 The main character of this novel is Jackie, a young attractive woman. She is married but has her husband’s approval to pursue her inclination for being with women as long as he remains the only man in her life. After a car accident, Jackie suffers a concussion that causes her something impossible to understand and accept, at first. Her world is turned upside down and only when she tries finding out more about what had happened she is starting to understand. Initially, Jackie’s reaction is normal as everything is strange and hard to accept. In a course of events and with the help of her friends she makes slow steps forward. A new woman starts being part of her life that plays the role of a lover and offers her a tremendous support. Looking at the name of the book it was normal to expect an awakening.
Even though this book has a paranormal element I loved that the author created real-life characters and happenings. Jackie was a heavy drinker and she didn't acknowledge her problem, despite her husband’s comments and certain events. Her husband was not perfect either, he had his alcohol and gambling issues and didn’t seem to be the best partner. Jackie hasn’t been in the past very close to her family but during her transformation, she managed to solve this issue. With her sister’s big help she started her alcohol-free period. I didn't have to resonate fully with the main character to let myself withdrawn in the story and I loved it. I followed carefully her journey and I found myself inspired by the way she was developing her spiritual side. The more she evolved in that area the more she was making the other parts of her life right. I enjoyed everything related to spirituality, Reiki, meditation, grounding exercises that inspired me to dig further in this area. I liked the ending too, which answered some questions and left me feeling eager to know what is going to be next. I loved the Lawler’s writing style. I felt it sincere and very comforting and I am looking forward to reading other works by this author. Type of reader: Although this novel falls under lesbian paranormal fiction I recommend it to a wider audience with love for a strong female lead facing personal transformation. My favorite quotes from this book: “As she lay there, she thought about her day. It had been a very spiritual experience. There were times that she’d felt at one with the trees, and she understood their language.” “Let go and open up and allow the good things to manifest.” “If you want change, then you need to be that change.” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon Author’s website
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 I fell in-love with Kamand’s poetry more than a year ago and I was thrilled when this collection was published. It stands on my night table ever since and every once in a while I pick it up and I choose randomly a poem. Then I find myself turning the pages as words dance in front of my eyes and my heart feels the music. I see this collection of poetry as an eternal love dance. The dance of words. Some are about deep passionate reciprocated love, others about the inevitable pain when the love for someone it remains sadly one-sided. It is a declaration of love from the author to its muse presented in different section: love, attraction and infatuation, enchantment, heartbreak, devotion and obsession, understanding and unity. It is an emotional journey in the world of words. The message of each poem is deep yet easy to understand. To conclude, I would describe the whole collection as eternal beauty.
Type of reader: Lover of poetry and love in general. For those that admire how the words flow on the paper and take their time and reflect upon the infinite messages those words captured within. It is impossible to pick a favorite poem from this collection but here is one of the many: “Knowing you, I became mindless. Having wasted previous wishes, I’m riddled with regrets. Feeling you, I became hopeless. Adrift in chasms, I surrender to a caress. Loving you, I became love. My universe became love. Planets rotate on love’s axes and apples fall to be near their beloveds. No longer a rationalist, I assert my existence with love. I love, therefore I exist, therefore I love.” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon Author’s website  I have read this book so many times already and the more I read it the more I love it. Each time it surprises me with its never-losing charm. It tells the story of a little boy who leaves the safety of his own tiny planet where he has a fragile rose to take care of. He travels the universe and finds, learns and sees things of adult behavior through a series of interesting encounters. No matter of age, it makes the reader reflect upon many things. It is also sweet seeing the point of view of a little boy with such a pure heart.
I love the simplicity and yet the complexity that it creates in one's mind. I believe we would all be a bit happier if we would remember, at least from time to time. We should never forget how was it when we were kids before our opinions were inevitably influenced by the norms of the society. Type of reader: I think this novella is suitable for everyone, children, teenagers, adults. I recommend it to be read many times in life. My favorite quotes from this book: “All grown-ups were once children... but only few of them remember it.” “It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.” “Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  This story is filled with suspense, gorgeous main characters, and unexpected surprises. Two young people, Sky and Liam, fall in love after they both had their share of tragic past and dysfunctional families, trying to bring back the pieces with each other’s help. When it seems that they will finally have a better tomorrow, due to tragic events, they are separated, against their will. Ten years later, after had suffered a memory loss, Sky returns to her uncle’s house, where she lived before the accident, only to find out what her conscious mind forgot. The subconscious was giving her the right signals. The things seemed to be in order but life never stops playing tricks. This is another amazing love story by this author (read more here), actually her debut novel, with quite a few moments of suspense and unexpected twists. The reader can only feel warmhearted witnessing a true love story. Type of reader: Lovers of the sweet romance genre, that are ready for a lot of emotions, living and breathing with the main character, feeling her sorrow, cheering up during her good moments, for living the life she deserved.
