ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE OF LITERATURE (Vol IV, Issue XXII) | Article Published on: 4th Sept 2021 | www.demodemagazine.com
From gripping thrillers to literary gems, here are some brilliant reads out this monsoon written by authors Steven J. Morris, Amy Rivers, David Giffen, A. L. Berggren, Matt Jardine, Lee Mathew Goldberg, Kimberly Mullins, Nikki A Lamers, Kochery C. Shibu and Sandee Sgarlata and bring perfection & stability to your life by reading their literary journey in the article below.
1. 'THE GUARDIAN OF THE PALACE' - BY AUTHOR STEVEN J. MORRIS
The Guardian of The Palace sits at the crossroads of Science Fiction and Fantasy, and several reviewers have thrown it into the bucket of Thriller. While the author did not intend the latter, suspenseful elements might have crept in through withered and warped door frames, through broken drain pipes, and around the guards meant to keep them out.
Book one of the four-book series, The Guardian League, follows “Red” Hernandez, a woman recently returning to civilian life after a shady stint in the military. Her experience lands her a job protecting a modern-day marvel of a building just as it enters a disputed Phase Two of its construction. While she had no illusions that the job would be easy, she expected her skills in unclogging log-jams in high-pressure military missions to enable the on-time completion of the engineering feat that the public had lovingly dubbed The Palace.
Author Morris begins Chapter 1 by dropping you smack into “Sunday, the day after the attack,” and then jumps between past and present to unravel the tangle of how Red ended up questioning her own beliefs about reality. Then the book marches you forward through science, magic, and adventure-filled mayhem. The chapters fly by, craftily teasing you to peek just a little into the next chapter until you’ve gone too far and might as well just keep going. Surely the end of this chapter will be a good stopping point! But alas, just a tiny peek more. Book one ends with a bang and a cliffhanger that leaves you eager for more. Add this one to your To Be Read list, and be ready for your fantasy/sci-fi/thriller adventure.
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THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR STEVEN J. MORRIS
Steven J. Morris spends most of his day designing microchips for Intel Corp. With a PhD in Electrical Engineering, he has worked in multiple roles at Intel over the years, from transistor design to CAD tool creation, to chip creation, switching between the roles of an individual contributor and manager several times. During his career, he has tackled various external efforts - shareware game creation, starting a family, house construction, creating gadgets for the maker revolution, and most recently, writing.
Steve picked writing up after a confluence of events several years prior - a shift at work provided an opportunity, and a retired friend had just written a book. His friend’s self-published book reminded Steve of his desire, some thirty years before, to write a book. On a five-hour car ride one Easter weekend, he tried to pick up the elements of his long-abandoned story, and think them through. By the end of the ride, he decided the story was at least viable—thirty years provides a great deal of insight and experience. He wouldn’t recommend waiting that long to others wanting to write… but some wines need thirty years!
Morris’s journey down the path of a writer brought him to the steps of an editor, Marla Taviano, who took on the role of a writing coach, editor, and friend. And out of Steven’s idea, and Marla’s patience and feedback, The Guardian League came to life. Book 1, 'The Guardian of The Palace', came out in January of 2021. Book 2, 'Stars in the Sand' arrived in June.
Rough drafts of the four-book series existed before the first book appeared on virtual shelves, but it took him months to get each one ready to see the light of day.
Read Author Steven J. Morris's interview with DE MODE & about his upcoming book in the JUL-AUG-SEP 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (LITERATURE). Download/Order the full issue here.
2. 'COMPLICIT- A LEGACY OF SILENCE' - BY AUTHOR AMY RIVERS
A tangled web of deception and duplicity where predators are shielded by respectability and no one is safe.
Kate Medina had been working as a forensic psychologist and loving every minute until a violent attack left her shaken to the core. She’s retreated to her hometown where it’s safe, accepting a job where the prospect of violence is slim to none. As a high school psychologist, Kate tends to the emotional needs of the youth. It’s not the career she envisioned.
Five years later, a student disappears, leaving the school in crisis. Roman Aguilar, the lead detective, reaches out to Kate for assistance. Kate’s position at the school and her training makes her an ideal ally, but her complicated relationship with Roman puts them at odds.
