Monday, October 19, 2015

Michael Phillip Cash Reviews

The FlipThe Flip by Michael Phillip Cash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On the way home from a successful flip, Julie and Brad Evens come across an old Victorian home for sale. From the moment, she saw it Julie was in love, despite Brad's misgivings about the property they take a leap of faith and buy it. What they find inside is more than their relationship and nerves bargained for.
Once again, I am on the fence with another book from this author. I read this book quickly because it flowed well and the characters were unique and moved the story in the general direction it was supposed to go. That said there was a set of pivotal characters called the sentinels. They were the guardians everything and seemed to play a very important role, but they were only mentioned in passing and were not developed. Readers of this book are left hanging wondering who or what they are and why they are influencing the life or death direction of the main characters in the story. The beginning starts strong but seems to lose focus at the last few wrap-up chapters and floats to the finish line. Would I recommend this book? Yes, I found it very enjoyable but I do not find myself wanting to re-read it. If you like ghost stories, real estate flipping, or a fast read which is mildly intriguing then try this book because the underlining message is a good one; Love conquers all you just have to smart enough to recognize it.

Witches Protection ProgramWitches Protection Program by Michael Phillip Cash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After messing up on the job and losing a prisoner, Wes was given one last chance by the chief who was also his father. He was assigned to an obscure department who's sole purpose was to provide protection to witches. When he started it was all he could to finish the task then get out of there but what he found out surprised him so much he could not let go.
This is a must read for fans of witches, this author, or a good fast paced book with well-developed characters, and rounded plot line. It was funny, witty, and action-packed. I found myself wanting to read it again as soon as I was finished. Well, worth the read I highly recommend this book.

PokergeistPokergeist by Michael Phillip Cash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All Clutch ever wanted to do was win the International poker competition to once and for all prove to his grandfather he was the best. In the final round, It can me down to just him and the "Ant". He thought he was going to finally win the gold bracelet when tragedy struck. After that, his life was never the same, mainly because he was dead. He thought his dream had died with him until a young wannabe poker player crossed his path and made a wish that would bind them together. Along the way, they both learn a lot about themselves and what life truly means.
This is a wonderful book which lives up to its title it is fun, heartfelt and well-rounded the whole story flowed well. The characters were well balanced and believable. The ending was satisfying and there were no loose ends. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes funny books, ghost stories or tales where the underling comes out on top.

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Sunday, October 18, 2015

Serpent Queen by J.A. Campbell

Serpent Queen (Sky Yarns, #1)Serpent Queen by J.A. Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is hard to balance being an airship captain with being a vampire, but Captain Adair pulls it off masterfully in this tale of sky pirates, abusive leadership, and deception. The characters jump off the page and into your imagination leaving you're breathless in anticipation. The vivid descriptions of the environments are so intense you almost believe you are a part of the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes vampires, or action adventure books. It is well worth the read and a great book for your collection.

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Saturday, October 17, 2015

Teagan of Tomorrow (Legend of Rhyme, #3) by Jaime Lee Mann

Teagan of Tomorrow (Legend of Rhyme, #3)Teagan of Tomorrow by Jaime Lee Mann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book starts where the previous story left off. The twins find themselves in what they thought was a different place but instead found out it was a different time. Now they must work together to find their way back. Meanwhile, one of the descendants of their younger sister travels back to their time. Where she learns some enchanting things about herself and despite being out of her element she temporarily saves the day. To truly banish the darkness forever she needs the help of the twins unfortunately while trying to return the pair are accidentally sent back to the wrong time. Are they stuck there forever, will their descendent become the mermaid's new apprentice? We will just have to wait for the next installment to find out.
I am not sure what power this series has over me, but I just can not stop reading them. They are not necessarily written well the descriptions are repetitive. The people are described repeatedly while emotions, conversations, and environments are left hanging. This said I will still continue to read further installments and would recommend this series to younger children who like fantasy, adventure and care little about the confusing elements of who is who.

