Book Reviews

I read a lot. Yes, I have a full time job, am married and have a cat and a dog. But I love to read. Therefore I will blog.

I think one of life’s greatest enjoyments, behind travel, great food, and well, sex, is finding someone who has read the same book you have and discussing it.  I love that thrill when you can argue about a books strengths and weaknesses, plot points and characters.  Or when you can truly recommend a great book.

I hope you will read my reviews and something I say will spark a note with you, and you’ll make a comment so I can have that discussion with you!

My calendar is typically full but I do like to read and review indie authors in the romance and fantasy categories. Please do NOT reach out to me if you have written a horror novel. I have an overactive imagination and won’t subject myself to nightmares. Kidding not kidding! So if you have a great sounding book you may make my calendar!

Here are my guidelines:

I try to only read books that I want to read.  If your synopsis doesn’t appeal to me, it would be better for you if I take a pass. 

My favorite genre’s are romance, fantasy, ya, paranormal, fiction, historical, and every once in awhile I’ll throw in a mystery.  

I will write an impartial and honest review.  I prefer to only write a review for a book I consider three stars or above. 

I will let you know if your book did not appeal to me, and will not write a review for my blog.  However, I will post a brief note on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

25 thoughts on “Book Reviews”

  1. Hi Robert! I do accept requests. If you’d like to send me the synopsis I’ll let you know if it’s a book I’d like to read. I try to genres i’m interested in, so that I can give an honest review. My feeling is that if I or any reviewer, really, doesn’t like that genre, they are more apt to not like the book. I usually pick, romance, fantasy, paranormal, women’s fiction, and mysteries.
    Thanks!
    Deborah

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  3. Hi Paul, thanks so much for reaching out! I have been setting aside emails and requests for book reviews while I catch up on my commitments as well as read a few novels I have on my own bookshelves. Every once in awhile I go through old emails and notes and pick out a book. I’ll keep your request on file. Thanks for wanting to share your work with me!
    Deborah

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  4. I grew up in the Bronx in the 60’s as well, and just reading your prologue brought a flood of memories to heart. I purchased your book i and will get to reading it as soon as I can. I always leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and, if there’s another platform you use, let me know.

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  8. mquilman's avatar mquilman

    My name is M. Quilman. I’d like to tell you about my novel: IN SIX DAYS | A Tale of Family, Religion, and Sabotage, a 90,000-word crime thriller. The book deftly weaves the rage of youth, society’s treatment of the planet, and open interpretation of the bible into a powerful story of conspiracy and adventure.

    Zoe Becker is inside federal prison prepping for a nationally-televised interview. The teenager from Manhattan is accused of masterminding the largest string of eco-terrorism in the country’s history. A throng of supporters outside the prison scream for her release. Others, for her to be locked up for life.

    Months earlier, a wave of attacks ripples across the country. The only clue left at the raid sites: a King of Clubs playing card. As the sabotage grows in size and significance, the country speculates about the message and messenger with rage and veneration.

    When the authorities close in, Zoe finds herself on the run, protecting her loved ones and the dark secret she holds. For the FBI, they must safeguard the country at all costs. The next attack is IN SIX DAYS.

    IN SIX DAYS is available at Cracked Shutter Publishing, Amazon, and other E-book retailers.

    I’d be honored if you would review my book.

    Thanks,
    M.

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    1. HI. Thank you so much for the invitation to read your book. The synopsis does sound interesting. However, I have a backlog and am unable to commit to reading it at this time. I appreciate you reaching out. Deb

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  9. Hi Deborah,

    I see that you’ve been quite busy reading and reviewing, and if you have a chance I would like to see if I can interest you in reviewing my little over 30,000 word suspense/thriller/paranormal novella called “The Initiate”. It’s Book One in my “Dark Earth” series. It’s available on Amazon and I can send you either a hard or soft copy.

    Regardless of whether or not you can take it on, I just want to say that as a writer, people like you are very appreciated and thank you so much whatever you decide.

    So saying, here’s the synopsis.