When the girl’s body is found, changing the focus of the investigation to homicide, Kate finds herself in the middle of a situation she never anticipated. What started as her desire to help puts Kate directly in the crosshairs of an enemy who remains largely in shadow. As her past and present collide, Kate is dragged into the middle of a dangerous game where only one thing is clear—no one can be trusted.
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BOOK REVIEWS
A haunting deep dive into the demons all women must face. A brilliant masterpiece. - Rea Frey, Author of 'Until I Find You'.
Complicit is a rare powerhouse of a literary thriller with a profound moral compass. - Joe Clifford, Author of 'The Shadow People and the Jay Porter Thriller Series.
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR AMY RIVERS
Amy Rivers writes novels, short stories and personal essays. She is the Director of Northern Colorado Writers. Her novel All The Broken People was selected as the Colorado Author Project winner in the adult fiction category. She's been published in We Got This: Solo Mom Stories of Grit, Heart, and Humor, Flash! A Celebration of Short Fiction, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Nurses, and Splice Today, as well as Novelty Bride Magazine and ESME.com.
Author Amy was raised in New Mexico and now lives in Colorado with her husband and children. She holds degrees in psychology and political science, two topics she loves to write about. Complicit (Company Press) is her fourth novel. Her characters develop and interact well with the other characters.
Margaret Mizushima, author of the award-winning Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries, including Hanging Fall wrote about her book, 'In Complicit, Amy Rivers has woven threads of a local conspiracy, betrayal, and family secrets into a captivating thriller that you can't put down. Gripping!'
Pat Stoltey, the author of Wishing Caswell Dead Two sisters grown apart over the years, haunted by secrets they don't want to share, are drawn together when young girls from their hometown start disappearing and dying. Complicit is an excellent romantic mystery that reveals one small town's ugly side.
Read Author Amy Rivers's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming book in the JUL-AUG-SEP 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (LITERATURE). Download/Order the full issue here.
3. 'REDEMPTIVE TRAUMA - CONFESSION OF A DEFROCKED PRIEST' - BY AUTHOR DAVID GIFFEN
David Giffen was once a defrocked priest. Having spent a decade as an Anglican cleric in Southwestern Ontario, David served in leadership in three urban social-justice focused appointments as a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada. David was deprived of ministry and terminated from his appointment as an incumbent priest of his parish on December 12th, 2018. He was in his fourth month on medical leave. David was formally accused, investigated and found guilty of sexual misconduct, all while he was drugged out, melting down on social media.
As someone working to heal from traumatic stress injuries from childhood, David's diagnosis with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2018 led him to become a public advocate for the de-stigmatization of mental health and addiction issues (especially when related to generational trauma). He quickly learned the challenges and opportunities this presents, as he himself is one of the examples. Redemptive Trauma: Confession of a Defrocked Priest is a memoir embracing hard truths of trauma to help others heal their own.
David holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Huron University College at the Western University in London, Ontario. For most of his adult life, David served as a street-involved pastor in Toronto and London. His major focuses of ministry were related to social outreach, restorative justice, and learning to wrestle with life and faith in the rapidly evolving social media age.
The author is almost certain that if you don't like stories about sex, drugs, rock stars, alcohol, and the uneven rise and fall of the guilty and the innocent, you probably won't like the Bible either. Or this book. Otherwise, go ahead, dig into both.
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THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR DAVID GIFFEN
David works with executives, academics, groups and businesses – anyone who has found themselves or their organizations in a place that requires support and guidance to plan the best steps to achieve a stated objective, all the way to working through transformative change.
A childhood immigrant from his native Scotland, David has spent a lifetime working alongside some of the most talented leaders across the Canadian landscape. From an early age, he learned that significant change only comes with impactful leadership. David has assembled a gifted collective of leaders to resource the growing needs of the wider community. Both in his work as founder of 403 Leadership Collective & the Co-Founder of The F.O.C.U.S. Movement.
David has become a public advocate for the destigmatization of people suffering from mental health and addiction issues, and quickly learned the challenges (and opportunities) this presents when he himself is one of the examples.
