#BookReview of The Changed Man (The Olympic Peninsula Series, Book 4)

The Changed Man (The Olympic Peninsula Series, Book 4)

By: Cat Treadgold

Publication Date: February 25, 2024

ISBN: 979-8987736340

Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles

Review Date: April 26, 2024

Cat Treadgold, Author

Having read all of the books in The Olympic Peninsula series, I can say that author Cat Treadgold has outdone herself with The Changed Man. This series is getting better with each new story and I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the romance genre or simply a fan of great writing.

In The Changed Man, readers once again get to meet Jake O’Connell, the twin brother of Joe who was prominent in the first book in the series, The Silent Woodsman. Jake shows up in the town of Port Townsend for his brother David’s wedding. Having not seen his family in a number of years, it is a shock when he knocks on the front door. He offers everyone in the family yet another shock when he announces that he has chosen to step down from running the family business. Jake has devoted his life to running the business, while his brothers and sister have stepped away from this career and followed their own passions. Jake is ready to change his life now as well and continue on his secret career as a best-selling author of spy novels.

At the wedding, he meets Chiara, a quiet and plain Italian woman who came to the United States as a student and became a social worker. In the States, she met and married Arnold. Having left her job behind, she took over the care of David’s son Lorenzo and tried to convince herself and those around her that she was happy and that she had a good marriage. The first time she sees Jake, she is completely captivated, but there is still the matter of her husband. Will they be able to make things work, and will Jake’s family, especially his mother, accept his decisions and welcome him back into the family fold?

The Changed Man is an excellent story that reminds readers it is never too late to change your life and follow your dreams. The story is very well-written and the characters, both familiar faces and new ones, are extremely well-developed and keep things interesting throughout every moment of the story. Jake is one of the best characters that the author has given us. Having appeared in the first book, he was a person who all would love to hate. In this story we get to see the real Jake and watch as he literally transforms in front of our eyes into a man who you can care about and route for. Chiara is a sweet, mouse-like character in the beginning but, as she spends more time with the O’Connell’s and with Jake while her husband is not around, we witness the changes in her and can understand why Jake falls for her so quickly.

Cat Treadgold’s storytelling is so apparent in this book. The writing is descriptive and places the reader right there in the middle of the action. She has a talent for being able to keep all of the characters and subplots (and there are a lot of them in this story) running along like a perfectly oiled machine. This lets the reader care for everyone and understand everything that is going on as the story builds and ends.

Sometimes, the books in a series get a little less interesting with each new story, but this series does exactly the opposite, with every new story getting better than the last. The Changed Man is a story of love, transforming, healing, and family, with just a bit of the paranormal included to make it interesting. With such a wonderful cast of characters, I have no doubt that Cat Treadgold has another success on her hands!

Quill says: The Changed Man is an excellent addition to a wonderful series.

For more information on The Changed Man (The Olympic Peninsula Series, Book 4), please visit the author's website at: https://cattreadgold.com/

#Bookreview o f Marvin's Little Mermaid by Deborah Stevenson

Marvin's Little Mermaid

By: Deborah Stevenson

Illustrated by: Stella Maris

Publisher: Notable Kids Publishing

Publication Date: April 16, 2024

ISBN: 978-1735853567

Reviewed by: Holly Connors

Review Date: April 23, 2024

Notable Kids Publishing

A lonely young boy wishes for a friend, and that dream comes true in an amazing way in award-winning author Deborah Stevenson's newest children's book, Marvin's Little Mermaid.

Marvin has moved to a new town, and he really, really misses all his friends back in his old town. It's just no fun doing things all by himself. And that's why he almost didn't go to the carnival. But he did go, and once there, he wasn't sure it was a good idea. Ho-hum...it just wasn't much fun without his friends. As Marvin walked around the carnival, he saw a sign - "The Great Magnifico - Know Your Fortune" above a fortune teller machine. The young boy slipped a dollar in the slot. The machine made some noises, and out came Marvin's fortune.

As Marvin walked away, he read his fortune. "Your Wish Will Come True." Marvin played along and made a wish...he closed his eyes...waited...and nothing. That was a waste of a dollar. Poor Marvin was even more depressed as he continued to wander around the carnival. He went on some rides and even walked through Hannibal's House of Mirrors, but nothing was fun without friends. That was until he tried his luck at winning a goldfish.

For a dollar, Marvin received three balls. Ball one...missed. Ball two...missed. Ball three...missed...but actually, it hit a girl's forehead...and then plopped into a glass bowl filled with water and Marvin's new goldfish! But when he was handed the bag with the goldfish, the fish talked to him! Marvin stared in disbelief. It wasn't a goldfish but a mermaid! "Greetings. I'm Stella," said Marvin's new best friend.