    Thanks again,

    Sylvester

    The end of man draws near. The initiate has been chosen…the convocation has begun!

    It’s an ominous warning given to Peter Gentrick in one of the nightmares that have been plaguing him following an unexplainable memory loss.

    Seemingly a world away, and following the death of her childhood friend, Faye Morgan begins to glimpse something out of the corner of her eye. After another tragedy, her friend James Mason starts seeing the same thing. Now with the help of psychiatrist Dr. Dillington, he embarks on a race to save himself and to keep a horror beyond imagining from being released upon the world.

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  10. cmiller5135's avatar cmiller5135

    Dear Editor,

    My name is Chad Miller and I’m an author. My new book The Void was traditionally published by Hear Our Voice LLC, and I’d be honored if you would consider it for review. The Void is a collection of 15 creepy stories that range from dark fiction to humor. Here are some blurbs of my tales:

    We see an AI life form trapped in his computer cage, as the world has died around him. He’s in despair, his only eyes staring at his decaying creator as he’s forced to face the reality of eternal isolation.

    Meet Ana. On the eve of her first day, living away from home in a college dormitory, she slumbers off to sleep on her first night. Ana receives a mysterious night visitor as he pulls up a chair to her bed, so that he can tell his tale. Ana’s father recounts the story of how he was stolen away from her life in a Nazi concentration camp.

    And then poor Jared. He’s a pharmacist, overworked, never receiving a break. His overfilled bladder is ready to burst, but the demands of his job won’t allow even a minute for a bathroom run. See Jared’s horror in excruciating detail when his biggest nightmare comes true when he finally reaches the toilet.

    A full link to The Void on Amazon and my full list of publications can be found on chadmiller-author.com

    Thank you for your consideration.

    Chad Miller
    cmiller5135@yahoo.com

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  11. nattykbrown's avatar nattykbrown

    Hi, thanks for chatting with me on bluesky! The synopsis below (it’s actually my blurb but I can send the full synopsis if you prefer) is for a YA fantasy, 65k words.

    When seventeen-year-old Anna is thrown into the Unity Experiment—an ongoing team building exercise to promote unity between warring species—she begins to unwittingly retrace the fatal steps her father took a decade ago. But she quickly discovers she is the only one within the experiment able to communicate with the spirit world. 

    This revelation ignites her curiosity and her focus shifts from surviving the experiment to finding out the truth behind her father’s death. But this power comes at a cost, and she becomes the prime target of the other teams who covet this link wanting answers from their dead.  

    If Anna can master this unusual skill, she’ll be able to bring together species who currently have nothing but contempt for each other. Of course, she’ll have to avoid being killed by everything and everyone around her. If she can’t, she’ll never have the chance to unveil the secrets the human government never wanted unearthed in the first place. Too bad they didn’t count on a 17-year-old who can hear the dead to shake things up. 

    Best wishes, Natalie

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    1. Looks interesting! Depending upon when you need the review I’ll take a look. I’ll be honest, if it doesn’t grab me right away I may not review. If you’re ok with that please go ahead and send me a link! Thanks!

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      1. nattykbrown's avatar nattykbrown

        Yes no problem, I understand that voice and pacing is different for everyone and you’ll know pretty quickly if you like it or not. That’s the industry!

        Where should I send the link for the e-book? Via email? (and if so what’s the best one)?

        There’s no date for a review, this is my first novel release and I’m grateful of any honest feedback 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  12. RobinR's avatar RobinR

    I obtained your contact through Reedsy.I realize that you are busy. My latest novel has just been [self] published on Amazon-Vaccine: A Terrorism Thriller and has already received several favourable independent reviews.The subject of this terrorism/medical thriller involves the development and release of a pathogen used by the defeated to overcome the conqueror. The novel is based on historical fact with a solid medical basis [I am a trained physician].Currently the novel is only available in paperback on Amazon and if you are amenable to carrying out a review, I would be happy to send you a free PDF or ePub of the novel itself.Below is the Amazon [US] link as well as a QR code for quick access to the Amazon site. The novel is also available at Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia.https://www.amazon.com/dp/0987772058

    Thanks very much for your consideration.Robin R.

