Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update #Reviews – Teagan Riordain Geneviene, Balroop Singh, Bette A. Stevens and Julia Benally

Early reviews are in for Teagan Riordain Geneviene’s and her latest release, A Ghost in the Kitchen – Three Ingredients book 2

About the book

A Ghost in the Kitchen, Three Ingredients-2 continues the flapper adventures of Paisley Idelle Peabody, aka Pip. It’s a 1920s “pantser” story and a culinary mystery. This time Pip’s pal Andy (from The Three Things Serial Story) returns. Granny Phanny is there too. She’s still trying to teach Pip to cook. Granny is in a lather because of the supernatural goings-on in her kitchen. There’s also one pos-i-lutely potent poltergeist! New adventures abound as Pip and Andy unravel an old mystery. It’s all spontaneously driven by “ingredients” sent by readers of the blog, Teagan’s Books. Jump into the jalopy and enjoy the ride. There’s no telling where we’ll go, but it will be the cat’s pajamas!

One of the early reviews for the book

Chris Graham 5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible writing, enjoyable read. 24 September 2019

I never cease to be amazed by this author’s ability to create stories from suggested ingredients supplied by her blog readers and fans, as she has also done for the other books in this Roaring Twenties series.

Each chapter states the three ingredients to be used within it (and highlights them in bold when they are mentioned).

Considering that each chapter not only includes these ingredients, but must follow the book storyline, the sheer talent and skill involved is impressive.
I thoroughly enjoyed this latest Pip tale.

Head over and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Kitchen-Three-Ingredients-II-ebook/dp/B07Y2KN1NM

and on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Kitchen-Three-Ingredients-II-ebook/dp/B07Y2KN1NM/

Also by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Read the reviews, buy the books : https://www.amazon.com/Teagan-Riordain-Geneviene/e/B00HHDXHVM

and Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Teagan-Riordain-Geneviene/e/B00HHDXHVM

Read more reviews and follow Teagan on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13707141.Teagan_Geneviene

Connect to Teagan via her blog:  https://teagansbooks.com/

The next review today is for Balroop Singh and her recently released poetry collection Moments We Love

About the collection

Moments of fragrant love that stand frozen in time, of dreams that dare not unfold, of passion that fleets by, of erratic joy that we meet at the crossroads of life, butterflies of time that add color to our dark moments to scare the demons away – I have gathered all of them in this book. Some of them whisper softly to create a magical aura while spring of life sings with them, trying to wipe silent tears. Mother Nature steps in with all her grandeur to breath quiet messages of tranquility.

Each poem would soothe your emotions with élan and add a dash of color to your life. Life – that doesn’t halt for your sad moments; that just floats by. You just need to dive in to soak in myriads of moments to discover how it could ignite positive tones. All the poems in this collection are imaginary but inspired from people around me, some of whom chose to share their frustrations and tremors with me. Sometimes I could read between the lines to pen my thoughts down.

Memories and moments merge here
Today when I return to share
The glow of rainbows
Embers of emotional entreaties
And smoldering debris.

One of the recent reviews for the collection

J.G. MacLeod 5.0 out of 5 stars Rich Poetry Collection Delights October 4, 2019

I loved Balroop Singh’s poetry collection, Moments We Love. The author’s writing covers a range of themes, from hope, to melancholy, beauty, change, and the power of nature. Metonymy is used throughout with an array of symbols reflecting a deeper commentary on this world we inhabit. I am a lover of nature in all its splendour and decay, and was therefore moved by the references to birds, animals, and natural cycles of earth.

One of my favourite poems in the collection is “My Mother”. With powerful lines such as “who could digest rudeness” and “who could rise from the abyss of grief” made me connect with this poet as I too have such a mother, and strive to be such an example of strength and nurturing myself. Regular rhetorical questions left me questioning and turning inward – a perfect technique to make a reader attach personal meaning to the poetry. 5 stars for crafting words that show how well the author has lived.

Read the reviews and buy the collection: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W57M462

and on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07W57M462

Also by Balroop Singh

Read the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Balroop-Singh/e/B00N5QLW8U

and Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Balroop-Singh/e/B00N5QLW8U

Read more reviews and follow Balroop on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7340810.Balroop_Singh

Connect to Balroop via her blog: http://balroop2013.wordpress.com

The next author with a recent review is Bette A. Stevens for her poetry collection My Maine.

