Sirens Over the Hudson by M.J. Neary

Sirens Over the Hudson by M. J. Neary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sirens Over the Hudson by M.J. Neary is truly a departure for this talented author. With a laser-like focus, Neary explores the depraved and privileged lives of the rich in Westchester, NY. A financial crisis is looming, and the various characters in this story are pulled into controversy and dire situations that drastically change and challenge their lives. When Gregory King, the son of a wealthy Wall St. shark, gets involved with his friend's girlfriend, the sparks fly and doom is never far away. As is reflective of the times, and due to his dark skin tone and background, with time and as the story progresses, Gregory becomes a target of Islamaphobia. An interesting story that examines the secret lives of the exceedingly rich, it also makes a sad, probing commentary on controversial subjects that resonate through society. Politics, sex, race, and money make this a wicked reading experience. Highly recommend.

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The Haunting by Raymond M. Hall

The Haunting by Raymond M Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Haunting by Raymond M. Hall is a well put together paranormal romance/thriller. Sebastian Carmichael is a world recognized pianist, but is looking for a change, and a move to a remote village is just what the doctor ordered. He peruses several properties, and decides to purchase a run down old bakery/homestead and start anew. The story is not merely about a renovation however, and when Sebastian meets a mysterious woman named Briony, his life certainly gets more interesting by the day. With a good mix of subtle romance, a little touch of ghosts haunting old homes, and a mercurial love interest, the author has written a compellingly readable story. The characters are fairly well fleshed out, and scenery and settings are described with a thoughtful tone. You will feel as though you are driving through and visiting a small English village. If you are looking for an escape,this is a good book to curl up with and get lost in.

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Liar by K.L. Slater

Liar by K.L. Slater reveals Slater as a consistently gifted writer who can write about the ordinary and turn it into the macabre. With Liar she inserts even more drama and strife into an already fraught relationship; that between a mother in law and her daughter in law. With alternating chapters that highlight and expose each of the protagonist's failings and shocking personality quirks, Slater renders a troubling and fascinating character portrayal of Amber, the love interest of Ben. She furthers this rendering by juxtaposing it against Ben's mum, Judi, who is a fascinating character herself. These people are deeply troubled on many levels, making them difficult to relate to, difficult to like. As this relationship plays out, truly horrific actions and histories come to light. As the reader, you don't know who to root for, and that's okay. Slater skillfully adds twists and turns to the narrative, keeping you guessing. A fine addition to the wonderful Slater library, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward again to the next intriguing novel from K.L. Slater. I kindly thank Netgalley.com for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and thank the publisher as well.

Never Say I Wish: The loveliest book in the world...at least for me- by Angela Covas

Never say I wish: The loveliest book in the world... at least for me. by Angela Covas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Never Say I Wish: The loveliest book in the world...at least for me by Angela Covas is a lovely book that tackles a tough subject. Death is something that most people avoid talking about in polite conversation, but Covas takes it head on. Her premise is basically that we should all arrive at our deaths without regrets, without wishing we had done things differently. Covas skillfully uses other people's personal journeys as examples of how to reach and achieve dreams. She speaks with those who have had near death experiences, and how those experiences transformed their lives for the better. With each chapter prefaced by a substantial quote that makes you think, this is a well thought out and inspirational book. With anecdotes sprinkled throughout the book, Covas engages the reader in fomenting a plan for living a full life, one without regret, and embracing each day to the fullest. Highly recommend to nurture your soul and may even spark some interesting conversations.

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