Tag: fiction

The Life of Jim Garraty

This is a Leonberger blog, but I also post about other topics including book reviews of books that I love and want to promote. With this post I would like to promote a delightful book called Reunion: Coda: Book 2 of the Reunion Duology by Alex Diaz-Granados.

Below is an overview of the three formats of Reunion: Coda

  • Hardcover –  Publisher : Independently published (April 5, 2025), ASIN : B0F3VRRW3R, ISBN-13 : 979-8316859467, 471 pages, Item Weight : 2.85 pounds, dimensions ‏ : 8.25 x 1.25 x 11 inches, it cost $30.00 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
  • Paperback –  Publisher : Independently published (April 5, 2025), ASIN : B0F3VWJGDD, ISBN-13 : 979-8316867066, 529 pages, Item Weight : 2.29 pounds, dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 1.2 x 10 inches, it cost $ 26.00 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
  • Kindle – Publisher : ADG Books via Kindle Create (April 4, 2025), ASIN : B0F3V5HK2R, 473 pages. It is currently $5.99 on Amazon.com and free with Kindle unlimited. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
The front cover features a colorful nighttime photo of Manhattan from above.
Front cover of Reunion: Coda: Book 2 of the Reunion Duology by Alex Diaz-Granados. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the hardcover version of the book.

Amazon’s Description of Reunion Coda

In Reunion: Coda, Jim Garraty’s journey continues as he navigates the intricate dance between past regrets and present hopes. Now a successful history professor, Jim’s life is a tapestry of unspoken love, haunting memories, and the pursuit of emotional closure.

As Jim reflects on his high school years and the profound impact of his relationships, he grapples with the lessons learned from missed opportunities and the unpredictable nature of life. Through introspective moments and heartfelt letters, Jim uncovers the strength to confront his deepest fears and embrace new beginnings.

Reunion: Coda delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the enduring power of memory. It also explores the significance of friendship and the unpredictable turns that shape our lives. This poignant novel is a heartfelt exploration of the choices that define us, the connections that sustain us, and the hope that guides us on the journey of self-discovery.

This is my Amazon review of Reunion: Coda

The Mystery of Life and Love

This is a love story complicated by life. Jim Garraty is a successful History Professor who has tragically lost love and found love again. The story follows two timelines. One is focused on Jim’s high school days and his secret love Martina Reynaud, as well as everything that goes on in high school. The second timeline is focused on Jim’s life as a professor at Columbia University, memories of love lost and a divorce, as well as a newfound love, Maddy. The switch between the two timelines is obvious and clearly stated and yet seamless. The two timelines are built upon each other in a way that creates a captivating story and the fascinating world of Jim Garraty and his lovers and friends. I should mention that there are surprising connections between the two timelines, serendipity if you will.

The story is touching and romantic but also real and thought-provoking. I found the many subplots fascinating and insightful. For example, the story about one of his students becoming ensnared and bamboozled by far-right propaganda and acting upon it. That story was a good story on its own, but it also added to the overall narrative. Life is complicated and difficult, people will disappoint you, and mishaps in your professional life as well as traffic effects your romantic life as well. There were many other sub plots. The book enlightens us on subjects like lost love, courage, disappointments, tragedy, integrity and forgiveness. Life can be good but never perfect. We recognize ourselves in the stories and it helps us feel and grow.

The character development is astounding, and the prose is beautiful and lyrical. The writing is of a very high quality and the story telling is epic. I read the hardcover version of this book, which featured a lot of black and white illustrations. It is far from a graphic novel, but I appreciated the appealing and interesting illustrations. I highly recommend this book.

An overview of the book and a photo of the author when he was young.
Back cover of Reunion: Coda: Book 2 of the Reunion Duology by Alex Diaz-Granados. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the paperback version of the book.

About the Author of Reunion Coda

Alex Diaz-Granados (born 1963) has spent decades weaving words into stories, critiques, and screenplays, always with an eye for nuance and emotional depth. His journey began in the early 1980s as a staff writer and Entertainment Editor for his high school newspaper, later serving as Diversions Editor for Miami-Dade Community College’s South Campus student publication.

Fueled by a passion for cinema, he has been sharing his thoughts on film—raving about masterpieces and ranting about misfires—since 2003, contributing reviews to platforms like Amazon, Ciao, and Epinions.

Beyond criticism, Alex has collaborated with actor-director Juan Carlos Hernandez on several screenplays, including A Simple Ad, Clown 345, Ronnie and the Pursuit of the Elusive Bliss, and Sunny in the Village of the Crickets, all of which can be seen on YouTube. His writing extends to blogging, with general-interest articles once featured on Yahoo! Voices (formerly Associated Content).

As an author, Alex is best known for the Reunion Duology—the novella Reunion: A Story and its sequel Reunion: Coda. These works explore themes of nostalgia, regret, and the enduring bonds of friendship, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Miami and New York City. With cinematic storytelling and emotionally authentic characters, his work resonates with readers seeking a blend of memory and new beginnings.