The next few days were filled with great fun for Marvin and Stella. They shared gummy bears, played Go Fish, and when Stella mentioned she missed her home, Marvin turned the bathtub into Stella's new home away from home. The friends continued to have fun, but Stella still missed her home. What could Marvin do to help his new best friend?

I have read/reviewed several of Deborah Stevenson's children's books and have thoroughly enjoyed every one. Like all of Stevenson's books, Marvin's Little Mermaid is a very unique and creative story that also teaches a life lesson. In order to help Stella, Marvin makes a very difficult decision that puts the needs of others above his own. But his sacrifice is rewarded by a surprise ending that readers will love. Many readers will also see themselves in Marvin - how many children feel alone at one time or another? The author and illustrator have collaborated on several other books and it shows here as the drawings perfectly compliment the story. Even the end pages, decorated with goldfish, seashells, and gummy bears, show the attention to detail that these two creative artists have brought to each of their projects.

Quill says: Marvin's Little Mermaid is a delightful book that young readers will love, especially those who have found themselves alone at one time or another (and isn't that most children?).

For more information on Marvin's Little Mermaid, please visit the publisher's website at: http://www.notablekidspublishing.com/

#AuthorInterview with Behcet Kaya, author of Uncanny Alliance

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Tripti Kandari is talking with Behcet Kaya, author of Uncanny Alliance: A Jack Ludefance Novel.

FQ: There are foreshadowing elements throughout the narrative, such as the Bitcoin intrigue at the beginning and the characters' suspicious behaviors. Was it difficult to strike a balance between foreshadowing and maintaining suspense? Was there a concern of disclosing too much too soon?

KAYA: Foreshadowing, which has been used in all forms of literature for centuries, is a balancing act for all writers. Too much and the story is given away too soon. Too little and there is not enough tension for the reader to keep reading. In writing a PI series it is an invaluable tool. PI’s are by nature introspective and intuitive. They must be in order to solve a case which is their ultimate goal. In writing this series I imagine myself as Jack Ludefance. I must think like him, feel like him, act like him. Because I write from the heart, there are times when I have given away too much too soon and my editor will critique the scene and help me pull back on the narrative. That is why every writer must have an editor he or she trusts to pull back when necessary.

FQ: The murky world of cryptocurrency plays a crucial role in the storyline. What inspired you to incorporate cryptocurrencies into the plot?

KAYA: Pick up any newspaper, or listen to any news station and there are horror stories of people being scammed out of thousands, millions, even billions of dollars. It is the latest get rich quick scheme gone bad. I actually foreshadowed cryptocurrency in Appellate Judge.

FQ: Can you describe your ideal writing environment? What time of day or specific place do you find most conducive to creativity or writing?

KAYA: All my writing is done in Starbucks. There are three all in close proximity to me and I alternate as to which one I go to. I like being surrounded by people as I lose myself in my writing with a Grande Americano sitting next to my laptop. A true story: I had started talking with a gentleman about my writing at one of the Starbucks he frequents daily. The next week when I went to that particular Starbucks, he came to me with a copy of my first novel, Voice of Conscience, for me to sign. After I left I found out he’d told the staff he knew a writer. Because the cover of the book is quite intriguing, they asked what kind of book it was. He explained he had just started reading it but that the author comes in quite frequently. The next time I went to that Starbucks he was there and told the staff, “Here’s the writer!” One of barristers said, “Oh, that’s Ben! We know him, but we didn’t know he was a writer!” From that time on the staff have started reading my novels.

FQ: Rudy is an engaging character with a distinct skill set in hacking and technology. How do you see this character progressing in future books?

Author Behcet Kaya

KAYA: Rudy was introduced in Body in the Woods, the second novel in the series. An unusual young man, his character is being developed and deepened in each successive novel. Finding out Rudy was an orphan was a pivotal moment in the relationship between them. Because Rudy’s talents are invaluable and an integral part of solving the crimes Jack finds himself taking on increasing responsibilities for his well being and stepping in as a father figure.

FQ: Speaking of Rudy, are you ever concerned that Rudy's crucial involvement in investigations may overshadow Jack's role as primary investigator?

KAYA: I doubt very much Rudy would ever overshadow Ludefance. Remember NCIS? Jethro is the boss and has many skilled computer nerds working for him. Rudy’s hacking skills are unique and Jack’s intuitive skills are unique. Together they make a team.

FQ: Do you have an outline for the whole Jack Ludefance PI series in advance? Or do you let each book develop spontaneously while adhering to an overarching narrative framework?