My favorite quotes from this book: “We are the same. Two broken halves of a whole, trying to mend with each other. To heal each other with love.” “He understands. I lift my head and capture his lips once again, this time wanting to remember this moment. This, here now, is what I always dreamed I would find in someone else. He is my forever.” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  This was such a delightful story with many interesting emotional layers and brilliant writing. It is about Asher, an almost 40-year-old teacher and his student, Angelika, an 18-year-old, beautiful, smart, from Germany. She is gorgeous and he finds her attractive. She is the one to make a first step, first kiss and first talking about her feelings towards him. He is aware though that the relationship between a teacher and a student isn't allowed. And that he is much older than her. She doesn’t see this obstacle, as her heart wants him. Should the main characters take into consideration the age difference as an impediment or they should rather look at it only to understand where the generational differences are coming from? They were born in different decades, therefore their attitude, prejudices and overall concept of love and sexual relationship are different. It was because of love that they had to find ways to deal with the barriers because love doesn't judge. Love listens, understands and accepts. Type of reader: Lovers of the contemporary romance genre searching for well-written novels and who could maybe fancy an age-difference relationship. I truly recommend.
My favorite quotes from this book: “Despite her delightful nakedness, she seemed the very picture of practicality, he thought, which actually added to her charm—a certain je ne sais quoi…” ““Look at me, Angelika.” he said. “What do you see?” She did. “I see my one and only love,” she said, simply.” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  I have mixed emotions about this book. I was totally into reading it not because of the title but because of its selling success. It seemed great at first, down to earth with a message of looking at ourselves from a different perspective, but truthfully, for me, the best chapters were the last three. It does offer an interesting view of how to conduct your life based on what is really important to you, what you really care about. I did notice, of course, all the F-words, but I managed to get some good advice too and I enjoyed a lot all the little stories from author’s life or other people’s, famous or not. Lots of things mentioned in the book are logical and make immense sense, and then others are either intriguing or in total disagreement with me. The mixed feelings that I have are most probably due to certain different beliefs and also from different life experiences. As the author said when we look back at some things that we said or believed in the past we can see now that we were wrong, that our perception has changed, the same as he admits that he may think in the future about some things he wrote in this book. I do encourage freedom of speech, so I do admire him for being so straightforward and I am sure he doesn't expect everyone to agree with him. I bet he is actually having fun looking at the “boom” he created with his book.
Reader type: Readers of self-help books with a taste for a different approach. It is definitely not the classical type. It may work for you very well, first if you want to change and second if you don't get offended easily. Due to the language, I would suggest for 18+ readers. Some of the quotes that intrigued me: "The desire for more positive experience is itself a negative experience. And, paradoxically, the acceptance of one's negative experience is itself a positive experience." "Not giving a f*ck does not mean being indifferent; it means being comfortable with being different." My rating: 3/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  I really liked this sweet romantic story with kindhearted main characters. Kale, soon-to-turn 18, is a smart and beautiful girl who was, unfortunately, abandoned by her mother at birth and raised by her father that physically abused her the entire life. The only bright spot that gave her hope in her life was Wyatt, her best friend from childhood. Unfortunately, he had to move on with his family 6 years back, leaving Kale alone. While they kept contact through letters she was sure she won’t see him again. Yet, the reality was brighter, Wyatt returned and they both expressed their deep love. It was so lovely to see Kale how she finally enjoys her life, all the things that may be normal to many of us, for her were just about to be experienced. She was finally ready to leave her sad past behind and enjoy life at the fullest and let her dreams be fulfilled little by little, only with the help of Wyatt, starting with the embarking on a country road trip. It is heart-touching to read about such a pure and great love that they shared. As nothing goes always right, some shades appeared, luckily with a happy ending.