About My Maine

Inspired by The Pine Tree State—Maine’s diverse landscape, natural beauty, rural communities, and independent people—the author’s 150 haiku poems, along with her photographs, reflect the Maine she knows and loves. Bette A. Stevens’s imagery draws the reader into her world of wonder and delight. My Maine takes readers on a poetic journey through Maine’s four seasons. Whether you’re a native Mainer or from away, Stevens’s short story poems and photographs will resonate.

The collection opens with a haiku tribute, “Maine Pines and People.” The journey continues with the rejuvenating spirit of “Spring Awakenings” and “Summer Songs”; then on to more of the magic and majesty of the places and people of Maine in “Autumn Leaves” and “Winter Tales.” This is a poetry collection to be slowly savored, made even more delectable with the author’s original drawings and photographs. In addition to its poems and photographs, My Maine includes state symbols and interesting facts about The Pine Tree State.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Cathleen Townsend 5.0 out of 5 stars A quality read September 30, 2019

Bette A. Sevens is a real Renaissance woman when it comes to writing–she does it all. Children’s fiction and nonfiction with her charming story of Matilda the Monarch butterfly as well as her Tanagram puzzle book, historical fiction with Pure Trash and Dog Bone Soup, and now she’s turned her attention to further developing her skills in the demanding area of poetry.

Every word always counts, no matter the genre, but it seems that in poetry each one needs to work extra hard. Ms. Stevens has chosen the haiku form to paint her ephemeral pictures of mood and fleeting imagery, and she has clearly practiced her craft to come up with these gems. And even though I’ve never been to Maine, I feel I’ve been privileged to see it through Bette’s eyes. She obviously loves her home in a profound way.

My favorite haiku in the collection is titled simply “Autumn Leaves,” and it contains this exquisite passage:

“Radiant rustling leaves
Sketched among the trees
Foretell the story

Splashed across woodlands
Blazing brush transforms the world
Into a canvas”

This is a quality read, one where you’ll wish to savor every word.

Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SSNDL5L

And on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Maine-Haiku-through-Seasons-ebook/dp/B07SSNDL5L

Also by Bette A. Stevens

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Bette-A.-Stevens/e/B009GOYT1M

and Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bette-A.-Stevens/e/B009GOYT1M

Read more reviews and follow Bette on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6037707.Bette_A_Stevens

Connect to Bette A. Stevens via her blog:  https://4writersandreaders.com

The final author with a recent review is Julia Benally for Pariahs (Ilinga Book I)

About Pariahs (Ilings Book 1)

In a land of monsters and soulless creatures, there is a secluded compound terrorized by a fallen demon-killer, the Grand Apwor. He’s claimed its youngest occupant Vijeren as his son. The Grand Apwor can’t be killed, he can’t be escaped, and his punishments are severe and horrific. Somehow, he knows where Vijeren is at all times. When a law enforcer named Zhin appears like a living flame, a family war that’s been sizzling for decades finally ignites. It drags Vijeren in, revealing secrets of a long-forgotten past and a family torn asunder in recesses of lost memories. Only Zhin knows how to kill the Grand Apwor, but the answer rests on the love between a father and son–something that Vijeren doesn’t have…

One of the recent reviews for the book on Goodreads

Aug 27, 2019 Kathryn Blade rated it Four Stars

Julia Benally’s Pariahs is a neatly crafted fantasy that exhibits an inherent skill with world building and character creation. It snatched me up the second I started reading. I give the book four out of five stars.

The story details a family war ignited when a law enforcer named Zhin appears on the horizon after Vijeren is claimed by a demon-killer as its son. The adventures in Pariahs are richly detailed. I fell in love with the characters within the first few chapters. The interactions and adventures of the youngsters was reminiscent of some of the adolescent adventures in Stand By Me. The fight scenes are detailed and action packed. New creatures are richly detailed and are an exciting part of this world.

This isn’t a casual read. It takes some concentration on the part of the reader to stay with the story. If you’re able to do this, however, it is well worth the effort invested in the story.

As usual, I won’t reveal spoilers. If you’re a fan of fantasy novels, consider giving Pariahs a read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JNCYY1W

And Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pariahs-Ilings-Book-Julia-Benally-ebook/dp/B07JNCYY1W

Julia is also a contributor to a number of anthologies.

Read the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Julia-Benally/e/B017C8WCJO

and on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Julia-Benally/e/B017C8WCJO

Read the reviews and follow Julia on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/similar/6950221.Julia_Benally

Connect to Julia via her blog: https://sparrowincarnate.blogspot.com/

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you are leaving with some books under your arm… thanks Sally.