David holds both a Bachelor’s & Master’s degree from Huron University College at the Western University in London, ON, and is the author of Redemptive Trauma: Confession of a Defrocked Priest. For most of his adult life, David has served as a street-involved Pastor in Toronto and London. His major focuses of ministry were related to social outreach, restorative justice, and learning to wrestle with life and faith in the rapidly evolving social media age.
Today, David serves as a mental health professional with the Canadian Mental Health Association. David is an incredibly proud father to Rory, who has a unique ability to lead him in ways he never imagined.
Read Author David Giffen's interview with DE MODE & about his upcoming book in the JUL-AUG-SEP 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (LITERATURE). Download/Order the full issue here.
4. 'THE CRYING MINDS SERIES - THE SECRET, THE HUNT & THE BATTLE' - BY AUTHOR A. L. BERGGREN
The Crying Minds series is set in London, UK, Europe, and China. Roze, a young woman with extreme emotional intelligence and mind-reading skills, gradually becomes a new age female “James Bond” caught in a fight against sadistic women hater and game developing psychopath: Hydra, through brainwashed minds, the secret service, and the dark web.
Three significant storylines weave through the books; the vital force of mind, EQ, truth, and love; the rise to power of Hydra and his many heads across the dark web and underworld, through a sinister reality computer game, enabled by his harem of Mind Slaves; the obsession with finding a cure against evil, mind-blindness, and abuse.
It’s a fictional journey through real-life horrors such as abuse and modern slavery, ignorance of the importance of prevention and cure, potential dangers and possibilities around artificial intelligence and bioscience, as well as the extreme power of addictive computer games and virtual reality.
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DIRECT LINK TO BUY 'THE SECRET OF THE CRYING MINDS' IN INDIA - CLICK HERE
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DIRECT LINK TO BUY 'THE HUNT OF THE CRYING MINDS' IN INDIA - CLICK HERE
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BOOK REVIEWS
THE SECRET OF THE CRYING MINDS - 'Extraordinarily unique thriller', 'Gripping, Thrilling & Enticing!', 'A twisting, turning and hypnotising tale.', 'Brilliant and captivating read', 'Couldn't put down this intense debut novel.'
THE HUNT OF THE CRYING MINDS - 'Done it again', 'A must for all those who enjoy a dark and intense thriller', 'Amazing narration', 'Spectacular', 'Mind-Blowing'.
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR A. L. BERGGREN
A.L. Berggren is an Author and small business owner from Stockholm, Sweden that lives in London since 1996 and writes her books in English. The creation of stories has always been A.L. Berggren's passion. As a child, her stories were created through any means around her, such as; Lego worlds, Barbies, dressing up, pretend play, drawings, writing or paintings. Every day she would create a new story in her head, and she still does, wherever she is; at home, on the tube, in the car, at work or with friends and family - there are no limits on how much you can spice up everyday life if you have a little fantasy and creativity in you!
A.L. Berggren wrote her first book as a four-year-old, "The Birthday Party". The second book got written with her best friend as an eight-year-old called "The Hijackers", which hopefully entertained the classmates at "fun hour" a little.
Then a busy life happened, building a career within IT, moving to London, travelling the world, running guest lists at various clubs in Soho, then eventually settling down, getting married and having two amazing daughters. For a short while, she even got into Stand-up Comedy, never with the intent to work as a comedian full time but to be creative and learn something new. Storytelling kept being part of this life, in the form of customer case studies and presentations, daily good night stories to the girls, comedy material, or to cheer up a friend with something fun. Photography has also always been part of her life as an alternative way to tell a great story. From 2012 until now, throughout a breakup, divorce, being a single mom, a range of full-time jobs and a hideous family court experience, A.L. Berggren started to write a fictional story - The Secret of the Crying Minds.
Read Author A. L. Berggren's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the JUL-AUG-SEP 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (LITERATURE). Download/Order the full issue here.
5. 'HOW TO BE A BUDDHIST MILLIONAIRE' - BY AUTHOR MATT JARDINE
Matt Jardine, award-winning author, podcaster, martial arts teacher and entrepreneur has spent 20 years seeking the answer to one of life's ultimate conundrums: how can we lead an authentic, spiritual and creative life in a relentlessly money-centric world?
Inspired by Paulo Coelho (author of the Alchemist) and driven by dissatisfaction with the day-to-day grind, in 2007 Matt embarked on a journey to the Japanese island of Shikoku.