Type of reader: Lovers of the sweet romance genre, that are prepared to embark on a carousel of emotions, living and breathing with the main character, feeling her sorrow and crossing fingers for a better tomorrow. My favorite quotes from this book: “Everyone experiences ups and downs, but the trick to it is learning to get back up. Learning that there will be a bright spot in all that darkness.” “I knew I couldn’t love anyone else, because I didn’t have any more love to share. It was all for him.” “How could I not think the worst when from birth all I knew was pain and sadness? How could happiness like this be real?” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  It all started with a mistake. Would it ever start if it wasn’t for that special happening? Is the attraction between Jenny (the student) and Jared (the teacher) accentuated by the fact that their relationship is a forbidden one? Most of us fancy some teacher briefly during our school years, but how many made the step into having a relationship with one? It is commonly known that this kind of relationship is not permitted and the author makes it clear in the introduction to her story. Still, as a reader, I went beyond the forbidden issue and I enjoyed so much this sweet story of lust and youthful desires, with elegantly described steamy scenes. Does having a secret relationship offers you a short-term satisfaction only behind closed doors? Can a ‘no strings attached’ relationship transform into love? Even if started from a mistake, can this lead to a happy ending? I don't want to reveal anything anymore, I just want you to enjoy every little detail on your own. The author did, by no doubt, wrote a great story, every word was in its place, nothing missing and nothing unnecessary, surely no mistakes about it. I really loved this brilliant heartwarming story.
Type of reader: I couldn't put down this fantastic gripping book and read it in one sitting. I recommend it to any fan of romantic genre, with or without the steamy details. Age 18+. My favorite quotes from this book: “Pulling on her oldest, softest pajamas, she crawled into bed, wanting and not wanting to see him ever again. Hoping for and dreading school in the morning, it took her a very long time to get to sleep. Her last thought as she dropped off was, I hope he’s worrying this much about school tomorrow too.” “The two conflicting wants were pulling her in two, one part excited to go and one part wished to stay. Not for the first time, she wished she could just tell Sandra everything. She always had, and it felt wrong to hide something this important from her.” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  We live in a fast world full of obligations and not enough time for ourselves. Either having some trauma from the past or new situations that we face, at one moment we may end up suffering from depression that may lead to anxiety. If we don’t become aware that we need to do something about it, the situation will only get worse. What I liked most about this self-help guide is its simplicity. First, we are presented with the possible symptoms and then with simple steps that could help cure ourselves or make us more qualified to offer our help to someone dear to us. There are many messages in the book that I liked and I agree with, therefore I congratulate the author for being able to create a concise guide that hopefully will help many people.
Type of reader: If you suffer from depression and/or anxiety or have a family member or a friend that suffers and you wish to help, I recommend you give this self-help guide a try. It’s short but concise, and if applied it can make the changes you are looking for. My favorite quotes from this book: “... if you do not take timely action to overcome anxiety and depression, your symptoms could exacerbate to a point where they take complete control of your life.” “It is a great way to rewire your mind to think positively, align your focus on a goal, and create positive thoughts that attract positive experiences your way. ” “You are now aware that the answer to all your problems are within you. ” My rating: 4/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  This was a fast and interesting read. The author has an easy and very understandable way of putting words together. Everything starts in 1988 when Hannah’s sister Hailey was wounded and disappeared one night in the woods in the vicinity of an abandoned cemetery. Rumors were saying that some Satanic cult has taken her away and the media have reported amply on the subject. Hannah was only 16 then and she struggled how to cope with the events. Years went by but she couldn't live even for one day wondering what happened to her sister. Twenty years later, without any news about Hailey, Hannah receives some strange phone calls, messages, and witnesses other little things that make her think that she is being stalked and what’s worse that she is next. She couldn't go to the police at first as she was sure they wouldn't believe her, even, later on, she wasn't believed as she didn't have proof. By now she was seeing a therapist and actually, this is the way how we get to know everything, from the sessions that Hannah has had. Happenings made it that another person died and it seemed similar to her sister’s disappearance, but now Hannah is the major suspect. I will not reveal the ending, but I can only tell you that it surprised me. Either is a result of post-traumatic stress disorder or the crazy reality, I let you discover for yourself.
Type of reader: Occult/mystery/Thriller readers and all the others that love a book that keeps your attention wondering what will follow next and also trying to figure out what stands behind everything. My favorite quotes from this book: “I think my sister is out there, alive, somewhere, but I don’t know where to look. When I walk to work, I look behind every bush, peer around every corner, and look into the face of every stranger I pass on the street, wondering if it’s Hailey.” “I wanted her gone. I wanted to be the special one. The one always in demand. I wanted to look down at others the way Hailey looked down at me. Please don’t judge me. It was a moment of desperation.” My rating: 4/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon |
Nico J. GenesIn order to be a good writer, one has to read a lot. And I do and I love it....and I chose to share my readings with you. Feel free to share with me any of the books you have read or wrote, if I find them interesting I will add them to my list. I'll post my reviews on Goodreads, Amazon and all my social accounts. Categories
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