Click here to visit the author’s website

Stories That Will Capture Your Heart

The focus of this blog is Leonbergers but sometimes I post about books that are not about Leonbergers but that I want to promote. Well, I read another book that I loved, so this is another one of those. I am reviewing and promoting a wonderful collection of short stories and poems called The Storyteller Speaks: Powerful Stories to Win Your Heart by Annika Perry. I bought the paperback version.

The front cover is in blue and white and features a woman blowing on a dandelion. In the background there are stars on a dark blue sky.
Front cover of The Storyteller Speaks by Annika Perry. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the paperback.

Amazon’s description of the book

It only takes one event to change a life. What is that action, decision, occurrence? Whose life is affected? Changed forever? In this eclectic mix of 21 short stories, flash fiction and poetry the pendulum swings between first love and murder, from soul-destroying grief to reconciliation. The tales veer from the sweet satisfaction of revenge to new beginnings, from heart-breaking miscarriages of justice to heart-warming Christmas misadventure. One common thread binds them all; the belief that there is no such thing as an ordinary life; they’re all extraordinary. Open your hearts and minds as The Storyteller Speaks.

Below is my review of The Storyteller Speaks by Annika Perry Click Here To See My Review On Amazon.

Captivating Stories for the Soul

This is a collection of 21 beautifully written stories as well as a few poems. Some of the stories depict the struggles and disappointments in life, some of them are tragic and sad, and some of them are uplifting and fun, but all of them are captivating stories centered on the unexpected in people’s lives. The author’s ability to portray emotions without using superlatives is remarkable. I could feel for and sympathize with the characters with ease. A few skillfully descriptive words were all that was needed. The author’s background is Swedish and since my background is Swedish many aspects of the stories felt familiar to me.

Many of the stories, perhaps all of them, are based on real events, sometimes taken from the author’s own life. I think the story that stayed with me the most was A Green Cage. It was about a woman who was wrong-fully convicted of murdering her children. The story depicted her emotions both very harrowingly and realistically just by stating the facts about what she felt. Another story that stayed with me was Sofia, a story about a tragedy occurring at the zoo. It depicted the dire consequences of thoughtless teenage antics as well as love and bravery going overboard. People do stupid things that can turn a fun day into death. The first story, Biding her Time, is a beautiful love story, which I believe was about the love story of her grandfather and grandmother. The last story, “The Loss of a Patriarch”, is a beautiful tribute to her late grandfather.

It is a very enjoyable and unforgettable collection of stories that is masterfully written. I loved reading it and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in reading short stories.

The back cover is in blue and white and features the backside of the head of the woman blowing on a dandelion. Again, with stars on a dark blue background in the background.
Back cover of The Storyteller Speaks by Annika Perry. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the kindle version.

About the Author

Photo of Annika Perry author of The Storyteller Speaks.

Annika Perry is a full-time writer, blogger and book reviewer. She was born in Gothenburg, Sweden and raised near Ilkley, West Yorkshire. Annika received her BA Honours Degree in German Language and Literature from the University of Leeds.

Her initial employment was as a journalist followed by many years as an agent in the timber trade. She was awarded first prize in Writing Magazine’s Short Story Competition in 2014 and also shortlisted in an Ink Tears Short Fiction Contest. “The Storyteller Speaks”, a collection of short stories, flash fiction and poetry, was her debut book. “Oskar’s Quest”, a beautifully illustrated and enchanting children’s story, is her second published book. Annika Perry lives with her family in a small village in North Essex, England.

Connect with Annika via:

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The Day Bronco Saved the Neighborhood from a Nighttime Stalker

I once apologized to our neighbor Sam because our Leonberger Bronco had been barking. To my surprise Sam told me not to worry, let him bark he said, it scares the bad guys away, and is good for the entire neighborhood. I think the story below, which is an excerpt from my book might explain his thinking.

Bronco is standing on a red leather sofa. I am standing next to the sofa and Bronco is reaching over giving me a hug.
Our Leonberger dog Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle when he was young. He is giving me a hug.

A quiet and spooky evening alone

It was a quiet evening, and I was home alone. My wife, Claudia, was visiting her parents a few blocks away with Rachel, our daughter. Our son Jacob was meeting with his debate team; our other son, David, was visiting a friend.

I was making myself a ham sandwich in the kitchen when I suddenly felt a hand on my right shoulder. I startled and turned my head to face what I feared was an intruder, and there he stood on his hind legs—our Leonberger, Bronco. His big paw on my shoulder felt for a moment exactly like a human hand.

Bronco looked at me with his kind, wise eyes, then he looked at the sandwich. Then he turned his head toward me again and held my gaze. At that moment I understood what he wanted. I cut the sandwich in two and gave him his half.

