Titanic Survivor by Violet Jessop

I was about to stop reading when the Titanic hit the iceberg. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy the story or that the Titanic tragedy was only a tiny part, it was because of the constant editor’s comments within the text of Violet’s manuscript. It was like someone was constantly interrupting a person relating an experience with constant corrections, adding in their own 2 cents worth and showing off their knowledge.

Violet’s story is not limited to her life as a stewardess on cruise ships. She begins her story with growing up in Argentina then moving to England with her mother and siblings following the death of her father.

Her life spans a period I love to read about, and I found her story fascinating. I am very disappointed the ‘interruptions’ spoilt it.

My rating is 2*. It would have been higher if not for the editor’s comment and I had been able to finish the book. 

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The Attic Tragedy by J. Ashley-Smith

I do not usually go out of my way to read dark fiction but I must confess The Attic Tragedy had me not wanting to put the book down.

This story is a tragedy, yet it opens the readers eyes to topics we may not deal with in our day to day lives. Potential readers should be warned some of the topics it covers are rape, self-harm, school bullying, depression, rape, lesbianism, and suicide. There is also mention of drugs and assault. That sounds heavy and it is, but the author has written the story in such a way it helps us understand not recoil.

The other point potential readers should be aware of is the indication of a supernatural feel about the story with the description of Sylvie’s gift in the precis. When she touches an object in her father’s antique shop she can feel the history of the item. Sadly, this aspect doesn’t really develop, and it is what attracted me to the story in the first place.

It is also a story of unrequited love and how the relationships in our friendships can change over time.

George is overweight, friendless, and bullied. She is a sad girl lacking self-respect and self-confidence. Sylvie is the new girl at school. Their friendship begins when George saves Sylvie from being sexually assaulted.

The tables are turned when Sylvie rescues George from an assault by the boys who had first attacked her.

For George, the friendship develops into love for Sylvie; an unrequited love.

Sylvie moves away to attend university while George works in the antique shop waiting for Sylvie’s return. When that finally happens, things are not the same and George is heartbroken.

Overall, it is a very emotional story. The heart-wrenching topics are not always pleasant to read about but we can’t put our heads in the sand. They do exist and I for one feel more empathy to sufferers.

A tough read but still rated at 4*

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Dargo: A Feel-Good Eco Novella by Karina McRoberts

When I read the opening chapter, I felt pity for Dargo, I liked him but wanted to slap him and wake him up to life. He appears lazy and he is given a week off work without pay to mull things over. But it’s OK our hero comes good.

Dargo is a light-hearted story with humour and a lesson on the environment. It is easily read in one sitting and while it is an adult fairy tale it is also quite suitable for children.

As he wanders, lost in thought, he finds himself at an old theme park. Now abandoned it still brought back happy memories from his childhood. He spies the Gypsy Fortune Teller machine, one of his old favourites and gives it a try. 


That’s when his adventure starts. The fortune teller emerges from the machine and tells Dargo her name is Flame. She is fire. As the story progresses he meets Terran (earth), Mariah (wind), and Vivian (water).

Listening to his new friends, Dargo begins to understand the impact man has had on the earth and climate. They ask him for his help. To tell more would detract from the enjoyment of the story.

I loved all the characters, yes, even our hero, Dargo. I think my favourite though was Terran, the earth.

There are no unnecessary words in the story but McRoberts clearly gets her environmental message across and none of the characters are lacking in personality.

The impact of the story’s message stays with the reader. I was watching the breeze moving the trees this morning and I immediately thought of Mariah.

My rating 5*

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T Wave by Steve Freeman

The official precis is included following this review

Some reviewers analyse a story way too much. As reviewers, do we read just to be critical or do we read for enjoyment? I will never spoil the enjoyment of reading a story by analysing minor details or faults. If the writing is particularly bad then I just don’t finish the story. I move on to one that pleases me. Life is too short to waste time reading material that is uninteresting or does not inform. There are way too many good books out there.

I think the basic questions reviewers should ask are: Did the story engage me and make me want to keep reading? Do I like the goodies and dislike the baddies? Would I read other books by this author? In the case of T Wave, in fact, all Steve Freeman books I have read, the answer is a definite yes. 



The Blackwell Files series of mystery thrillers features Alton Blackwell and Mallory Wilson and a romance that grows through the series as they carry out a variety of investigations.

T Wave the third book in the Blackwell files series. Like the other books, it is a mystery/thriller with a touch of romance.

I have read several books in the series but not in order however this hasn’t detracted from enjoying the character development. Freeman adds just enough background about the main characters Alton Blackwell and Mallory Wilson and their friends for the reader to understand what has gone before without detracting from the story for readers who are reading in sequence.
The story starts with Mallory’s task of what appears to be a simple case of following a paper trail to track the cause of drugs disappearing from a hospital, including patient’s rooms. Meanwhile, Alton tries to discover the cause of sudden and unexplained patient deaths. Are the cases related?

Although the cases are not fraught with danger like others in the series Freeman still manages to fill his story with suspense, action, and mystery. The story moves quickly through the short chapters. The scene often changes with the new chapter just as something is about to happen to keep the reader totally engrossed with its twists and turns.

The characters are believable and the heroes likeable. Alton and Mallory are dedicated to their jobs, each other and making their long-distance relationship work. The storyline includes further development of their romance and an amusing segment where Alton meets his future mother in law, an army general, for the first time.
Characters, friends of Alton and Mallory from previous stories make an appearance and play a vital role in the investigation.

My rating 4*

Precis

Stokely Medical Group has a secret...

When FBI Forensic Accountant Mallory Wilson is called to investigate the potential theft of narcotics from a local medical group, the routine case takes a sinister turn as she and boyfriend Alton Blackwell uncover a series of questionable patient deaths.

Alton and Mallory race to get to the bottom of the ominous events, applying their skills as never before while the plans of murderous drug dealers, cheating spouses, and profit-minded hospital administrators collide with unexpected consequences. When the investigators themselves come under attack, the case takes on even greater urgency.

To protect themselves and prevent further bloodshed, Alton and Mallory must follow a trail of perplexing clues to uncover the malevolent secrets behind the medical facility’s sterile walls.

The solution that awaits them, however, defies their wildest expectations. As they attempt to solve the baffling case, their struggle to maintain a long-distance relationship faces a new challenge as Alton is forced to relocate to a new, out-of-state office.

A fast-paced mystery, T WAVE serves up a roller-coaster ride of unexpected twists with a side of romance.

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