Bookworm Press

The best rewards for authors are readers who love their work. It makes all the effort of writing a book worthwhile. I’m so excited about the lovely review of my new novel, Letter from a Cave, from Sally G. Cronin, UK author of many books and host of the wonderful Smorgasbord Blog Magazine:

“This is a delightful book with several elements that add interest and colour, along with stunning descriptions of the majestic mountains and lakes of Italy and Switzerland.

The characters in this story have appeared over the years in the author’s other books, but there is enough back story for the book to be a standalone read. It was the first time I had met them, but they are so well rounded and engaging that you feel you have known them for years.

A tragedy towards the end of the war prompts a journey through Italy and Switzerland to unravel the mystery, but it is also a journey of discovery for the main characters as they come to terms with the past, loss and uncertainty about love and the future.

With two romances developing for the younger and older generation there is plenty of light-hearted chapters as well as the unfolding discoveries about the letter in the cave to keep the reader engaged. The fact there is a cute dog in the mix will also make readers very happy and entertained.

There are reminders of a darker past and that there are still those who bear grudges and guilt about their own actions during a time of repression and fear. There are also wonderful moments where there is an opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of others.

I highly recommend this lovely and well-written book to romance and mystery fans of any age.”

– Sally Cronin, Author and Host of Smorgasbord Blog Magazine, UK

Here is a book I really enjoyed and wanted to share with you:

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

One of the funniest books I have read in a while. It’s a special kind of humor that not everybody may like. I found it hilarious and while you laugh you get a great overview of world history and a tongue-in-cheek vivid portrayal of some of the world’s most famous politicians and rulers. There is an underlying roguish criticism of the weaknesses of social and political systems and their perpetrators.

I read the German version: Der Hundertjährige, der aus dem Fenster stieg und verschwand.

Happy Reading, my Fellow Bookworms!

Dear Fellow Bookworms,

I started to blog about some of my favorite books during the 2020 lock-downs and upheavals. Now that we, at least we in California and many parts of the US, are opening up our shops, restaurants, museums, and, ultimately, our lives, reading is still one of my favorite past times. Let’s hope that soon everyone here and abroad will be able to live a more normal life again. My heart goes out to those who still suffer great losses.

I’m always looking for new books and authors and there is nothing more enjoyable than diving into the imaginary lives of fascinating characters!

Here is another author whose books I really enjoy and my brief review:

Braxton Campus Mysteries by James J Cudney – Fun and suspenseful!

I’m in the process of reading this mystery series that takes place in the town and academia of Braxton. I thoroughly enjoy the quirky characters, the well-thought-out plot, the twists and turns, and the humor. Kellan Ayrwick, or “Little Ayrwick” as the obnoxious town detective calls him, professor and amateur sleuth, has his work cut out for him. All he wants to do is be a respectable teacher and devoted father to his little girl, Emma, but destiny seems to have other plans for him. Aside from having to deal with his mob in-laws and other calamities, he has the propensity of stumbling upon dead bodies. Together with his annoying but good-hearted Nana, he tries to catch the murderer before he or she strikes again.

These are fun and fascinating mysteries, real page turners!

Interested? Check out the series page on Amazon by clicking on the book cover above or click on the link to the Author Page on Amazon.

If you would like to receive updates on my writing, you can subscribe to my mailing list by clicking on the Mailing List link below and filling out this short form or by clicking on the Mail Chimp icon in the right panel. I can assure you I won’t flood your inbox with mail. I know how aggravating it is having to scroll through tons of unsolicited messages.

Mailing List

Stay safe and have a wonderful day!

Dear Fellow Bookworms,

I started to blog about some of my favorite books during the 2020 lock-downs and upheavals. Now that we, at least we in California and many parts of the US, are opening up our shops, restaurants, museums, and, ultimately, our lives, reading is still one of my favorite past times. Let’s hope that soon everyone here and abroad will be able to live a more normal life again. My heart goes out to those who still suffer great losses.

I’m always looking for new books and authors and there is nothing more enjoyable than diving into the imaginary lives of fascinating characters!

Here is a brief review of one of my favorite books and authors:

Where The Story Starts by Imogen Clark

Fascinating, full of surprises, and deeply moving!

Two families in Whitley Bay, England, are unknowingly linked through acts of deceit and lies. Over the years, the lies are uncovered, peeled away, and discarded. Now the question is, will the family members be able to deal with the truth and move on?

Like many of the other novels by this author, this fascinating story is intriguing, heart-breaking, and at the same time hopeful. It is beautifully told, without sentimentality. The characters are psychologically interesting and genuine. Excellent work!

Interested? Check out the author page on Amazon by clicking on the book title above or on the book cover or click on the author’s website: https://imogenclark.com/

If you would like to receive updates on my writing, you can subscribe to my mailing list by clicking on the Mailing List link below and filling out this short form or by clicking on the Mail Chimp icon in the right panel. I can assure you I won’t flood your inbox with mail. I know how aggravating it is having to scroll through tons of unsolicited messages.