The night stalker

I should explain that we had a problem with a trespasser at that time, which was the reason I was startled. This trespasser would sit outside our bedroom window at night and make threats and shout obscene comments at Claudia when I was not present. At first, though, we didn’t know where the threats and comments were coming from. I doubted Claudia’s accounts of these incidents, especially because she thought the voice might be coming from within our bedroom, perhaps via an electronic speaker. I thought she was just having nightmares.

Then one night I heard it myself—a voice screaming, “I am going to burn your house down!” Just as Claudia had said, it sounded like it came from within our bedroom, almost as if it were right next to me.

After Claudia and I went through our “Oh, so now you believe me” routine, I started looking under our bed and inside the heating and air-conditioning vents for hidden speakers and/or microphones. It was hard to believe that someone had planted these things in our bedroom, but that seemed to be the case. Then it finally dawned on me. Next to the headboard of our bed, on Claudia’s side, just inches from her pillow, is a window. At night, when the blinds are lowered and the slats are partially open, you can see in, even if we have just a few lights on in the house. But of course under these conditions, you can’t see anything that might be outside.

The stalker is sitting in a lawn chair and looking through our window.
The nightly stalker or voyeur looking through our bedroom window. Illustration by Naomi Roseblatt.

I ran out the front door and around the back of the house, and there, right in front of our bedroom window, was one of our lawn chairs. The trespasser had climbed our fence, taken the chair, sat down in front of the window, and spied on us. Whenever I left the room, he would shout obscenities and threats at Claudia. When his face was planted in front of our window, he was just two or three feet away. This was why the voice felt so close. This had been going on for two weeks. We were happy to have finally figured it out, but we realized we had a problem.

We talked to our neighbors about the situation, and they told us that the trespasser had terrorized them as well. He had been quite busy looking through bedroom windows at night. People in the neighborhood were scared. I called the police, who told us they could do nothing unless the man was caught in the act or he committed a crime other than trespassing.

The detectives

Therefore, I decided to hire private investigators. I found them in the phone book. Phone books still existed back then.

The investigators told me that they typically spy on people suspected of cheating on their spouses, so this would be a more interesting job for them. The plan was for them to hide behind the bushes in our backyard and in a dark car parked on our street. When the man appeared, they would record him on video. They had a lot of fancy equipment and instruments, including big microphones, cameras, and metal detectors. They reminded us of Ghostbusters with all their technology and enthusiasm. They clearly loved their job. Unfortunately, though, the trespasser didn’t show up, so after a couple of days I decided to let the investigators go.

However, I soon figured out who the trespasser was. I started paying attention to what was going on in the neighborhood, and one evening, I noticed a strange-looking but relatively young man, apparently homeless, who seemed to be stealthily roaming our neighborhood. I did not confront him, because I had no proof.

Bronco saves the neighborhood.

But a few days later, I heard shuffling noises outside our bedroom window. The trespasser was finally back. This time I sent Bronco out to chase him, and he did. Like the detectives, Bronco was enthusiastic but didn’t catch him. Still, he chased the man off. Having a big bearlike dog rushing toward you at night is probably a bit unnerving, even if the dog just wants to lick you. We never experienced or heard about the problem after this event, so Bronco may have helped the entire neighborhood.

Illustration of a big dog chasing a guy in blue jeans.
Bronco chasing off the intruder who would not return. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.

A couple of weeks later, while walking Bronco on a neighboring block, I saw the homeless man across the street, at a bit of a distance. He stared at us in fright. Bronco just calmly looked at him without barking. The man was clearly terrified of Bronco, and he ran away. But despite the nightmare the homeless man had inflicted on us, I felt sorry for him. My guess is that he was suffering from mental illness and that he had had a very tough and lonely life.

Bronco our Leonberger is standing on the lawn. A ray of sunshine is shining over his head.
Bronco is a hero.

Did your dog(s) or pets do something heroic?

Dogs Are Better Than Husbands

The focus of this blog is Leonbergers but sometimes I post about books that are not about Leonbergers and when I do it is books that I want to promote. This is another one of those. I just read The Good Dog: A Novella Paperback – March 30, 2023, by Laura Stamps. It is a book that I loved and therefore I want to promote it.

Paperback –  Publisher : Prolific Pulse Press LLC (March 30, 2023), ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BXK1Y9FB, ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8987520024, 62 pages, Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.03 ounces, Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.83 x 0.14 x 8.27 inches, it cost $10.00 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.

The front cover of the book shows a brown Chihuahua sitting in a red purse
Front cover of  The Good Dog. Click here or on the picture to visit the Amazon.com page for the book.

Amazon’s description of the book

Ashley is not a dog person. She’s not. Just ask her. Yet for some reason she’s obsessed with Chihuahuas. And she’s not happy about it. No, not at all. Not when she has other issues to deal with. Like chronic anxiety. And panic attacks. And a crazy ex-husband who can’t stop stalking her. Yeah, the last thing Ashley needs is a dog. Or so she thinks. Until a stranger at PetSmart tells her a dog is better than a husband. Could this be true? Ready or not, Ashley is about to find out! Endearing, empowering, entertaining, and laugh-out-loud funny. “The Good Dog” is all of this and more!

