Review: Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard, Growing Stronger by Shannon O’Brien

Genre: Memoir/Narrative Nonfiction

Description:

“What happens when the path you choose leads far from everything you thought you knew?

Shannon O’Brien leaves behind a life of routine to chase adventure across South America and Asia. With only a backpack and a restless heart, she dives into landscapes as beautiful as they are unpredictable. But what begins as a journey to explore the world soon becomes a deeper quest to explore herself.

She finds herself lost and dehydrated in Peru’s Colca Canyon, nursing an injured spider monkey in the Bolivian jungle, and inside a high-altitude jail. A crude hospital in Cambodia tests her limits, while encounters with a shaman in Vietnam and a dangerous brush with Moroccan drug lords challenge everything she thought she knew about trust and survival.”

Author:

“For over 15 years, Shannon O’Brien has made the world her classroom—immersing herself in cultures and discovering how every journey transforms the traveler. A writer, educator, and lifelong adventurer, she crafts vivid, character-driven stories that explore identity, change, and the emotional landscapes of travel. Her debut travel memoir, Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard and Growing Stronger, blends raw honesty with rich cultural detail, capturing both the external journey and the inner one. Originally from California but now based in Malta, Shannon teaches at an international school and continues to write.”

For more visit the author’s website.

Appraisal:

I’m an avid traveler although the vast majority of that travel has been in the US rather than to places all over the world like the author, Shannon O’Brien, chronicles in this book. I also love travel memoirs. Since I can’t be on the road all the time reading these gives me the chance to experience places I’ve never been vicariously as well as seeing places I have been and travel experiences in general through someone else’s eyes, giving me a chance to compare. This book was incredible. I enjoyed reading it as much as some of the classics of the genre I’ve read over the years. If you like travel memoirs, giving this one a try is a no brainer.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

A small amount of adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an ARC (advance reviewer copy) and thus I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 80-85,000 words

Review: How to Succeed in Life by Wol-vriey

 

Genre: Horror/LGBT

Description:

“Unlock success… at the cost of your soul.

Grady Burke was delivering a pizza when he found the evil book. Or more accurately, when the evil book found him.

Which was really very unfortunate for Grady and his family and friends and his employers.

Grady lived at home with his transgender older sister Kayla, who filmed internet porn in her bedroom, and his father Tommy, who laundered money for the Boston mob.

Now, Grady Burke wasn't exactly a loser or a slacker, he was just supremely unmotivated.

So, maybe the evil book had decided Grady needed motivating.

The evil book was titled: How to Succeed in Life.

And when, very soon, people around Grady began dying in gruesome and incredible ways, Grady and those closest to him were caught in a race against time to work out exactly how one succeeded in life without getting murdered, mauled, and mutilated by macabre monstrous forces in the process.

How to Succeed in Life folks: The world’s most deadly self-help manual.”

Author:

“Wol-vriey is Nigerian and quite tall.

He writes horror fiction—for adults only, please. And also some surrealist stuff.

To date, he has published over twenty novels in both genres.”

Appraisal:

I can’t claim to be a big fan of horror books, but like to give most genres a try once in a while when I find a book outside my norm that has something that draws me in. This one, the title was part of what did that. If it was a self help book I’d have seen it as a cliché title, but for horror it isn’t what you’d expect. The wide variety of people featured in the story, what happens to them, and figuring out how it is all going to shake out and (hopefully) end kept me engrossed the whole way. My only real complaint is that while it didn’t quite reach the level where I’d knock off stars to my ranking, there were enough proofing misses that snuck into the final book that I found myself getting knocked out of the story more often than I’d like. If you can overlook that and are interested in a strange twist on horror, this might be the book for you.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

As the author indicates in his bio, his books are for adults only. This book contains lots of adult content and language. Some adults might want to stay away from his books too. If you’re one, I’m sure you know that.