Mailing List

The Seamless Web by Joe Eliseon

I came across this legal comedy by accident and I’m glad I did. It totally cured me of the faulty notion that lawyers couldn’t possible have a sense of humor and that they didn’t know how to write. I mean, really, have you ever read  legal texts? They don’t make any sense at all. Well, the author Joe Eliseon, is a lawyer, or was, before he began to write fiction and he darn well knows how to write and on top of it he creates quirky and humorous characters! Here is my review of one of his novels.

The Seamless Web – fun and thought-provoking

No matter what your opinion about lawyers, whether you think of them as saviors of the unjustly accused or as greedy, manipulative liars, who rob you blind if they get a chance, you will greatly enjoy this rambunctious, funny, and thought-provoking comedy.

Pete Roselli, a young lawyer fresh out of law school, wants to do things right. He believes in the law and wants to stick to it. This honest attitude, however, gets him into trouble with his law firm and his ugly, demanding, and ill-tempered boss. Not the law is important but the satisfaction of the client. The client has to win no matter what. Desperately searching for a solution in order to keep his job, Pete stumbles upon a tool that solves his problem and makes him one of the most sought after lawyers. However, in the process he gets trapped in a web of lies and manipulations that threatens both his professional and personal life.

A hilarious and insightful book in four parts by an author with plenty of experience in the legal field. A page-turner with colorful, quirky characters. Definitely worth reading!

If you need a good laugh and a fascinating read, here is the link to Joe Eliseon’s author page on Amazon, where you find his other novels as well:

Joe Eliseon – Author Page

Saving Red by Sonya Sones

I became familiar with Sonya Sones, the author, through her husband, Bennett Tramer, another famous writer (remember Saved by the Bell?) who happens to frequent the same coffee shop in Santa Monica that my friends and I go to on Sunday mornings. Cafe Zella, like many other businesses in California was in lockdown but is now open again with restrictions of course.

The action in Saving Red takes place in large part in Santa Monica, my home town, and Cafe Zella is mentioned in the book.

Here is my review:

I read this novel in one sitting, couldn’t put it down. It’s a touching but unsentimental tale of a young girl, trying to complete her community service school project by counting the homeless people in Santa Monica, CA. Before she knows it, she becomes involved in a series of turbulent adventures, trying to reunite a troubled, homeless girl with her family before Christmas. Her passion to help this girl is fueled by her genuine good heart but also by feelings of guilt about that terrible thing that happened in her own family and which she feels responsible for.

Saving Red, written in verse that captures the emotions and thoughts of these young protagonists perfectly, is a real gem. It’s the first book I read by the author, but it won’t be my last. It’s written for young adults and those older ones who are still young at heart! Highly recommended.

Check it out on Sonya Sones’ website: https://www.sonyasones.com/ or on Amazon.

More books to follow. Have a great and entertaining reading weekend!

A Fractured Winter by Alison Baillie

Although lock-downs have eased somewhat, it’s still advisable to stay home as much as possible. And there is no better way to entertain ourselves than discovering new books! One of the authors and books I want to introduce is A Fractured Winter by Alison Baillie. Alison Baillie, originally from the UK, lives and works in Switzerland and is one of the authors I met personally in Zurich, where a group of writers and I took a walk through the city, shared a meal, a glass of Prosecco, and an enjoyable chat.

Here is my review of her psychological thriller A Fractured Winter.

Dark, profound, and fascinating

Olivia is a single mother from Scotland who moved to Switzerland to put her past behind her and start a new life with her young son. Married to her dependable and kind Swiss husband, she lives with him and her three children in a lovely mountain village in the Swiss Alps. Life seems perfect, until the day she finds an anonymous and threatening note in her mailbox. A few days later, the best friend of her seven year old daughter Lara disappears without trace and a person Olivia tried to forget from the past appears on the scene. Suddenly, Olivia’s peaceful and content existence is shattered. Added to this, memories of her painful childhood, her troubled young adulthood surface, leaving her confused and scared. Her logical and sensible husband isn’t much help. The only people who seem to understand and care for her are a woman and a man who are running a spiritual community in a renovated old hotel. But who are they really and what is going on behind the walls of the Grand Wildenbach Hotel?

A Fractured Winter is a dark, psychologically profound story about a woman who struggles with an unresolved past. Fascinating read!

More to come. Wishing you an enjoyable and healthy weekend!

The Attic Room by Linda Huber – Riveting!

Linda Huber, originally from Scotland, lives in Switzerland. I got to know here through her books and on social media but had the pleasure of meeting her in person on my visits to Switzerland, my home country. We had a lot of fun exploring Zurich, eating, and enjoying a glass (or two) of Prosecco!

Linda writes psychological thrillers that you can’t put down once you start reading them! Here is my review of The Attic Room.