If you’ve ever had even the remotest wish to be wild and crazy, take a twirl with Walter and Ashley in this adorable novella. Find out how one little dog can change someone’s life in big ways just by listening and barking a couple of times. THE GOOD DOG will leave you begging for more!

– Nolcha Fox, Author of Memory is That Raccoon

Anyone who takes guilty pleasure in tiny dog sweaters and pup handbags will enjoy this sweet romp into Chihuahua love. Even if you’re a cat person or a bona fide foe of fuzzy, needy critters, you’ll find yourself falling for Walter. Laura Stamps does warm and funny like no one else.

– Lorette C. Luzajic, Author of Winter in June

Like a Chihuahua, THE GOOD DOG may be small, but it is perfectly formed. And like Walter, the good dog himself, this novella has a big heart. Stamps deftly and delicately creates characters to care and root for, as well as handling complex subjects. Written in her trademark short and snappy style, Stamps’ latest novella is a compelling read – one I finished in a single sitting!

– Laura Besley, Author of 100neHundred

My Amazon Review of The Good Dog

Dogs are better than Husbands

Ashley is not interested in getting a dog, but she is obsessed with Chihuahuas, and she goes to PetSmart just to look at them. After a staff member at the store tells her that dogs are better than husbands and that a Chihuahua named Walter did not get a single like on his Facebook page, she buys Walter. How can you reject someone who has been so tragically rejected? Walter turns out to be a very good dog. A second thread in the story is Earl, her emotionally manipulative hypochondriac ex-husband who is stalking her. He doesn’t like dogs. He also thinks that a little red bump on his skin is cancer and that he is going to die soon.

This book is hilarious, and I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions. The book also managed to pull at my heartstrings quite a bit and it had a serious side to it as well. The book is beautifully written and very entertaining. Above all it tells a great story. It is fast paced, and a real page turner, which is why I read it today in one sitting in less than two hours. I highly recommend this book.

Back cover of the book displays the text for Amazon description of the book. Below the text is a brown Chihuahua
Back cover of  The Good Dog.

About the Author

Laura Stamps is a poet and novelist who loves to create experimental forms for her poetry and fiction. Author of over 50 novels, novellas, and poetry books. Winner of the Muses Prize. Recipient of a Pulitzer Prize nomination and 7 Pushcart Prize nominations. Published in more than 2000 literary magazines and anthologies worldwide. Lover of Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and cats.

Harbor Point Series Book Five and Six

The books I review in this blog are normally Leonberger books but sometimes I review other kinds of books that I love and that I want to promote. In this post I will review the fifth and sixth book of an incredible series of books called the Harbor Point series. To see my reviews for books one and two click here and for books three and four click here. Below are the books I am reviewing in this post.

The Edge of Too Late

The Edge of Too Late by Jan Sikes comes in a paperback edition, and a Kindle edition and I read the paperback edition.

  • Paperback – November 28, 2023, ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1732973962, ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1732973961, 126 pages, Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.9 ounces, dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.29 x 8 inches, it is currently $5.99 on Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com. 
  • Kindle – November 28, 2023‏, ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CCQ1QB9X, 108 pages. It is currently $2.99 on Amazon.com (free with kindle unlimited). Click here to order it from Amazon.com. 
This is the front cover of The Edge of Too Late by Jan Sikes. It shows a cliff with a lighthouse partially hidden by fog.
The front cover of The Edge of Too Late by Jan Sikes. (Picture was a scan of the book).

This is Amazon’s description of the book.

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.

This is my five-star Amazon Review of The Edge of Too Late

A Most Eventful Weekend

Brandon Miller is a successful video game creator who wants to propose to his girlfriend Angela Cooper. His plan is to do so during a weekend getaway at the Harbor Pointe Inn, which is located next to a lighthouse. Angela loves Brandon but is reluctant to get married again because of her bad experiences in her first marriage. What they didn’t expect is that Harbor Pointe Inn and the lighthouse is haunted, by ghosts as well as dark souls of the human sort. There are mysterious and paranormal events, and danger is awaiting them.

This story is both romantic and a bit scary but above all else suspenseful and full of intriguing plot twists, both dark and happy ones. The character development is excellent, and you care for the characters. The relationship between Brandon and Angela is described beautifully and the dialogues are believable and interesting. The descriptions of nature, the oceanside, apparitions, the inn and the lighthouse are vivid and atmospheric. I can add that even though this book is part of a series, it can be read standalone. It was a pleasure to read, and it is certainly a page turner. I highly recommend it.