Format/Typo Issues:

More issues than I like to see with proofing misses, but came just short of the point where I would deduct stars from my ranking for these issues. Most of the problems are sentences or phrases that seemed like they were missing a word. For example “she replied me …” where it felt to me like it should have said “she replied to me” and was missing the “to.”

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

Review: Canyon Walk by Melissa Bowersock

 

Genre: Paranormal/Mystery/Native American

Description:

“Sam is contacted by a member of the Paiute tribe of Northern Arizona and asked to clear a location that’s been haunted for so long, no one remembers why. There’s literally no information available about it, making Lacey’s job impossible. In addition, the location is probably the most isolated place Sam and Lacey have ever investigated: the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Can they really tap into this forgotten story and unearth the ancient mystery?”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: paranormal, biography, western, action, romance, fantasy, spiritual, and satire. She has been both traditionally and independently published and writes the Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery Series. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

For more, visit Ms Bowersock’s website.

Appraisal:

If you’ve read a few of the past books in this series (this is book 48) then you’ll know the basics of what to expect. Sam Firecloud, a native American, is able to communicate with the spirits of people who have died at some point in the past, but due to some unfinished issue, the spirit is unable to move on to whatever comes next. Sam’s wife, Lacey Fitzpatrick, assists him, taking videos of his end of any interactions with the spirits, and helps him with research, and in countless other ways.

This book conforms to the pattern, but like every other in the series, it is unique and has twists and qualities that are unlike the others in the series. You’ll get a peek into the history of the area of Arizona where the Grand Canyon is located. While fiction, I found myself flashing on how I felt reading certain kinds of travel or non-fiction adventure memoirs as Sam and Lacey had to take a multi-day rafting trip down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon. If you’ve ever done a whitewater rafting trip of any length, you’ll be holding onto your chair and flashing back on the fun you had doing that. (If not, here’s your chance to try it out vicariously.) As with others in the series, this is a quick, fun, and entertaining read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 25-30,000 words

Review: Treacherous Hack by Kevin G. Chapman

 Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Description:

“When electronics store owner Lou Palazzo is gunned down at a snowy Manhattan intersection, NYPD homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson catch a case that’s anything but ordinary. Back at Lou’s shop, two Chinese nationals linked to a powerful Shanghai cybercrime ring are dead. The only clue? A missing laptop computer, possibly containing something Lou was willing to die to protect.

Meanwhile, NYU student Ryan Gelb is panicking. His hacked laptop held the stolen university data — data he quietly gave to his Uncle Lou. Now Lou is dead, and whoever killed him is coming for the file. . . and for Ryan.

Caught between international cybercriminals, New York mobsters, and the police, Ryan is desperate to recover the file and avoid being expelled — or worse, executed.”

Author:

A lawyer specializing in labor and employment law by day, Kevin Chapman describes his real passions as playing tournament poker, rooting for the New York Mets, and writing fiction. For more, visit Mr Chapman’s website.

Appraisal:

I’ve read several of the books in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series of which this is the latest, and I’ve liked all of them I’ve read. Of course while they have the same main characters, Mike Stoneman and his partner Jason Dickson, they have unique aspects in each. In this one we not only get the story of Mike and Jason trying to figure out the murder of pawn shop owner Lou Palazzo, but another story thread with Lou’s nephew, Ryan trying to find some data that he shouldn’t have had, but passed on to his Uncle Lou. We’ve also got some interesting characters involved that … I’m not sure the word incestuous is the best word to describe things, but it’s got to be close with people with ties to the main characters complicating things for all concerned. Even though the reader knows a lot of things that the characters don’t know, this kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing all the way. An interesting and different story.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Although this book is part of a series each book in the series stands alone, so reading prior books in the series or the order you choose to read each book doesn’t matter.

