigger you, please use your discretion when purchasing/reading this book.

My Review:

I'm so sad that this series has ended. Each and every book was fantastic, including this one. This book takes place in the near future (2072) but brings back characters from the past. The future is quite bleak with a corrupt government using AI to control the masses. The future's government has a suicide department that allows people to choose when and how to die. Mia, the past owner of Harbor Pointe, has chosen to die at the very hotel she once owned (before the government took it away from her).

Unfortunately for Mia, there's a ghost who wants her death more than she does. New information about her wife's suicide gives Mia new purpose. In order to choose her fate, she has to confront the angry ghost, and he definitely wants her dead.

This story begins heavy because the reader grieves with Mia for her loss. The inclusion of a cute, little collie breaks up the stressful moments. The author does a great job of capturing the conflicting thoughts and emotions of Mia. I loved how Mia was not alone even when she thought she was. And I especially loved when Mia started fighting back!

This was such a great ending to an incredible series. If you have not read any of the books, I highly encourage you to read them all. You won't regret it!

Have you read any great stories lately? I'd love to hear from you.

#TankaTuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic #Poetry Challenge - #Syllabic #poem #poetrycommunity #seasonalKigo #Kigo #seasons #Taisho #summerdays @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! This week, we move into the Taisho season over at #TankaTuesday's 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge. It's all about the sweltering heat, and those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are really feeling it, especially here in South Florida. Thank goodness for air conditioning!

It's been a busy week for me, and my summer vacation is quickly coming to an end, so for this week's challenge, I chose to write a haiku. My kigo words are bolded and italicized.

(courtesy of @PublicDomainPictures on Pixabay)

blazing sun at beach

eager to create sunburns

umbrellas thwart plan

Those of you who follow me know that I go to the beach almost every weekend. I rarely burn, but I always bathe myself in reef-safe sunblock. I also always sit under an umbrella. I get plenty of sun when I go swimming or when I walk the beach, but I know the importance of protecting my skin from the harmful rays. I see so many tourists leaving the beach looking like lobsters because they don't understand the intensity of the sun this close to the equator. It's so important to wear sunblock and reapply often.

Would you like to write a poem for this week? Join us here.

#TankaTuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic #Poetry Challenge - #Syllabic #poem #poetrycommunity #seasonalKigo #Kigo #seasons #Shosho #AmericanCinquain #seox #dodoitsu #summerdays @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! For this week's #Tanka Tuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, Colleen Chesebro provided us with three phrases and encouraged us to create different poems using the phrases. The phrases are:

smoldering heat

midsummer darkness

cutting the grass

I decided to challenge myself a bit this week and tried out a couple of new poetry forms. For the first phrase, I used the American Cinquain, which I've done before. It is a poem of five lines with a syllabic pattern of 2-4-6-8-2. The first four lines should build drama, and the fifth line changes the focus.

For the second poem, I attempted a seox, which has six lines (a hexastich) with a 3-7-6-5-4-3 syllabic pattern. And for the last poem, I tried writing a dodoitsu, which has a syllabic pattern of 7-7-7-5. It usually focuses on love, humor, or the unexpected but can also focus on nature and beauty. Hopefully, I did right by these forms. As always, I've bolded and italicized the kigo words.

(courtesy of @aghostmaycome on Pixabay)

summer

smoldering heat

sizzling sidewalks burn feet

humidity suffocates me

ah, pool!

(courtesy of @Schaferle2 on Pixabay)

sunny day

midsummer darkness rolls in

lightning bursts streak through sky

thunder makes music

rain adds drum beats

stunning show

(courtesy of @Alexas_Fotos on Pixabay)

someone else cutting the grass

blades stick to their sweaty skin

while I relish the a/c

the joys of summer

Would you like to create a poem with one (or all) of these phrases? Join us here.

#TankaTuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic #Poetry Challenge - #Syllabic #poem #poetrycommunity #seasonalKigo #Kigo #seasons #Shosho #haiku #summerdays @YvetteMCalleiro

 

Hello, beautiful readers! I'm back from my summer travels. I had an amazing trip to Italy, Malta, and Greece with my son. It was sweltering hot, not unlike my beautiful South Florida. We walked over 175,000 steps, which helped me from gaining weight from the delicious food I ate. I took several hundred photos and won't bore you with all of them, but I thought I'd share a few for those who have never been able to go to these places.

Florence, Italy

The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy)

Pompeii (Naples, Italy)

The Amalfi Coast

Municipal Gardens in Taormina

Mdina (Malta)

Katakolon (Olympia), Greece

Piraeus (Athens), Greece

View from my cruise balcony

Thira (Santorini), Greece

Vatican, Rome, Italy

Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy

I've been a bit busy since I returned with visiting my son's college and releasing my new short story, Karma Doesn't Kill. And I've missed a few Tanka Tuesday challenges, but I finally found some time to participate this week. For this week's #TankaTuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, Colleen Chesebro has invited us to write a poem using the kigo words for Shosho - The Beginning of Midsummer: Growing Heat.

I've decided to write a haiku that encapsulates our South Florida summers. It is HOT. Even our ocean waters are in the high 80s, which is typically the temperature we see in late August. It's a little worrisome for us because hot waters lead to stronger hurricanes. We are praying the hurricanes stay out at sea this year. We get a lot of rainstorms, which cool the temps a bit, but they also bring nasty humidity. If I'm not at the beach, I do my best to stay indoors. Anyway, here is my poem. My kigo phrase is bolded and highlighted.

(courtesy of @GB_photo on Pixabay)

summer thunderstorms

never-ending nourishment

nature soothes itself

Would you like to write a poem with us this week? Join us here.

NEW BOOK ALERT! Introducing Karma Doesn't Kill #newbook #newrelease #shortstory #cautionarytale #RRBC #RWISA #BOTM @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I am excited to share with you a short story I just released for the RRBC 2024 90-Day Alpha/Omega Short Story Writing Contest. It's called Karma Doesn't Kill, and you can find it on Amazon. I hope you enjoy it!

Genre: Short Story

Pages: 39 pages

Book Blurb:

JT pulled the short end of the stick when he was given his life's journey. With a convicted felon as a dad and a drunk as a mom, there weren't many positive influences in his life. When his mom's boyfriend began sharing his marijuana with JT, his father fought for custody and won.

Life on his dad's farm was simpler. JT started turning his life around until one tragic event sent him spiraling again. All choices have consequences. For JT, those choices left him staring down the barrel of a gun. Could JT rise above his circumstances, or would karma have its way with him?

If you'd like to read it, you can purchase it here.

I look forward to reading your reviews. Happy reading! :-)