The back cover of the book The Edge of Too Late feature the Amazon description of the book a publisher logo (RiJan Publishing) and a bar code.
The back cover of The Edge of Too Late by Jan Sikes

About the Author

I’ve been an avid reader all my life. I can still remember the excitement that surged through me the first time I realized I could decipher words. There’s nothing I love more than losing myself in a story.

Oddly enough, I never had any ambition to be a writer. But I wound up in mid-life with a story that begged to be told. Not just any story, but a true story that rivaled any fiction creation. Through fictitious characters, the tale came to life in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books. Not satisfied to stop with the books, I released music CDs of original music to match the time period of each story segment. In conclusion, to bring the story full circle, I published a book of poetry and art. I was done.

Wrong!

The story ideas keep coming, and I don’t intend to turn off the creative fountain.

I love all things metaphysical and often include those aspects in my stories.

I am a member of the Author’s Marketing Guild, The Writer’s League of Texas, Story Empire, and the Paranormal Writer’s Guild. I am an avid fan of Texas music and grandmother of five beautiful souls. I reside in North Texas.

Connect through Jan’s website

A Fathomless Affair

The sixth book A Fathomless Affair by Staci Troilo also comes in a paperback edition, and a Kindle edition and in this case, I read the kindle version.

  • Paperback – December 5, 2023, ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CKPBBVHH, ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8863386881, 132 pages, Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7 ounces, dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.3 x 8 inches, it is currently $5.99 on Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com. 
  • Kindle – December 5, 2023‏ : ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CCQLDX47, 115 pages. It is currently $2.99 on Amazon.com (free with kindle unlimited). Click here to order it from Amazon.com. 
The front cover of A Fathomless Affair feature a cliff with a lighthouse and birds flying (likely seagulls). The cliff is partially hidden in fog.
The front cover of A Fathomless Affair

This is Amazon’s description of the book.

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.

This is my five-star Amazon Review of A Fathomless Affaire

Surreal Days at Harbor Pointe Inn

Lorelei Audley is organizing her father’s third wedding, which will take place at the Harbor Pointe Inn, a hotel located next to a lighthouse in northern California. Unfortunately, her father is selfish, ungrateful and rude and appears to be a narcissist and his new bride is equally obnoxious. He is also hiding some things, which leads to unpleasant surprises. Lorelei falls and hurts herself, she does not get enough sleep, and there’s a curse and a ghost ship. All this creates a surreal and stressful situation for Lorelei. Is she going crazy? Will she be able to handle the abuse and the family drama? Luckily, she befriends a clearheaded astronomer who is at the Inn to observe a newly discovered comet that is having a close encounter with earth.

A lot of things happen in this action packed and gripping adventure, but the author takes the time to describe and develop the characters well and you will empathize with and understand the characters, especially Lorelei. The family drama is outrageous and yet it seems familiar and comprehensible. As you read about Lorelei’s troubles and the strange events taking place you feel that you need to find out how things will turn out and you want explanations. In other words, it is a real page turner. If you love mysteries and drama this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.

About the Author

Staci Troilo grew up in Western Pennsylvania writing stories and poetry in her free time, so it was no surprise that she studied writing in college. After receiving creative and professional writing degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, she went on to get her Master’s Degree in Professional Writing, and she worked in corporate communications until she had her children.

When they had grown, she went on to become a writing professor, and now she is a freelance writer and editor.

Staci is a multi-genre author. Her fiction is character-driven, and despite their protests, she loves to put them in all kinds of compromising or dangerous situations.

You can find out more about her on her website (stacitroilo.com).

The Powerful Voice Of A Story Teller

This is a Leonberger blog but sometimes I post about books that are not about Leonbergers but that are books that I want to promote. This is another one of those. I recently read Voice Of A Story Teller Paperback – by Sara Kjeldsen. It was a book that I loved and therefore I want to promote it.

  • Paperback –  September 29, 2020, ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08KB137YM, ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8690747237, 91 pages, Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces, dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.21 x 9 inches, it cost $4.65 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com. 
  • Kindle – September 25, 2020, ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08K5Q3J7L, 66 pages. It is currently $3.99 on Amazon.com. Click here to order it from Amazon.com. 
Mountainous landscape in darkness and a starry sky.
Front cover of  Voice Of A Story Teller. Click here or the picture to visit the Amazon.com page for the paperback version of the book.

Amazon’s description of the book

A troubled war survivor named Barak becomes obsessed with a beloved story teller named Almaz. Though she is beautiful and charming, Barak is convinced that she is a fake and has the power to start wars. He can’t seem to control his violent thoughts toward her and they worsen every time she runs into him. Will Almaz be able to help Barak heal with her words, or will he act on his urges?

My Amazon Review of Voice Of A Story Teller

The Story of a Lonely Mind Darkened by Pain

This story takes place in a somewhat dystopian future. The narrator, Barak, lost his friends in a terrible war, something that deeply traumatized him. He feels forgotten by his society and he becomes obsessed with a charming storyteller Almaz whom he feels is arrogant and is stealing everyone’s attention away from what he thinks is important. His bitterness, self-pity, envy and anger result in him hating Almaz. We are following his dark thoughts, which leads him to commit dark acts, which in turn result in an intriguing tale with interesting consequences.