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  13. Gerri Leen's avatar Gerri Leen

    Hello, Deborah,

    I am not sure if genetically modified horse fiction fits into your fantasy/SF bucket, but I don’t want to self-reject. Bluegrass Dreams Aren’t for Free is coming out on the 28th of April, but I do not need the review before that time. I tend to write speculative poetry and fiction that skews dark, but not when it comes to two of my favorite things: horses and horse racing (the good side) and one of my least favorite things: horse racing (the bad side) that I’d like to work on fixing (if only on the page). Happy to provide you with link or digital arc if the synopsis appeals. Thank you for considering.

    —

    Bluegrass Dreams Aren’t for Free Synopsis

    These race horses can talk, race riderless, and manage their own careers thanks to genetic manipulation in the past intended to make  Thoroughbreds hardier. But living free doesn’t mean living without  problems of the career and family (both blood and found) kind. Nor does  it mean they are free from having to interact with humans. 

    In  this mosaic novel, stories of two very different stallions and their friends and families (both four legged and two) interconnect to explore how these horses deal with career decisions, love, family, retirement,  illness, and having to find alternate paths when flat racing does not  prove a profitable or fulfilling life choice.

    Not all roads lead  to the winner’s circle, and even when they do, winning doesn’t always equal happiness without someone to share it with.

    The stories  explore themes such as friendships, loyalty, parents (both present and  absent), resilience, taking risks, love, the place of humans in this new  racing world, rivals working together to help a friend, tragedy and  counseling, and many others.

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  14. Hi Deborah,

    My name is Inna, and I’m an indie author. My book Chasing Phantoms is about to be released, and I’d love to submit it for your review.

    It’s a Metaphysical Romance and the first book in a series.

    Here’s the blurb:
    The healer Vera Simkin knew her life was about to change already after what happened in the forest. After all, not every day does one have a fifth-kind encounter with extraterrestrial entities.
    It was another encounter, though, that turned Vera’s world upside down.
    Adrian Gordon.
    Her high school crush. The most impossible love of her life. He was looking for a flatmate; she was looking into his blue eyes, forgetting everything around her.
    “Fate,” Vera told herself. What else could have brought her to his door at this late hour? Unfortunately, Kinneret, Adrian’s stunning girlfriend, couldn’t agree less.
    Torn between her extraterrestrial friendships and her earthly love triangles, between past lives and future mistakes, Vera is forced to make impossible decisions—ultimately choosing between her own chance at happiness and the happiness of the man she loves.

    Thank you so much for your time and consideration!

    Warmly,
    Inna Tamir
    innatamir@gmail.com

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  15. Unknown's avatar Stamatia Karampini

    Arc offer: upmarket, contemporary women’s fiction—Ariadne & Dionysus

    Dear Deborah,

    I’m reaching out to offer an advance review copy of my upcoming novel, Ariadne & Dionysus—a 106,000-word literary work for readers who appreciate psychological, character-driven narratives, complex human relationships, and distinctive female voices.

    Blurb:

     Haunted by her past, Ariadne is a former orchestra conductor who seeks refuge in a foreign land. But her plans for a quiet exile are upended by a mysterious figure who forces her to confront her deepest fears. Set against Scandinavian backdrops and threaded with Greek mythology—mirroring the protagonist’s own story of displacement, endurance, and transformation—Ariadne & Dionysus opens a rare window into the hidden machinery of the classical music world. At its heart lies an unsettling bond between two damaged strangers.

    This is a layered and deliberately structured novel—one that reveals itself fully to those who give it the space to unfold.

    If this resonates with you, I’d be delighted to send a digital copy for your review.

    The official publication date is November 1, 2025.

    Thank you for considering,

    Best regards,

    E

    goodreads.com/book/show/236910925-ariadne-dionysus

    Elysanthe(at)gmail.com

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