KAYA: No, I don’t have an outline for the entire series. Each novel in the series is conceived individually through moments of inspiration from various sources. Once the inspiration takes hold, I begin developing the story in my head before I even start typing the first chapter. I know the beginning, the middle and the end with that I begin adding all the details. As I finish each chapter my wife will do a first edit over which we discuss what needs adding or deleting.

FQ: Kingsley University is more than simply a setting in the novel; it's almost a character. Can you discuss any real-life institutions or experiences that influenced its creation?

KAYA: The first paragraph in the novel describes Kingsley University as I envisioned it in my mind. I had been itching to write a murder mystery involving academic circles. By using the location of a fictitious private university, I had more leeway in describing the physical characteristics as they pertained to the development of the storyline.

FQ: Your bio indicates your acting experience. What connections do you find between playing a character on stage or film and portraying a character in writing?

KAYA: To tell you the truth, when I analyze a character in a script that I have been given to play, I compare the character with my own, incorporating myself into and becoming that character. I use the same technique when developing the characters in my novels.

FQ: Lastly, can you tell us about your journey to become a published author? What advice do you have for budding authors navigating the publication industry?

KAYA: If you have an itch to write, if there is story percolating in your head, listen to your heart and write. Just write. All the rest will follow.

#Bookreview of Uncanny Alliance: A Jack Ludefance Novel

Uncanny Alliance: A Jack Ludefance Novel

By: Behcet Kaya

Publication Date: April 14, 2024

ISBN: 979-8322440970

Reviewed by: Tripti Kandari

An installment in the Jack Ludefance PI series, Uncanny Alliance, unfolds in the prestigious academic halls of Kingsley University – a murder mystery with each twist raising the stake, crafting a maze of intrigue where truth becomes ever more elusive.

A shocking murder has devastated the sacred walls of Kingsley University. A student discovers the body of controversial Professor Zambear in a distressing state, and lo and behold, the likely perpetrator is his wife, Stella Zambear. James Kingsley calls on the savvy private investigator Jack Ludefance to clear his daughter's name in the murder. In light of Stella's disclosure of her chaotic marriage and the darker aspects of their relationship, complexities lure Jack into a web of suspicion. Yet, little does he know the extent of deception and intrigue that await him as he lunges further into the case...

As Jack delves deeper into the investigation, he unravels the growing mystery of Professor Zambear's contentious cryptocurrency involvements. To add to the chaos, there is another murder right on the college grounds. Khole Rivers, extensively involved in the realm of cryptocurrency and likely holding crucial clues in the case, is found murdered on university premises. River's extensive knowledge of Zambear's covert crypto dealings, coupled with his implication of Zambear in a theft scheme, hints at the tragic circumstances that led to his untimely demise. With this grim speculation, it is clear that a treacherous environment fraught with peril confronts Jack in his pursuit of truth and justice.

Jack soon uncovers additional suspects, each harboring their motives and secrets. Zoey Harrington, a university police officer present on the night of Zambear's murder, enters the fray with a composed demeanor that masks a past clouded by aliases and mysterious behavior. Zoey's connection with Aaliyah Konuku, a key figure intertwined with Zambear in the past, offers a potential breakthrough in unraveling the mystery. However, Aaliyah's disappearance suggests a deliberate absence, adding another layer of intrigue to the puzzle. Another suspect emerges with Professor Maria Cornell, a complex character with a military background and suspected ties to criminal activity. Despite Zambear and Cornell's professional façade, their history reveals a turbulent relationship beneath the surface.

With each step Jack takes to unravel riddles at Kingsley University, he gets closer to the threat lurking in the shadows, apparent when a Russian assassin attempts to silence him and prevent further investigation. Jack and his right-hand man, Rudy, engage in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Jack must tread carefully, as the truth may prove more elusive and dangerous than anticipated.

A contrast between appearance and truth emerges throughout Uncanny Alliance. The site of the murders, Kinglsey University, exemplifies this dichotomy since it provides the illusion of intellectual distinction while concealing scandalous truths. Also, as the murder investigation progresses, Zambear, who was formerly seen as a respectful professor, emerges as a dark character involved in illicit crypto transactions and shady relationships with students. The same is true for his wife Stella, who initially appears to be a grieving widow before later revealing herself to have had a stormy marital life, implying that her external demeanor may conceal her inner thoughts. This appearance vs. reality theme repeats throughout the story, as the suspects often show themselves one way while camouflaging their true sentiments. The theme depicts complicated human conduct in a world where outer appearances can conceal deeper truths and actual intents.