I hesitate to call Barak a protagonist, which is why I call him “the narrator”. You can understand him and feel sorry for him even though you disagree with his thinking and his ghastly actions. Culpability, being responsible, karma, still apply even when you are hurting, a truth that your self-pity may overshadow. The Abel and Cain story comes to mind, and I was also relating it to the confessions of the demon in Clive Barker’s Mr. B Gone. I guess the author used her expertise in therapy to make Barak’s dark character possible to understand, even relatable, at the same time as the story teaches us readers something.

This book is very well written, compelling and imaginative. It is full of interesting twists and surprises, wow moments, and may even be shocking at times. It is a book you want to think about after you are done reading it. The book also demonstrates the value of storytelling. Stories are powerful and they stay with us long after the storyteller is gone. It is certainly a page turner and I highly recommend it.

The Amazon description of the book on black background. The author's picture is in the upper left corner.
Back cover of  Voice Of A Story Teller. Click here or the picture to visit the Amazon.com page for the kindle version of the book.

About the Author

Sara is a Canadian multi-genre author who loves tea and adventures. This is a list of her published books

Harbor Point Series Book Three and Four

The books I review in this blog are typically Leonberger books but sometimes I review other kinds of books that I love and want to promote. In this post I will review the third and fourth book of an incredible series of books called the Harbor Point series. To see my reviews for book one and two click here.

The Destination

The Destination comes in a paperback edition, and a Kindle edition and I read the kindle edition.

  • Paperback – October 31, 2023, ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8865687214, 74 pages, Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.6 ounces, dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.17 x 8 inches, it is currently $5.99 on Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com. 
  • Kindle – October 31, 2023‏ : ‎ B0CCQB7X1S, 64 pages. It is currently $2.99 on Amazon.com (free with kindle unlimited). Click here to order it from Amazon.com. 
The front cover the book The Destination by D. L. Finn. It features a large cliff by the sea with a lighthouse with the book title in large purple letters.
The Destination by D. L. Finn

This is Amazon’s description of the book.

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.

It’s 1967, and best friends Lacey and Sandy are enjoying a beach vacation, completely unaware of the danger that is lying in wait outside their door. Their room is quaint, with an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean and an old lighthouse, but a killer is stalking their next victim. Powerless, Annie the ghost watches, knowing there’s nothing she can do to help—not even her parents, the innkeepers. Who will survive their stay at the Harbor Pointe Inn, where the edge of evil lurks within the shadows?

This is my five-star Amazon Review of The Destination

A Sinister Presence Threatens Vacationers

Two best friends Sandy and Lacey are on vacation, and they are staying at Harbor Pointe Inn, a hotel next to a lighthouse by the California coast. There is a serial killer on the lose and there is also a ghost who is trying to be helpful. The setting is depicted skillfully so that you really feel as if you are present at the ocean side, the beach, the cliffs, the cave, the old hotel and lighthouse, and the old friendly couple at the Inn, etc. The story is entertaining and imaginative but foreboding and it builds tension. It features an ominous presence which is hinted at throughout the story until we find out about it at the end. To me this is a new take on the serial killer genre and seeing the situation develop through the eyes of unsuspecting people as well as through the eyes of an innocent ghost who knows the truth but has limited powers is quite intriguing.

The characters are well developed and believable, the dialogue is engaging, and the story is compelling and unique. You need to keep reading because you want to find out what is going on and what will happen. The ending was unique and emotional. I highly recommend this short story.

About the Author

D.L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to the Sierra foothills in Nevada City, CA. She immersed herself in reading all types of books, but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy.

She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, being surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations vary from children’s books, young adult fantasy, and adult paranormal romance to an autobiography with poetry. She continues on her adventures with an open invitation for her readers to join her.

Discover more about D.L. Finn on her website and blog at https://dlfinnauthor.com/.

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The Seas of Time

The fourth book The Seas of Time also comes in a paperback edition, and a Kindle edition and in this case, I read the paperback.

  • Paperback – November 13, 2023, 2023, ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CMLMDC87, ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8865687214, 151 pages, Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces, dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.35 x 8 inches, it is currently $7.50 on Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com. 
  • Kindle – November 14, 2023, 2023‏ : ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CCQGRXH9, 145 pages. It is currently $2.99 on Amazon.com (free with kindle unlimited). Click here to order it from Amazon.com. 
The front cover of The Seas of Time. It shows a large cliff with a lighthouse located by the sea. The book title is in large blue font.
The front cover of The Seas of Time (scan)

This is Amazon’s description of the book.

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.

In 1858, a ship carrying ice from Alaska wrecked off the coast of California, and little does Taliah Keldan realize how that tragedy will impact her life in 1972.