Amidst mountains, coasts, and bamboo forests, he walked one of the world’s most sacred trails—The Eighty-Eight Temple Pilgrimage-in search of answers to life’s great questions. What he discovered transformed his life and became the subject of his debut book, ‘The Hardest Path'.
In his latest book, ‘How to be a Buddhist Millionaire- 9 practical steps to being happy in a materialist world’, Matt expands on his previous work. After arriving home from his life-changing pilgrimage he quickly realised that those he’d left behind were still unhappy. One particular area of dissatisfaction was with their work lives. He began to ask people the question, “If I gave you a million pounds, would you go to work tomorrow?” Eight out of ten people answered, “No!”
With almost a third of our lives spent in the workplace, it seemed to him a waste of life for one not to do work they truly love. The seeds of ‘How to be a Buddhist Millionaire’ were sown.
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BOOK REVIEWS
'Take a leaf out of Matt's book; free yourself of the fear of money and start living the life you want.' - Moatez Jomni, British Paralympian
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR MATT JARDINE
Matt Jardine is a fiction and non-fiction author, podcaster, entrepreneur and teacher. His previous books include Mo and Lucy - Choices, a children's picture book that teaches the importance of decision making, and The Hardest Path, inspired by his 88 Temple pilgrimage of Japan.
His latest book, 'How to be a Buddhist Millionaire' won the Firebird book award, was selected as a finalist for the Eric Hoffer Book Award and received the highest recommendation from the US Review of Books.
He is a Londoner born and bred, but now travels the world writing and public speaking (mostly online during the COVID era). He says that different countries, cultures and points of view help him get a better grasp of the things that drive and inspire humanity. They also inspire ideas for his writing.
Former tennis pro and coach to the Royal family, he has always followed his passion in life. After practising meditation and other Eastern arts for over 25 years, he developed a successful chain of Shiatsu clinics (Japanese therapeutic massage) before going on to build an award-winning Martial arts school to train up-and-coming combat athletes. He is also the host of the ‘Buddhist Millionaire Podcast’. The podcast is enjoyed by listeners in thirty countries around the world.
He now lives in the Middle East (Oman) with his wife and Jack Russell Terrier, Smudge, writing novels. His debut novel, set in South West England deals with the subject of ‘Mind over matter medicine’. His 2nd, set in South Africa, deals with the complexities of peace and reconciliation in a time of violence and hate. The third looks into the tragedy of teenage suicide. The release dates are yet to be announced.
Read Author Matt Jardine's interview with DE MODE & about his upcoming book in the JUL-AUG-SEP 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (LITERATURE). Download/Order the full issue here.
6. 'STALKER STALKED' - BY AUTHOR LEE MATHEW GOLDBERG
Lexi Mazur is a depressed, alcoholic, pill-popper whose only joy has become her reality TV shows, often fantasizing that the people on TV are a part of her world. After her boyfriend Steve leaves her, she fixates on the show Socialites and its star Magnolia Artois, following every facet of the girl’s life on social media in the hopes of befriending and becoming more like her.
But stalking isn’t new to Lexi. She ultimately won over her ex Steve by following and manipulating every minute detail about him so he’d fall for her. In fact, she landed her other ex-boyfriend Jeremy in the same way. Being a pharma rep, she’s used to manipulation to get doctors to buy her drugs, along with the perk of saving pills for herself. But what happens when the stalker gets stalked?
Recently, Lexi has felt someone watching her: in her apartment in Queens, at her job. At first, she thinks her mind’s playing tricks, but the watcher is behaving just like she would. And soon they begin leaving threatening clues like she starts to do to Magnolia once her obsession grows more dangerous. Is it one of her exes out for revenge? Her only real friend from childhood whom she’s always had an unhealthy rivalry? A detective who may have figured her out? The reality star Magnolia trying to turn the tables? Or even someone she might not know?
Lexi learns the only way to beat her stalker is to use her own stalking prowess to outsmart them at their own game. But has she finally met her match? Get your copy of 'Stalker Stalked' today.
