Hello and Welcome, Avid Readers,
Are You Looking for some Fantastic Reads?
You won’t go wrong by purchasing and reading these sweet reading treats written by many of the fine authors we represent at ‘Lyon Literary Services.’ Cat loves sharing books and ‘The Why’ you should read them when they have these exceptional editorial book reviews like the ones below. With the Holiday Season almost here, they would make great gifts too. and all books are available on Amazon, and most are within Kindle Unlimited Membership! …Enjoy!
The Shaman and the Mafia
By Elizabeth Upton
The Shaman and the Mafia is a work of fiction in the mystery subgenre. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Elizabeth Upton.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
The Shaman and the Mafia is a work of fiction in the mystery subgenre. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Elizabeth Upton. The book follows former nun Marietta Collins as she is dragged into the aftershock of a tragic murder when her friend Joseph is killed in what looks like a mob hit. As Marietta becomes romantically involved with both Joseph’s brother and the FBI agent investigating the death, the past refuses to stay buried for all involved as the FBI hunts the mafia boss believed to have ordered the hit whilst the police search for the killer directly.
While the mystery of Joseph Gleason’s murder lies at the center of this novel and provides the core narrative around which the characters gather, the significant contribution to the story the death makes is to act as a catalyst for an in-depth and intriguing character study of those involved in Joseph’s life.
Author Elizabeth Upton has created a cast of colorful characters, each of whom has had life breathed into them by her stunning prose, and it’s a treat to turn each page and find the direction in which the narrative events will push them next. I particularly enjoyed the development of Detective Riley as she is forced to confront the harsh reality of corruption in an institution she has served for years. Beautifully blending the trappings of a love story and a thriller, The Shaman and the Mafia uses the best of both genres to tell a story unlike any other, which will stay with readers long after the final page is turned.
#### #### ####
This Is Me Trying: Navigating Through A Lifetime of Trauma
By Wilsdaryon Prescher
This Is Me Trying: Navigating Through A Lifetime of Trauma is a work of non-fiction in the memoir subgenre. It is aimed at mature readers and was penned by author Wilsdaryon Prescher.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
The book follows the author’s recovery from the abuse he endured in his youth, a journey made possible by the power of music. Throughout the rocky road of escaping the abuse, developing coping mechanisms that hindered more than they helped, and encountering the biases that people hold against abuse survivors, the power of music provides a tool for the author to rediscover their authentic self and move forward into adulthood.
I’m always in awe of any author penning a memoir, especially one willing to show sincere emotional vulnerability to their readers, but sometimes an author leaves nothing off the table when describing the upsetting and painful parts of their lives. Such an author is Wilsdaryon Prescher, whose willingness to frankly portray some of the most challenging situations a young person can live through is matched deftly by his skillful prose in doing justice to the depiction of those moments.
This book is an emotional journey that readers will be moved by as they experience the hardships of the author’s younger years and the rocky road to happiness that came with adulthood. Overall, This Is Me Trying is an honest depiction of the never-ending struggle toward recovery and a book that frankly depicts mental health issues and the journey to better mental and emotional well-being, wherever your starting point in life may be. Highly suggest reading!
#### #### #### ####
Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge
(Book Three – John Callahan Series) By Elizabeth Upton
Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge is a crime mystery romance novel by Elizabeth Upton.
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge is a crime mystery romance novel by Elizabeth Upton. It’s been ten years since John Callahan had last seen his grandmother, Annabella O’Sullivan. Upon a visit to her sprawling estate in Dublin, Ireland, John is delivered a striking blow when his grandmother dies, and he is her sole heir.
His grandmother’s death and the unexpected murder of an employee force him to hire private security guards for himself and Morgan Gallagher, Annabella’s lover. Additionally, his recently inherited estate has a break-in by an armed man. Meanwhile, John starts falling for an Irish woman named Sara O’Boyle. But when one of his own employees becomes his stalker, John must find a way to protect himself and his loved ones. Who is the killer? Is John’s life in danger?
An absorbing murder mystery filled with romance, suspense, and intrigue, Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge is a cozy book to spend your evening with. Author Elizabeth Upton spins an intricate yarn full of dramatic moments that have you eagerly turning the pages in anticipation of what will happen next. The narrative will especially appeal to fans of telenovelas or soap operas, with the constant twists and turns of the plot leaving you asking for more. The characters have defining traits that pop out of the pages. John is one of the more fleshed-out characters, and his romance with Sara is one of my favorite aspects of the book.
If you enjoy romance and crime stories, this is what you’re looking for.
##### ##### #####
A Crime Story
A Mother-Daughter Cozy Mystery ~ By Richard E. LaMotte
A Crime Story: A Mother-Daughter Cozy Mystery by Richard E. LaMotte is a light-hearted thriller about a mother and daughter...
Reviewed by Antoinette Wessels for Readers’ Favorite
A Crime Story: A Mother-Daughter Cozy Mystery by Richard E. LaMotte is a light-hearted thriller about a mother and daughter who get stuck in a small town with a murder mystery on their way to Hollywood. Clair and Mindy decide to start investigating the unsolved murder of Samantha and write a crime story to pass the time.
They soon realize that everyone in town has their theory about what happened, but Mindy is set on uncovering the truth in memory of Samantha. It doesn’t take long for their snooping to start annoying the wrong people, and accidents start to happen. Will they be able to answer the unanswered questions, or will Samantha’s murder always stay a small-town mystery?