The author uses rich images and evocative language to create a dramatic atmosphere, transporting readers from the hidden and distinguished walls of Kingsley University to the remote landscapes of Alabama. With twisted and surprising twists, the dense web of characters and plot may compel readers to engage thoroughly with the thriller. Also, some narrative sections may linger, allowing readers to take up the atmosphere and nuances. Readers of the Jack Ludefance PI series will also enjoy the presence of familiar individuals, which ensures comfortable familiarity in the unfolding narrative.

Quill says: Uncanny Alliance tracks PI Jack Ludefance as he navigates the murky depths of cryptocurrency underground and unravels the thread of a chilling murder mystery.

For more information on Uncanny Alliance: A Jack Ludefance Novel, please visit the author's website at: https://behcetkayanovels.com/

Check out "Scoundrels: The League of Maritime Adventures"

 

#Bookreview of 10-Minute Chair Exercises for Seniors

10-Minute Chair Exercises for Seniors: Simple Illustrated Workout Guide for Core Strength, Balance, and Flexibility to Prevent Injuries and Lose Weight in Under 30 Days

Publisher: PrimeLife Wellness

Publication Date: April 2, 2024

ISBN: 978-1915710598

Reviewed by: Douglas C. MacLeod, Jr.

Review Date: April 15, 2024

10- Minute Chair Exercises for Seniors, published by PrimeLife Wellness and written by lead author, James Evans, is an informative follow-up to 10-Minute Balance Exercises for Seniors, published earlier this year (2024). This newest text, however, is more about keeping our elderly population limber to ensure they stay fit during their golden years, and to do so in a manageable and economically viable way. As we age, so does our body and, as Evans astutely points out, much of the body’s breakdown happens because of a lack of exercise. Evans writes that “your body adapts to whatever demands you regularly place on it,” (pg. 5) so if we do not work at keeping active, an inevitable dwindling of muscle mass will occur. Thus, these chair exercises are meant to help readers build back muscle without the “purchase [of] expensive gym equipment or [a commitment] to regularly commuting to a public gym.” (pg. 6)

The introduction to 10-Minute Chair Exercises for Seniors sets the pace for the rest of the work, which is well-organized and easy to read. There is a positive and persuasive tone to Evans’s content, which came about with the help of multiple professional fitness experts and has simple instructions to ensure the person performing the exercise does not get hurt. Evans spends time on the human body’s adaptability, even if that body is not in shape; on what chair exercises are; and on why chair exercises should be performed. He also writes about PrimeLife Wellness, which provides readers with some insight into what the company’s goal is: for the elderly to do five-to-ten minutes of exercise a day to prolong life, help prevent heart attacks and unexpected falls, and “increase your balance, coordination, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and muscular power.” (pg.

Evans establishes that the exercising elderly must prepare their bodies and equipment before they begin their regiment. First, they need a stationary, sturdy chair that is able to take the weight of the person exercising. Then the reader is given further details about the type of chair as well as other elements that might provide assistance. Evans et al. show in their first chapters they are strong critical thinkers, presenting multiple scenarios that may lead to issues that need immediate problem-solving. They understand mistakes can seriously hurt, maim, and kill those seeking their help. For obvious reasons, the writers take every possible precaution before they delve into the exercises for comfort and safety, and even writing about the exercise environment, which should be free of tripping hazards; close by to water sources and healthy snacks; and, accessible to breathable clothing and sensible footwear. In providing extensive instructions, which include breathing exercises, warm-up and cool-down regiments, and body awareness conversations, it shows PrimeLife Wellness cares for their constituency.

The next several chapters are devoted to cardio and muscular endurance; working the core, and lower/upper body; and, stretching and flexibility. Most fascinating about these chapters is the number of exercises Evans et al. presents to their readers. Having such a vast variety allows for those doing those exercises an opportunity to switch the plan whenever they wish, which in turn takes away any possible issues surrounding redundancy and complacency. Similar to 10-Minute Balance Exercises for Seniors, 10-Minute Chair Exercises for Seniors has limpid instructions and simple drawings to help those who may not stay focused, or those who may need a visual to better understand; and, a QR code and video are also available, making these exercises accessible to those who are either allistic or neurodiverse. Evans et al. made this book inclusive by including multiple forms of learning within the text, whether tech savvy or not.

By the end of the text, Evans et al. lays out a firm foundation for their aged readers. They provide the ten-minute plan, a weekly plan, and opportunities within the plan to modify. Some of these plans are at the beginning stages of the reader’s fitness journey while other plans are devoted to the more adventurous; but they leave the plan up to the people doing the exercises. They have autonomy and, ultimately, PrimeLife Wellness wants the elderly to feel more accomplished. The company recognizes how essential our elderly are. The aged should be healthy, hearty, and happy citizens, who live with the knowledge that they can be around for their families and friends, without pain and discomfort.