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BOOK REVIEWS
What an awesome read - Janalyn Prude
Lexi is an alcoholic an avid stalker. All is well in her world as she has conversations with reality TV show personalities stocks them on social media. That is until she realizes she is being stalked and true to Goldberg’s style it keeps you turning the pages. Lexi is a mess but not so much of a mess that she can’t stock her stalker, But who is stalking Lexi could it be Magnolia after she finds out Lexi got cast as a friend on her reality show social lights and may be responsible for her latest scandal or could it be officer Azlee or maybe one of her ex-boyfriends? The list is not short and Lexi is well with you will not get out of this unscathed. This was such a good book, I think I would read anything that this author wrote even if it was a recipe he is not good at. From the ancestor to the tutor to this book they’re all just awesome and five star reads and this is no exception I completely recommend this book to anyone who likes dramatic situations with a few lol moments thrown in. What an awesome read!
Lee Matthew Goldberg is an artist of substance who makes a powerful impact on the reader. Very highly recommended. - Grady
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR LEE MATHEW GOLDBERG
Author Lee has always been a writer since he was a kid, working on stories and most interested in English class when learning about literature. His first book 'Slow Down', a Neo-noir thriller about a director who wants to make it in Hollywood, was published in 2015. He had a few short stories in magazines prior to that. In 2017, his novel 'The Mentor' was published with St. Martin’s Press about a college professor reunited with a former student who’s now a big editor and makes his life a living hell when the editor won’t publish his novel.
This was followed by 'The Desire Card' in 2019, which dealt with a Wall Street executive who is diagnosed with liver failure and attempts to get an organ on the black market. Over the last year, he had five books coming out. 'The Ancestor' in 2020, which was a thriller like my first 3 novels, but also historical fiction set in present-day Alaska and during the Gold Rush with a dash of Sci-Fi. At the beginning of 2021, 'Orange City', his first full science fiction came out along with a Young Adult series called 'Runaway Train' is about a girl in the 1990s who dreams of being a grunge singer. The sequel Grenade Bouquets about the rise and fall of her new band will be out August 5th with a third book along the way. Finally, his thriller 'Stalker Stalked'about a stalker of a reality TV star who discovers she is being stalked by a mystery person will be published on Sept 17.
In addition to novels, he has also been active in screenwriting. His pilots and screenplays have been finalists in numerous screenplay competitions. One of his novels is currently being developed as a film off of his original script. He is writing the Young Adult series Runaway Train as a TV show and right now there is a director attached. Author Lee is also working on Stalker Stalked as a feature film, but that hasn’t been finished yet.
Ideally, he wishes to write both novels and scripts for the rest of his career, always adapting his own work and making sure it gets a chance to be read and seen in both mediums.
Read Author Lee Mathew Goldberg's interview with DE MODE & about his upcoming book in the JUL-AUG-SEP 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (LITERATURE). Download/Order the full issue here.
7. 'NOTEBOOK MYSTERIES - EMMA' - BY AUTHOR KIMBERLY MULLINS
Six-year-old Emma Evans and her family suffer a devastating loss during the Chicago fire in 1871. A few years later Emma is viciously attacked while trying to help a stranger.
Now in 1881, in the 10 years since the Great Fire that devastated much of Chicago’s business district, the rebuild had begun and Emma is turning 16 years old during this turbulent time. Her family has opened a bakery and she’s become a skilled baker. Desserts are a key part of Emma’s life. As a talented baker, she enjoys making them and delivering them to customers on her routes. In the book, food is a reward for a job well done, bringing family together and furthering her adventures.
Though she enjoys baking, she grows restless and bored. Emma watches the delivery boys coming in and out of the shop, picking up deliveries they would be taking into the ever-changing city. She is envious of their freedom and the ability to have adventures. Her Papa has been expecting the request but has concerns that have to be addressed before he will agree. She soon convinces him to let work on the delivery wagons dressed as a boy to hide the fact she’s a girl. He is reluctant but knows he has prepared her for the future by hiring specialists that trained Emma in self-defence and other skills she might need. During this time Emma learns that she has a particular talent for knife-throwing - sometimes at targets, sometimes not.
Throughout the novel, Emma learns about the city-wide criminal organization. Two mysteries concerning her own family, and an answer to the question of who attacked her are resolved. Emma’s sharp observational skills lead her into danger and she'll have to use all her knife skills & self-defence to find her way through.