When Nina’s mother dies after a horrible car accident, the small family consisting of three generations: Claire, her mother, Nina, and Naomi, Nina’s daughter, is ripped apart. Nina buries herself in her work and the care of her daughter, trying to go on with her life. A phone call from a man who claims to be the lawyer of her father throws her existence into even more turmoil. Nina’s father had died when Nina was three years old; at least that is what Claire, her mother, had told her. The man who claims to be her father, however, is still alive and lives in a retirement home. So who is he? Was it a misunderstanding? Was he an uncle, some other relative? Was he an impostor? After the mysterious relative dies unexpectedly and she is named in his will, Nina leaves her peaceful island and flies to Bedfordshire to find an answer to this unsettling matter. When she gets there, she is forced to unravel a deeply troubling and highly dangerous family secret that throws her completely off kilter. One nightmare follows another to the point where even Naomi’s life is in danger.

The Attic Room is fascinating story and a real page-turner. I couldn’t put it down. It deals with difficult issues, but there is enough love and hope to counter the darkness of this family’s history.

Check it out. Here is the link: The Attic Room

More to come. Stay tuned and stay safe!

5 Minutes by Gareth Stokes

I am not exactly a sci-fi fan but I read a few novels in that genre I really enjoyed, one being 5 Minutes by Gareth Stokes.

Here is my review:

More than 5 minutes worth of excitement.

This is a novel of epic proportions which deals with events in Russian history of the early twentieth century and stretches far into the future to the planet Excel and the Five Moons. The inhabitants of these places are descendents of “old Earth,” mixed in with robots, talking spaceships, and characters which are part human and part machine. These worlds are far ahead of earth as far as technology is concerned and yet they deal with the same problems their ancestors struggle with and their leaders remind us of our modern corrupt and power-hungry politicians.

Empress Lydia, the ruler of Excel, wants to destroy Earth as an act of revenge for the murder of her children when she was tsarina in Russia. She is even ready to sacrifice her daughter who opposes her plan. Her husband, a gentler creature, tries to reign in her hatred and her violent leanings. Marielle, her daughter, escapes with Pegasus, the talking spaceship and attempts to thwart her mother’s plans. While all this turmoil and warfare is going in outer space, a young child by the name of Amy is cruelly abused by her foster father. But it is Amy, vulnerable but tenacious and lovable, who becomes an important instrument in saving Earth.

5 Minutes is full of dark and at the same time humorous and crazy incidences. The characters, whether human or machine-like, are vividly portrayed and genuine. One of the funniest parts for me is the verbal exchange between Pegasus, the talking computer which controls the spaceship, and Marielle, the commander of the ship.

Lovers of sci-fi will really enjoy this story as well as readers who are looking for a good adventure novel with a deeper meaning, because in essence the story deals with very “human” problems: greed, corruption, and the hunger for power as well as the power of love. One word of caution: the novel is quite long, so set enough time aside to be able to enjoy it.

In other words, the perfect book to get lost in during our stay-at-home time.

More to follow. Stay safe and healthy!

The Jennifer Project by Larry Enright

Larry Enright has written many excellent novels in a variety of genres. The Jennifer Project is futuristic story about present-day reality. Others that I loved are The Transcriber, the series The Adventures of Walter Stickle, FIN, A Cape May Diamond, The Blacker Death. I picked my review of The Jennifer Project as example. Here it is:

Dr. Deever MacClendon, a brilliant scientist, who speaks and acts like a hippy, develops together with the help of his best friend/sometime-lover, Dr. Jennifer Crane, a close-to-human, highly intelligent “machine” he names “Jennifer.” His ultimate goal is to use it to create a better world where people don’t have the power to hurt one another. The powers that be (corporations, the government) want to use his invention to achieve—what else?—power and money. MacClendon, a good, kind-hearted guy sees himself forced to deceive and manipulate in order to keep his invention from getting into the wrong hands. Jennifer—his invention—supports him and Dr. Crane “wholeheartedly.” Will MacClendon succeed or will his invention cause the destruction of the world? Will he be able to save his human friend and lover, Dr. Crane? Who is really in charge here? MacClendon? The Corporations? The Resistance (those who fight the government)? Jennifer, the invention? Well, you have to read the book to find out.

This is a fascinating novel, full of “groovy” sixties-like language and humorous situations. But it is also a serious book that portrays the human evils—cruelty, greed, egomania—as well as the power of love and compassion. Lots of scientific research must have gone into this story. Since I am scientifically handicapped, I have no idea how much of it is real, but it sounds authentic!

As in the other of Larry Enright’s books, the colorful, quirky, flawed but lovable, very funny characters keep you entertained from beginning to end. Perfect! I loved it!

If this review triggered your curiosity, check out this fascinating author. Click on the book cover above or the book link here: The Jennifer Project.

Stay safe and sane during these difficult times and stay tuned for more excellent reads in the coming weeks.