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Friday, October 16, 2015

Diary of an Ugly Sweater review and interview with author Cassi Eubank

Diary of an Ugly SweaterDiary of an Ugly Sweater by Cassi Eubank
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One little Christmas sweater decided to write a diary about her journey from the factory to her forever home. Along the way she learns a lot about friends, family, and the power of positive thinking. Like the sweater, this book is more then it seems it is filled with great tips for motivation, positive, thinking, self-worth, love, forgiveness, dreams, and family. A big theme throughout this book is the importance of loving yourself for who you are no matter what others think of you. Some readers may be weirded out by the narrator being a talking sweater, but sometimes people do not listen to others when they try to teach them life lessons and this author found an ingenious way of making learning about yourself fun. I would highly recommend this book to everyone it is a wonderful heartfelt tale told in a very imaginative way.


Please introduce yourself, who are you and what do you do?
 
Hi, I’m Cassi Eubank. I am an author, speaker as well as creative consultant for entrepreneurs as well as international corporations.
 
1) What genre do you like to write?
I am currently enjoying the world of children’s books. Kids are so amazing and see things through such fresh eyes that I find it energizes me to return to that place of innocence to be able to connect with them through the words.

2) If you were to branch out from your current genre which one(s) would you like to explore?
I am a huge reader of suspense/thrillers and feel I will at some point move in that direction. It is a challenge of a different nature and it will provide great growth as a writer, which I constantly strive for.

3) How long have you been writing? What prompted you to start writing?
My first published article was at the age of 8. It was a short story/poem that appeared in the local paper, the Coral Springs Forum. Poems, odes and short stories poured out of me until I became a teenager. Then it was high school journalism, writing for the school paper and editing the yearbook. Even when I was in a band, I wrote the original songs.
 
I love to write because you are able to create a whole world in your story and bring it to life. And when there is a purpose to your story, whether it is to inspire or deliver a valuable lesson, you can make a positive difference in the lives of people you have never even met and that gets my mojo going.

4) What inspires you to write?
My desire is sparked by the desire to make a difference. I am inspired, however, by the universe. What I mean by that is I have been blessed to be able to retain that childlike ability to tap into the universe by getting into a meditative state and allowing the vision of the story to develop. It plays through my mind like a movie. Then, the hard work comes in to bring the mind movie I saw to the pages in a unique and profound way. At least that is the goal.
 
5) When a story idea pops into your head, how long does it typically take to write it (from start to finish)? 
It depends on the book. My next book is already written and I am in the process of getting it illustrated. The Angel Alliance is directed toward children ages 2 – 10 and is a picture book that will be about 30 pages. This took a week to write and two weeks to edit, making sure each word had the most impact. Diary of an Ugly Sweater, however, took about 2 and a half months to write and another month and a half to edit. Diary is almost 200 pages and character development is more important when reaching middle grade (MG) or young adults (YA).

6) What did you find to be the most difficult part of the writing process?  Easiest?  
I find that I stop myself often to find just the right way to convey the thought I want to get across. Sometimes that breaks my flow and I have to go back a little to get back into it.
 
The easiest part of writing is the writing.

7) Of all your characters whom do you most relate to?
Sophie. She gets picked on and has some insecurities to overcome. While I cannot ever remember being called ugly, I know I felt that way. My adolescent years were a little painful at times, as it is for all kids. Sophie discovers the things I wish I had known at that age. I know how important confidence is to creating an extraordinary life and I want that for all young kids.
 
8) Is there one of your characters that you did not like when you started writing about them, but found yourself liking by the end of the story?
Not in this story.

9) What is your least favorite part about writing? Editing. I always edit three times before sending it to my editor for the first time.
The Most? When it is all flowing and the words just seem to type themselves. That is a magical experience.

10) When you are not writing or editing what do you do for relaxation? Love on my German Shepard Rocky, travel, public speaking and doing strategy plans and consulting with businesses and entrepreneurs.

11) What genre of books do you like to read?
Thriller, Suspense, Self-Development, Mystery, Children’s
 
12) What author(s) do you enjoy reading?  Why? 
Dr. Suess – he’s fun and I have a grandson
James Patterson – I love suspense thrillers and hos short chapters are such an easy read
John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark
I read numerous self-development books – Tony Robbins, Eckhardt Tolle, Deepak Chopra
John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark

13) Tell us about your books where can people find them?
Fall in love with Sophie by searching Diary of an Ugly Sweater on Amazon or Kindle.