Book Review: Going For Kona by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

Going For Kona

Pamela Fagan Hutchins

Publication Date: October 1, 2014

4 Stars=Great Page Turner

Family tragedy turns into determination in Going For Kona by Pamela Fagan Hutchins. Michelle Hanson wanted to surprise her husband, Adrian by telling him she would be running the Kona Ironman Triathlon with him. It would have been a great surprise if Michelle were able to tell him. When Michelle finds out her husband was killed in a bicycling accident her whole world changes. She must keep it together for her children but it is harder said than done.

Michelle listens to her publicist and continues ahead with the events that were previously planned for Adrian and Michelle’s new book. Michelle ignores the negative comments but soon notices that someone is after her family. When allegations start flying attacking her husband’s character and loyalty to their marriage, Michelle must keep a straight face and deny the rumors.

On the other hand, as Michelle tries her best to keep it together she is hit with another blow; her step-daughter is being taken away by her controlling grandmother. Michelle learns fast that she must do what is best for her family if she is to make it past all the issues that are hitting her head on.

Going for Kona was about a woman’s strength to overcome all obstacles after losing the man she loved. The author once again gives readers a character that they can’t help but love. The plot was consistent with a mild drama and some humor but overall very entertaining. I also applaud the main character for not giving up. I recommend this book to others.

This book was provided by the author for review purposes only.

Reviewed by Teresa Beasley

Book Spotlight: Stalemate by Alan Hamilton

Walter had shared a home and a sort of life with her for over sixteen years. When he came to think of it, that’d been a bit like a game of chess too. He’d gone from the enthusiastic opening – through a midgame of jogging along – to the endgameof barbed neutrality, a sort of emotional desert where no win was possible, a kindof stalemate. That had been the pattern for the last five years.

Summer 1930 and Walter Bruce is told he has a terminal disease. With nursing care and an easier job he could have five more years. With neither he may not see out the year. But he’s got a wife to keep – one too selfish and idle to be his nurse. When he finds out she’s been deceiving him about her past for years he comes to a stark decision: if she won’t take care of him he’ll have to take care of her – for good. He plans her removal like one of the chess problems he loves. It will be the perfect murder; he’ll get away with it and enjoy his last few years in comfort. But his carefully laid plans unravel, entangling him in a slowly closing trap where truth and lies become confused…

Set in between-the-wars Liverpool, Stalemate is a gripping tale of moral choices and terrible punishment.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON UK

AMAZON.COM

BARNES & NOBLE

GOODREADS

KOBO

SILVERWOOD BOOKS

GIVEAWAY

2 SIGNED PAPERBACKS (UK only)

2 ECOPIES (International)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4be0301723/

About The Author

Alan Hamilton finds that real events, where there is a mystery or something unexplained, leave so much to the imagination they give the writer of fiction license to make it up. At heart he’s a conspiracy theorist though his head tells him accident is usually more likely – albeit far less interesting. As an antidote to the urge to write creatively, Alan is a publisher’s editor for non-fiction, academic books and journal articles. He lives by the sea in the South West of the UK. His hobbies are cooking and cryptic crosswords in the national newspapers, winning first prize twice in ten years.

http://www.alanhamilton.info/

https://twitter.com/Alwhammy

https://www.facebook.com/alan.hamilton.1291?v=wall

Book Review: Good Sam by Dete Meserve

Good Sam

Dete Meserve

Publication Date: June 2, 2014

3 Stars=Okay Page Turner

In Good Sam by Dete Meserve, Katie Bradley is a news reporter who has covered it all for Los Angeles television news. Katie is assigned a new story, which entailed individuals finding bags of cash on their porches. This act of giving changed the lives of ten individuals and all because someone felt they were in need. It is now up to Katie to find out who this mystery giver is and to get to the bottom of why this person is doing this wonderful act.

As Katie investigates and interviews the man everyone calls Good Sam, she finds that Good Sam is not who he seems. Katie realizes she must search for more answers and the more she digs the more truth is revealed. Katie’s soon discovers the real Good Sam, which changes everything.

Good Sam has an ideal plot with twists but seemed to take a long time to get to it. This was an interesting book and I could relate to a few of the characters. The plot itself kept me interested. This book had minor grammatical errors but didn’t take away from the storyline. I appreciate the message of helping other which the author does a wonderful job expressing in the story. I do recommend Good Sam to others.

This book was provided by the author for review purposes only.

Reviewed by Teresa Beasley

 

Book Review: Outside Woman by Stacy-Deanne

Outside Woman

Stacy-Deanne

Publication Date: October 1, 2014

5 Stars=Non-Stop Page Turner

Thea Pfeiffer is running away from problems in her life. On the advice of her uncle, Hershel Pfeiffer, Thea seeks refuge with her uncle’s close friend, Elijah Roth. Thea can only think of hiding but Elijah has rules if she wants to stay with his family. The Roth’s are an Amish family and they follow all of their community laws. Thea is in for a surprise at just how comfortable her city living was once she starts the Amish lifestyle.

When Thea meets Jacob Roth a spark ignites even though she knows he is the forbidden fruit. Jacob was put out of the community and no one is to speak with him which means Thea too. Thea can’t resist him and a chance encounter with Jacob changes everything. Thea doesn’t know Jacob like she thinks she does and when his past starts to affect her, will she still feel the same way toward him?

Outside Woman was a story about secrets, family, love, religion and consequences. This book was entertaining, exciting and had a naughty feel to it because the main character wanted the bad boy in the story. Stacy-Deanne has done it once again by writing a book that readers will not be able to put down. I was sorry the story had to end because the characters are well-written which made the story come to life. I recommend Outside Woman to others.

This book was provided by the author for review purposes only.

Reviewed by Teresa Beasley