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BOOK REVIEWS
A Whimsical, Sentimental, and Compelling historical Mystery! - Vampire Hunter.
The Notebook Mysteries: Emma, is written in an endearing style and quickly draws the reader into the lives of 16-year-old Emma, her elder sister, father, extended family, and friends. Emma's mother, Mary had died tragically in the Chicago fire of 1871. Emma works in the family bakery but dreams of more exciting work. Emma's habit of writing her observations down in her black notebooks leads to adventure, danger, and the unearthing of dark secrets. The author thoughtfully included recipes for the bakery treats referenced throughout the story. This teen/YA historical mystery novel was a delightful read!
Couldn’t put the book down
I was so excited to get this book. Started reading and couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happened next. Can’t wait for another book to continue Emma’s adventures!
Great story
My 14-year-old and I both read this book. It was a very good story that we both enjoyed. My daughter loves to bake so loved the added bonus of the recipes. She is looking forward to reading the next one. I would recommend this book for you girls in their teens.
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR KIMBERLY MULLINS
Kimberly Mullins is the author of a series of books called "Notebook Mysteries". Her first book 'Notebook Mysteries ~ Emma', was released in March'21. Her second book in the series 'Decisions and Possibilities' is coming out on August 24, 2021. A series of more than 10 books.
She lives in Texas with her husband and son. Her husband is her alpha reader for all of her books. Another close friend beta reads all of her books and gives her the drive to continue. Her husband and son do provide the inspiration for some of the characters in her books. They continue to offer suggestions as to what the characters are involved in. Their suggestions are often considered and mostly rejected. Her son turned 26 this year and will only read the novels when they are completed and in book form. He just finished book 2 in the series and says that he liked it high praise.
She is from a large family; she has three brothers and 1 sister. She is a third-generation Texan. Her mother’s family moved to Baytown to follow the oil production for Humble oil, now Exxon-Mobile. She is the first in her immediate family to graduate from college. She met her husband while working in a fast-food restaurant to help pay for their college tuition.
She holds a BS in biology and Masters Degree in Business. When she is not writing she works as a Process Safety Engineer at a large chemical company. She has published technical papers on Risk and works with serval committees on Process Risk. Technical papers have editors and final proofreaders, but they are not as satisfying as completing and publishing a novel.
Her stories are based on historical events occurring in 1871-1883 Chicago. The time period is fascinating, all of the changes occurring to women and children. The laws were shifting at the time both protecting children and allowing women to move into more careers. She writes characters where the women are more independent than history reflects. Some women chose to be housewives but she wanted to show that not all did and many thrived in careers.
Find more from her desk at www.kimberlymullinsauthor.com
Read Author Kimberly Mullin's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the JUL-AUG-SEP 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (LITERATURE). Download/Order the full issue here.
8. 'DREAMS LOST AND FOUND - BOOK 1 (THE HOME DUET)' - BY AUTHOR NIKKI A. LAMERS
Samantha Voss loses herself after the unexpected and tragic death of her adoptive parents, the only parents she’s ever known. She immediately leaves college and moves home, craving something familiar and hoping it will bring comfort. After nearly a year and a half of feeling numb and just going through the motions of living, she gets a wake-up call, pulling her back to reality and prompting her to realize change is not only what she really wants, but also what she needs.
At nearly twenty years old, she decides she wants to search for her birth parents in hopes of finding out more about where she came from, with faith it also might help her decide who she wants to be and what she wants to do with her life. When she receives a package of paperwork from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, providing her with some of the information she sought, she’s rewarded with unexpected answers along with unending questions. She finds additional letters from her birth mom in the package, prompting her to make a spontaneous decision to move to the small town of Chance, Wisconsin near Madison in search of her birth father, hoping he will be able to give her more answers.
Will Samantha and Brady be able to find their way through their new reality together or will the future and the past be the things that end up tearing them apart? 'Dreams Lost and Found' is book one of two in The Home Duet. 'Finding Home' is book two in the duet. These books do need to be read in order and both are available now! Although the inspiration for this book originated from my own adoption, and my own search for my birth parents, Samantha’s story is a work of fiction and it is nothing like my own.