Format/Typo Issues:

Based on an advance reviewer copy although based on that there were no significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 85-90,000 words

Reprise Review: Blood Walk by Melissa Bowersock

 Genre: Mystery/Supernatural

Description:

“The paranormal investigation team of Lacey Fitzpatrick and medium Sam Firecloud is keeping tabs on a serial killer case that’s baffling the LAPD: four murders in a month, with no solid leads or suspects. When Sam and Lacey offer their assistance, the PD reluctantly agrees, but Sam gets more than he bargains for when he visits the crime scenes. In addition to picking up impressions from the victims, he’s also receiving feelings from the killer himself. Sam’s unusual connection to the murderer’s mind may help them catch the criminal, but it could also lead the murderer to them. In a deadly race against time, Sam and Lacey piece the clues together to catch the killer before he catches them.”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: paranormal, biography, western, action, romance, fantasy, spiritual, and satire. She has been both traditionally and independently published and is a regular contributor to the superblog Indies Unlimited. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

Learn more about Ms. Bowersock and her other books on her website or stalk her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

I didn’t know what to expect in Blood Walk, I’ve gotten used to the way Sam and Lacey work. This time Ms. Bowersock throws the reader, along with Sam and Lacey, a curve ball that changes things up with unexpected consequences. Trying to catch a gruesome serial killer who seems to not have a discernable pattern besides the disposal of his victims. The police are perplexed and welcome Sam’s mediumistic assistance.

The plot moves at a nice pace as Sam and Lacey try to identify the elusive killer and plan their wedding. Lacey has amazing Google skillz that offer as much guidance as Sam’s readings. (Honestly, I don’t know if Lacey uses Google. I just wanted to say Google skillz.) Blood Walk is well written with fully rounded characters and intelligent dialogue. The end of the first storyline is full of suspense, tension, and heart stopping action. The end of the story is heartwarming and may leave you with happy tears. It did me. I can’t wait for the next book. Anyone who loves mysteries with a small dose of the supernatural will enjoy this book. And the whole series.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Blood Walk is the eighth book in Ms. Bowersock’s A LACEY FITZPATRICK and SAM FIRECLOUD MYSTERY SERIES. Each of these mysteries can be read as a standalone if you choose. However, I am enjoying the relationship developing between Lacey and Sam, so I would recommend reading from the beginning to get the full benefit of their storyline.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words

Review: 77 Days by James Theimer

 Genre: Political Thriller

Description:

“Elections have consequences. This one could spell the end of humanity.

Cursed with a near-perfect memory, former investigative reporter Quinn Hamilton cannot forget the nightmare image of her husband’s twisted, broken body. It’s been four years since she severed all ties with the outside world, so it’s a shock to forgotten friends when she suddenly resurfaces to take the job of White House press secretary just weeks before the next presidential election…

…for the man who accused her husband of treason.

The president is defeated, but he refuses to concede. Before Quinn can expose his plot to use a deadly virus outbreak to seize the White House, she is forced to flee the capital. But as a suddenly vulnerable America hurtles toward a calamitous nuclear war, she cannot escape the staggering truth her husband uncovered before his death. It will be neither contagion nor conflict that dooms us, but something more monstrous.

Something only she can stop, with memory her only weapon.”

Author:

“James Theimer didn't break all the rules to build a successful small-town architecture practice; sometimes it just seemed that way. Nationally recognized for his design, writing, and public speaking, he now follows that same path with his first work of fiction. James' writing examines how ordinary people respond when confronted with extraordinary events. Born in New Jersey, he met his wife in the Caribbean before moving to northern California. They currently reside on the coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean.”

Appraisal:

This story, that could rightfully be called apocalyptic or dystopian in many ways, is in theory over the top. It has a president who pretends to be religious, something we’ve seen before, but this guy, President Gentry, goes way over the top with this. (Hopefully I don’t need to tell you that President Gentry, just like the current guy, was all talk in this regard though.) I read this book in late 2025 and was surprised to realize that the book was published the month prior to the 2024 US elections. That’s because there was talk of president Gentry using ICE in some questionable ways that happened in real life shortly after the book was released. Hopefully everything that happened in the book doesn’t happen for real or we’re in for an even tougher time than we’ve already seen.