Richard E. LaMotte wrote A Crime Story in a way that will have anyone, even readers who don’t enjoy thrillers or mysteries, loving this light-hearted mystery immensely. It is not overly elaborate, is easy to read, and even easier to enjoy. The theme which stuck with me as a reader was the relationship between a mother and a daughter who needed to find each other again.
They grew as characters while they were investigating the murder, and through this, they could also reconnect. The pace of the story is gentle. I enjoyed the fact that the book wasn’t more than two hundred pages, but it never felt rushed.
I would recommend this book to any reader who wants a quick, enjoyable fall read with adventure and a little suspense.
#### #### #### ####
Dark Secrets of the Bayou
By Multi award-winning writer Kim Carter
Dark Secrets of the Bayou is a work of fiction in the murder mystery genre. It is aimed at all ages and was penned by author Kim Carter.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Dark Secrets of the Bayou is a work of fiction in the murder mystery genre. It is aimed at all ages and was penned by author Kim Carter. The novel follows the homecoming of attorney Tink Mabry as she visits Kane, Louisiana, with a co-worker to deal with the dilapidated homestead she’s just inherited from a family she barely knows. No sooner has she arrived than she ends up as the prime suspect in multiple murder investigations. As Tink explores her new surroundings, she realizes that the family secrets that plague her inheritance may hold the key to exonerating her, though some things are best left in the past.
Author Kim Carter has crafted a sinister and spine-tingling work of dark mystery fiction, an ideal read for a cold winter’s night. This story combined many elements and genres that I adore, from the historical references to the 19th century and the creepy, dark expanses of the Louisiana bayous, to chilling, horror, and family drama elements. The complex plot interweaves all of these factors seamlessly, delivering a smoothly-told narrative with sharp, exciting deviations in the mystery plot.
It certainly kept me guessing until the end, and the close narration of Tink and her emotional journey really got me rooting for her (and fearing for her) as the story developed. Overall, I would highly recommend Dark Secrets of the Bayou for those who enjoy a dark mystery with lots of horror elements and a spellbinding atmosphere. This was a worthy introduction to an author worth reading again and again.
##### ##### #### ####
Daily Gratitude Reflections Volume 2
365 Inspirational Guides to Grateful Living
By Deborah L. Perdue
Daily Gratitude Reflections Volume 2: 365 Inspirational Guides to Grateful Living is a work of non-fiction in the new age, spiritual, and self-help subgenres.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Daily Gratitude Reflections Volume 2: 365 Inspirational Guides to Grateful Living is a work of non-fiction in the new age, spiritual, and self-help subgenres. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Deborah L. Perdue. The book lays out a year-long series of prompts to allow readers to reflect on their lives and feel gratitude for their positive things. This shift in focus away from negativity is shown to have a transformative effect on how a person perceives their life and leads to a more positive outlook and acceptance of happiness.
It often feels that cynicism is the dominating force in this world, and it is a negative mindset that seeps its way into every aspect of our lives if we give it the opportunity. Leading the charge against this force are writers like author Deborah L. Perdue who recognize that the daily practice of gratitude can push back against negativity and the adverse effect that it has on our lives. Perdue, in particular, is an outstanding practitioner in this field, demonstrated by this essential book which helps readers to take daily, manageable steps toward a lifelong change for the better.
The daily exercises on reflection and positivity are easy to pick up but provoke deep thought and contemplation about our lives, the perfect exercise for encouraging gratitude in our lives. Overall, Daily Gratitude Reflections Volume 2 follows its predecessor in giving readers an invaluable toolset for pushing their mindset in the right direction and making long-lasting changes for the better in their lives.
I highly recommend it!
#### #### #### ####
The Song of Ramon and Maria
An Epic Historical Novel of Love and Revenge
By Richard E. LaMotte
The Song of Ramon and Maria by Richard E. LaMotte is an epic romance novel set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution at the dawn of the 20th century.
Another New Release and 5-Stars for Richard!
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
The Song of Ramon and Maria by Richard E. LaMotte is an epic romance novel set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution at the dawn of the 20th century. Despite misgivings from her family, Maria Duranthon marries the love of her life, Ramon, an Indian cowboy, in the small Mexican town of Rosario. But when Ramon is drafted into the Mexican army, and Maria’s father is unexpectedly murdered, the two lovers will diverge toward very different paths in life.
After suffering a harrowing assault by a despicable captain, Maria leaves for Mexico City, realizing, to her horror, that she is pregnant. She is forced to beg on the streets until she finds refuge in the bordello of a European madame. Meanwhile, Ramon joins the revolutionaries while being hunted by the federal forces. Can Ramon and Maria find their way back to each other?
A sprawling tale of love, loss, and betrayal, The Song of Ramon and Maria never lets you take your eyes off the pages. Author Richard E. LaMotte weaves an epic yarn filled with romance, tragedy, and political intrigue that keeps you on your toes with a string of twists and turns you never see coming. This story is full of heartbreak, where our heroes sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
Ramon and Maria are two star-crossed lovers who find themselves separated from each other due to extraordinary circumstances they have no control over. If you love to read epic romance sagas or historical fiction, I can’t recommend The Song of Ramon and Maria enough.
#### #### #### ####
More Books To Check Out on Amazon!
Sister Mysteries
by Claudia Ricci
Seeing Red
by Claudia Ricci
Cat Lyon's Reading Den For Authors & Readers 