Quill says: 10-Minute Chair Exercises for Seniors is a strong pseudo-sequel that is more focused than its predecessor, but equally as effective in its execution.

For more information on 10-Minute Chair Exercises for Seniors: Simple Illustrated Workout Guide for Core Strength, Balance, and Flexibility to Prevent Injuries and Lose Weight in Under 30 Days, please visit the publisher's website at: https://primelife-wellness.com/

#Bookreview of What Lies Buried by Leslie Iain

What Lies Buried

By: Leslie Kain

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: May 14, 2024

ISBN: 979-8891321816

Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford

What Lies Buried by Leslie Kain is a fascinating psychological thriller with rich character development and a riveting storyline. It takes the reader on a journey of understanding the crippling effects of C-PTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) while unpacking the complexities of this egregious disorder.

In the beginning, life was a storybook fairytale for Gavin and Katie DiMasi and their sweet baby girl, Maggie. They lived on the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Kauai where the Ono Kulok restaurant was their pride and joy. Gavin was its accomplished chef and quite a successful owner...and just like that, life was about to deliver some crushing blows. The DiMasi’s perfect family was on the precipice of disaster and derailment. Gavin was struggling. He was the sole remaining member alive from his extended family—his father was shot (taking a bullet that was meant for his brother, Devin). His mother is dead (a tragic fall down the stairs in his childhood home). Then there was the death of his identical twin brother Devin (who hanged himself, only to be discovered by Gavin). The death (and discovery) of his brother throws Gavin into an altered world of desperation and denial. He doesn’t trust...anyone. He has night tremors and spirals into fits of anger followed by crippling paranoia. His lifelong curse of guilt over his inability to save his twin from self-destruction consumes him. If not for the strength and support of his loving wife, Katie, and his perfect princess of a daughter, Maggie, he may have already begun his departure from sanity on a direct course to his bottomless pit of no return. However, how much longer can Katie be the strength to bring Gavin back?

As Gavin stares into the imaginary abyss of his thoughts in his perfect home, Katie brings him back to earth when she hands him an envelope. It’s from Levine, McDermott & Lombardi, LLP. Lombardi was his father’s attorney. Reluctant to read its contents, Katie explains she already has. It would seem they are reaching out to have Gavin return to his childhood Boston home to settle his father’s estate. To ease the tension, Katie encourages Gavin to think about taking his brother’s ashes back to Boston to put him to final rest with his deceased parents. Gavin is angry and thinks back to his brother’s death... "Now the weight of his brother’s suicide…seeing him hanging there...in front of the taunting message he left...comes crashing down on him all over again, after he thought he’d finally put it behind him..." (pg. 6) It angered him when he thought about the countless times his father berated him; often reminding him of his inability to succeed at anything. Yet, Devin was the one always getting into trouble. Gavin was the honors student, the track and field star, and the Culinary Institute graduate. It was time—time to face his final reckoning in hopes that putting this last tragedy behind him would heal him. What Katie and Gavin couldn’t possibly know was this would be the crossroads; neither of them could have ever anticipated the actual outcome.

Leslie Kain writes with impressive conviction and soul in a phenomenal way. It is clear from the onset of this book that she wanted to deliver a memory. Her research on the crippling disorder of C-PTSD is fascinating, given the connectivity between her research and how the knowledge was used toward character development. Katie DiMasi (Gavin’s wife) is a pinnacle of strength and is portrayed as the woman who will stand by her man no matter what. Gavin is broken in every aspect of the definition of broken, and the debilitating effects that surface due to his sever C-PTSD are moments that grasp the reader and take him/her on a journey of trepidation toward what could possibly happen next? Is Gavin happy today? Angry? Paranoid? Hopeless? With the cacophony of ups and downs throughout this book, there is never a question that the reader's desire to keep turning the pages will be maintained until the last page. I applaud Ms. Kain for how nurturing and caring she was to expose the emotions and feelings of not only the afflicted (Gavin) but also the damage and destruction C-PTSD causes in what (at times) is an endless nightmare of anxiety held together with a very fragile thread of hope...somewhere. Bravo, Ms. Kain! I cannot wait to read your next book!

Quill says: What Lies Buried is a must-read that reminds the reader of how very complex (and fragile) the human psyche is.

For more information about What Lies Buried, please visit the author's website at: https://lesliekain-psychfiction.com/