When Tali decides to quit college and become a civil rights activist, her disappointed parents encourage her to think it over. What better spot for contemplation than at her aunt and uncle’s Harbor Pointe Inn, a charming seaside getaway with its own lighthouse? The place is under renovation and empty of guests. All she’ll have to deal with is the construction crew.

But the inn is far from peaceful.

Tali discovers an old Bible hidden in the lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Strange prayers angle down the margins, all but one ruined by the sea. When she deciphers the crude writing, a dark portal gapes open to a pre-civil war night when an escaped slave in a foundering ship prayed to his voodoo God. A winged creature emerges from the watery void, and her stay transforms into a nightmare.

With the aid of the construction foreman, Tali is determined to send the beast back through time, a choice that will risk their lives, test her convictions, and change her future.

The back cover of The Seas of Time feature a description of the book, over clouds and birds
The back of The Seas of Time (scan)

This is my five-star Amazon Review of The Seas of Time

Voodoo, Imagination, Action, a Great Story Originating with Slavery

This is a somewhat scary paranormal fantasy story with some comical passages, but above all, it is a good story. It is part of a series of books centered on a lighthouse at Harbor Point on the northern California coast. The story begins in 1858 on a ship traveling from Alaska to California. Onboard is an African American escaped slave whom the crew is planning to sell back into slavery. To save himself he uses voodoo. Next, we move forward to 1972 where we meet Tali, a young and determined African American woman who comes to Harbor Point for a temporary job as a caretaker. She accidentally summons the supernatural and so begins a wild adventure.

It is a unique story filled with horror, mystery, and fast paced action. The story is very imaginative with lots of fantastic imagery including some wormhole-like time travel, as well as some comedy. The character development is amazing, and you’ll find yourself caring for several of the characters. The characters grow and mature in ways that are both plausible and inspiring. I imagined Tali as being an older version of Abra Stone from Stephen King’s Dr. Sleep. It is a very good story, and I was very entertained the entire time as I read the book. I highly recommend it.

About the Author

A long-time reader, best-selling author D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life when years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books. She was instantly hooked.

In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.

Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

For book descriptions, excerpts, maps, and behind the scenes info, please visit http://dwallacepeachbooks.com.

For her blog on all things writing, please visit http://mythsofthemirror.com.

Ready for an adventure?

The Ferryman and the Sea Witch

The Sorcerer’s Garden

Sunwielder

The Bone Wall

The Melding of Aeris

Unraveling the Veil Series:

Liars and Thieves

Allies and Spies

Lords of Chaos

The Shattered Sea Duology:

Soul Swallowers, Book I

Legacy of Souls, Book II

The Rose Shield Tetralogy:

Catling’s Bane, Book I

Oathbreakers’ Guild, Book II

Farlanders’ Law, Book III

Kari’s Reckoning, Book IV

The Dragon Soul Saga:

Myths of the Mirror, Book I

Eye of Fire, Book II

Eye of Blind, Book III

Eye of Fire, Book IV

Grumpy Ana and the Grouchy Monsters: A Children’s Space Tale

Harbor Point Series The First Two Books

The books I review in this blog are typically Leonberger books but sometimes I review other kinds of books that I love and want to promote. I’ve come across a very good series of 8 books called the Harbor Point Series. There are a couple of them I haven’t read yet, but I am certain they will be great as well. I decided to review two Harbor Point books at a time starting with the first two:

The Price of Atonement

The Price of Atonement comes in one format, Kindle – September 26, 2023, ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CCW59D94, 117 pages. It is currently $2.99 on Amazon.com (free with kindle unlimited). Click here to order it from Amazon.com.

Front cover of the book the Gift by Gwn M. Plano. It is grey, foggy, and a large cliff with a lighthouse.
The Price of Atonement by Mae Clair

This is Amazon’s description of the book.

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.

Some hauntings come from within.

Leviticus Sinclair has been a broken man since the murders of his wife and brother. Burdened by personal failures the night they were killed, he occupies himself by crossing the country, searching out departed spirits unwilling to move from this world to the next. His dead brother’s Bible and a pocket watch—forever frozen at the precise moment of his wife’s death—serve as grim reminders of a past he cannot exorcise.

Accompanied by Wyatt Resnick, a paid employee who fills the role of researcher and hired muscle, Leviticus arrives at the Harbor Pointe Inn amid rumors of a vengeful ghost. A phantom who may be the single spirit he has long sought, one capable of freeing him from his torment.

Set in the remote Pacific Northwest of 1887, The Price of Atonement is a story of jealousy, guilt, and one man’s relentless quest for absolution.