It’s a good read regardless and I hope it remains (mostly) fiction. I should point out that it is a long read, about double the size of a typical novel, but still falls way short of the length of War and Peace, so not totally over the top in that regard. Definitely a good read, just keep repeating to yourself, “it’s only fiction” and you’ll be okay.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 180-185,000 words

Review: Cross Checking by Dennis Pierce

 

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Description:

“A search for hidden treasure linked to a decades-old crime. A race against time to stop a fanatical church leader’s murderous plot. A well-educated mob boss who stands in the way of one of these goals—and could be the key to achieving the other.

In Cross Checking, book 2 of the Parker Hanson mystery series, former journalist turned private investigator Parker Hanson and Amalia Velasquez, his ex-Army Ranger neighbor, are back with not one but two major mysteries to solve.

When they aren’t trying to stop what they fear might be a large-scale assault, Parker and Amalia find themselves looking for a stolen painting that could help solve a 35-year-old crime.

Juggling two critical cases with far-reaching implications will require Parker and Amalia to summon every ounce of skill and resolve they possess. And when Parker is faced with a moral dilemma that could determine the fate of hundreds of people, how will he respond?

Featuring humor, pulse-pounding suspense, and plenty of hockey and pop culture references, this crime thriller set in New Hampshire from veteran journalist Dennis Pierce will keep readers engrossed until the very last page. If you’re a fan of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series or relatable, underdog heroes in general, you won’t want to miss this book.”

Author:

“Dennis Pierce is a freelance writer, author, and journalist. A graduate of Yale University, he began his professional career as an education journalist with eSchool Media, working his way from assistant editor to managing editor and editor-in-chief. In his last few years with the company, he served as director of content partnerships, working with advertisers to develop and execute content marketing campaigns. He has covered congressional hearings on Capitol Hill, interviewed former astronauts and Secretaries of Education, and ghostwritten thought leadership articles for company CEOs.”

Appraisal:

This was a fun, enjoyable read. I always enjoy a good mystery that keeps me engrossed in the story, trying to figure out what the answer is along with the protagonists makes for a fun read. With two cases intertwined in this story there was plenty to keep the reader engaged.

One thing that stood out in this book and set it apart in a good way from many mysteries was the subtle humor that is scattered throughout the story. There might be some things that I missed because I wasn’t clued in to a subtle reference, but I caught some that I suspect others might not pick up on. For example, if you aren’t enough of a music nerd to recognize the name Charlie Sexton, you won’t giggle like I did at one reference. But you ought to still enjoy the mystery.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Contains a minimal amount of adult language.

This is the second book in a series featuring Parker Hanson. However, each book is standalone.

Format/Typo Issues:

My review is based on an ARC (advance reviewer copy), so I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

Review: Class Action by Gail Ward Olmsted

 Genre: Legal Thriller

Description:

“R U in? Need $ now

Third year law student Lennon Gallagher’s life turns from complicated to overwhelming when she receives a message meant for someone else. The text offers an advance copy of a final exam—a guaranteed ‘A’—but accepting it will violate the honors code she refuses to break. When Lennon declines, the collaborators behind the cheating scheme demand her silence or they will ensure she takes the fall if necessary.

Fighting for her future while balancing an internship, exams, studying for the bar, a boyfriend who no longer seems to understand her, and a mother who needs help rebuilding her life after prison, Lennon tries to handle everything alone. But when she discovers the lead plaintiff in her firm’s class action lawsuit might be the father she’s never known, it’s the final straw. She needs help.

With the support of her friend and mentor, attorney Miranda Quinn, Lennon must navigate betrayal, legal intrigue, and personal discovery. As one relationship unravels, another blossoms in this gripping story of resilience, secrets, and second chances.

A captivating read full of unexpected twists and emotional depth.”