This is my five-star Amazon Review of The Price of Atonement

An Angry Ghost and A Mysterious Ghost Hunter

The Price of Atonement is the first book in the Harbor Point series, a series of eight spooky books centered around the Harbor Point lighthouse and the Harbor Point Inn, the adjacent hotel or Inn. At the beginning of this book, we learn that the Harbor Point lighthouse was constructed in 1870 and was built by Isaac Hawthorne. This story takes place in 1887. The Harbor Point books can be read independently but I recommend that you read this one so that you know the background.

Leviticus Sinclair arrives at Harbor Point Inn with his assistant Wyatt Resnik. Harbor Point is haunted by an angry and powerful ghost, which has not been good for business. The current owner is August Hawthorne, the son of Isaac Hawthorne, and his wife Etta. One source of the haunting is believed to be the sinking of the June Pearl in 1876, in which 2/3 of crew died. Leviticus has powerful paranormal abilities due to his unusual situation, but he is also acting like a detective. Leviticus and his assistant Wyatt has to figure out what is going on, which is not easy since not everyone is willing to share what they know. They reminded me a bit of Sherlock Holmes and Watson. All I will divulge is that we are in for some big surprises and interesting revelations.

This is a scary ghost story that should satisfy any fan of paranormal horror. It is also an intriguing mystery and a detective story. Above all it is a good story that is very spooky and fun and full of surprises. A haunted lighthouse may seem like a typical ghost story, but it is not. It is a very unique story. The characters are well developed and believable and you empathize with them. It is very well written. I highly recommend The Price of Atonement.

About the Author

A member of the International Thriller Writers, Mae Clair is also a founding member and contributor to the award-winning writing blog, Story Empire. She has achieved bestseller status on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with several of her novels chosen as book club selections.

Mae writes primarily in the mystery/suspense genre, flavoring her plots with elements of urban legend and folklore. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about cryptozoology, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail, and cats.

Discover more about Mae on her website and blog at MaeClair.com.

The Gift

The second book, The Gift also comes in one format, Kindle – October 17, 2023, ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CD15LV2Z, 85 pages. It is currently $2.99 on Amazon.com (free with kindle unlimited). Click here to order it from Amazon.com.

Front cover of the book the Gift by Gwn M. Plano. It is grey, foggy, and a large cliff with a lighthouse.
The Gift by Gwen M. Plano

This is Amazon’s description of the book.

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.

In an innocent 1958 American suburb, Shelly doesn’t know the power of a kiss. Or how it will change her entire life.

At sixteen years old, she falls in love with a young man. One night—just one night—they go too far. Months later, pregnant and shamed, Shelly’s parents banish her.

Alone and heavily pregnant, circumstances force Shelly to cross the country in an old pickup.

A mistaken turn leaves her lost in a forest amidst a severe snow storm and in labor.

In the dark of night. Shelly must get help for her new-born baby before they both perish. A light in the distance gives her the slimmest glimmer of hope.

After Shelly wraps the infant in her father’s old jacket, she trudges through the snow to a lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Snow half buries the squat stone building.

Will Shelly find shelter, or is it the beginning of the end?

This is my five-star Amazon Review of The Gift

A Christmas Miracle by the Lighthouse

This book is a little different from the others in the Harbor Point series in the sense that it is not a horror story or a spooky story. It features some mysteries, but it is more of a feel-good love story centered on the Harbor Point Lighthouse and the Harbor Point Inn. At the beginning of the story a 17-year-old pregnant girl named Shelly is sent away by her parents. They want nothing to do with her. Her father gives her his old truck and some money and off she goes. Bad things happen and her future looks grim but then things turn around. You could call it a Christmas miracle by the lighthouse.

It is a beautiful Christmas story, which I admit was not what I expected. It was pure coincidence that I read it on Christmas Day. I am writing this review on Christmas Day as well. Life is full of unexpected events, some of which may seem like miracles, and this story is about a Christmas miracle. A miracle, yes, but it is entirely believable. The author did a great job in making the reader feel good and the story was captivating, and the characters were believable and relatable. If you want to read a good story that makes you feel happier, read this story. I highly recommend it.

About the Author

Gwen M. Plano, aka Gwendolyn M. Plano, grew up in Southern California and spent most of her professional life in higher education. She taught and served as an administrator in colleges in Japan, New York, Connecticut, and California. Gwen’s academic background is in theology and counseling. Recently retired, she now lives in the high desert of Arizona, where she writes, gardens, and travels with her husband.

Gwen’s first book is an acclaimed memoir, Letting Go into Perfect Love. Her second book, The Contract between heaven and earth, is a thriller fiction novel, co-authored by John W. Howell. It has received multiple awards and is an Amazon Best Seller. The Choice, the unexpected heroes is the sequel to The Contract. It is also a thriller, involving the attempt of an unfriendly nation to take over the world. The third book in the series, The Culmination, a new beginning is an action-packed military thriller that spans the globe and involves multiple Heads of State and the threat of World War III. Only love can change the fate of humanity.

When Gwen is not writing, she’s often in the beautiful Red Rocks of Sedona, where she finds inspiration.