Author:

“Gail Ward Olmsted was a marketing executive and a college professor before she began writing fiction on a full-time basis. A trip to Sedona, AZ inspired her first novel Jeep Tour. Three more novels followed before Landscape of a Marriage, a biographical novel featuring landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, a distant cousin of her husband's, and his wife Mary. Miranda Fights is the third book in the Miranda Quinn Legal Twist series. Olmsted enjoys writing about quirky, wonderful women in search of a second chance at a happy ever after. When not writing, she loves being on the water, especially in a kayak. She is well known for her blonde brownies, and coffee is her love language.”

For more visit her Facebook page.

Appraisal:

I loved this book. The main character, Lennon, is someone I immediately liked and was pulling for her to do well. She’d beat the odds reaching the point she was at when the book started and was on the verge of graduating from law school with a bright future. However, these last few months throw more than a few curves at her. How or if she’d work through it while dealing with all her normal life struggles kept me engrossed from the first word to the last. I wish every book I read captured me the way this one did.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an ARC (advance reviewer copy) and I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Review: Resonant Blue and Other Stories by Mary Vensel White

 Genre: Short Story Collection

Description:

“The first collection of award-winning short fiction from the author of Bellflower and Things to See in Arizona, whose writing reflects ‘how we can endure and overcome our personal histories, better understand our ancestral ones, and accept the unknown future ahead.’”

Author:

“Mary Vensel White is the author of the novels Starling, Bellflower, and The Qualities of Wood, and the young adult novel, Things to See in Arizona. Her short fiction and essays have appeared in numerous publications. Born in Los Angeles, Mary has lived in northern California, Denver, and Chicago, and has been back in southern California for two decades.”

For more, visit her website.

Appraisal:

A unique and interesting collection of short stories. Each of the main characters in the stories were working through a significant event or change in their life, and observing how they dealt with them compared to how the reader or people they know have reacted to similar things is great to get the reader thinking about life and the differences in how different people approach it.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

A small amount of adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an advance review copy, so I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 60-65,000 words

Reprise Review: Demon Walk by Melissa Bowersock

 

Genre: Mystery/Supernatural

Description:

“Private investigator Lacey Fitzpatrick and Navajo medium Sam Firecloud are called in by the Director of Mission San Juan Capistrano to unravel the mystery surrounding an evil presence that is threatening the mission’s people and its liability, maybe its very existence. While Lacey digs into the research, Sam pulls out all the stops, planning to fight fire with fire and witchcraft with… witchcraft. Lacey finds his methods disturbing, but knows they have to combat the ancient, supernatural force that has killed before, and may very well kill again.”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: biography, contemporary, western, action, romance, fantasy, paranormal and spiritual. She has been both traditionally and independently published and is a regular contributor to the superblog Indies Unlimited. She lives in a small community in northern Arizona with her husband and an Airedale terrier. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

Learn more about Ms. Bowersock on her website or follow her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

With Lacey and Sam’s notoriety growing they are contacted by the Director of Mission San Juan Capistrano to investigate the strange happenings going on at their mission. While Lacey looks for connections from the mission’s past, Sam searches the more esoteric connections.

With their combined resources and skills will Lacey and Sam be able to determine the source of the ancient magic they have to face and defeat? Find out as Ms. Bowersock includes more members of Sam’s family and challenges Lacey to believe in herself.

I found Demon Walk enthralling. Ms. Bowersock continues to captivate me with every story she spins. Her secondary characters are strong and make each story well-rounded, which aids in the suspension of disbelief. I highly recommend this series to readers of paranormal mysteries. I guarantee you’ll love Lacey and Sam. I can’t wait to see where their next case takes them.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Demon Walk is book six in A LACEY FITZPATRICK and SAM FIRECLOUD MYSTERY SERIES. Each of these mysteries can be read as a standalone if you choose. However, I am enjoying the relationship developing between Lacey and Sam, so I would recommend reading from the beginning to get the full benefit of their storyline.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues. 

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words