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BOOK REVIEWS
An emotional read...!!! - Peter Bash
Some books make you feel so close to the characters that you start leading their life or just feel them a part of your life. ‘Dreams lost and found’ by Nikki A Lamers is one such book. Samantha an adopted child loses her parents in an accident at the same time she gets the documents and related papers from the adoption centre she was picked up from informing her of the death of her biological mothers shattering her even more. The letters from her birth mother make her move to an unknown city in search of her biological father. This city has something more in store for her. She becomes friends with Cody her roommate and Cory, Cody’s brother. Brady who is Cody’s roommate is a handsome young charming boy who gets attracted to Samantha. Samantha too falls for him. So there is a love story between the two with some hick-ups in between at the same time search for Samatha’s father too picks up pace. Some emotional moments of letters from Samantha's mother come in between the story. The story moves along picking up its pace as the characters develop in each chapter. It’s a lovely story and a lot more is in store as you read it further... Will the love prevail between Samantha and Brady? Will she be able to find her biological father? Will life be happy then after or will she face challenges? Find out more by reading this beautiful story. Language is lucid and visual imaginary. I really enjoyed it thoroughly.
A Romance, and So Much More - LSO
Some of my favourite books are those centred around a love story where there are deeper things going on with the characters, and this book is it. Scroll to the second photo for a synopsis, but it was impossible not to fall in love with Samantha. She has experienced so much loss in her life, and she packs up to leave it all behind and move to a small town in Wisconsin in search of a birth parent, and so much more. You'll fall in love with the small midwestern town, Samantha's apartment, and the friends she meets along the way. When Samantha meets the handsome man across the hall Brady, she opens herself up to him and the struggles and grief she's experienced. Dreams Lost and Found is a romance novel, but it's more than that too. It's a story of the complexities of adoption, finding oneself, and where we belong in this world. The author states in her biography that she was adopted as an infant, although this story isn't about her. My life also involves adoption, as I became a mother for the first time through adoption and someone else's loss. I was sucked into that storyline and the emotions that come with adoption, both good and bad. I read this book over a weekend and fell in love with Sam and Brady. The book ends with such a twist, that as a reader, I can't wait to buy the next book in the series to see what happens next. I highly recommend this book and invite you to Chance, Wisconsin to fall in love with love.
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR NIKKI A. LAMERS
Nikki A Lamers resides in Long Island, New York with her husband, teenage son and teenage daughter. She grew up in Wisconsin, where her Home Duet takes place. She has always had a passion for writing and creating her own stories, especially romance and was thrilled when she published her first book, The Unforgettable Summer in 2014, which is book one in The Unforgettable Series. Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone novel, but it’s better to read in order. Her stories incorporate various life experiences people encounter, both good and bad and show how those things can impact different characters decisions and interactions in their lives.
She focuses on mostly contemporary romance but enjoys writing in other sub-genres, as long as there’s romance. She’s met some incredible authors from around the world whom she has worked with on various collaborations and hopefully, we will be able to see some of these works published down the road.
Besides having a degree in creative writing and writing for children and teenagers, Nikki also has a degree in Community Health Education with an emphasis in child and youth care from the University of Wisconsin, as well as a “Ducktorate” degree from Disney University in Managing and Communicating when she did a college program working for the world-famous mouse in Florida. She uses knowledge and experiences in her stories, keeping the information accurate, such as in The Home Duet, the main character, Samantha is adopted, just like Nikki was adopted when she was a baby. Her experiences with finding her birth family prompted the story that started with book one, Dreams Lost and Found & then concluding with Finding Home. Nikki has also had the opportunity to work on-set with Gemelli Films as a script supervisor with the cast and crew for several productions. Most of these television and film projects have a romance focus, while some may have only a piece. She also plans to spend more time travelling in the future.
Read more from her desk at www.nikkialamersauthor.com
Read Author Nikki A. Lamers's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the JUL-AUG-SEP 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (LITERATURE). Download/Order the full issue here.
9. 'FAITH AND THE BELOVED' - BY AUTHOR KOCHERY C. SHIBU
Faith and the Beloved, from the author of Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar, is a riveting saga of love, lust, betrayal, intrigue and revenge.
Naithy Cherozil is a rich and successful businesswoman from Mumbai who marries the young and handsome model Tony D’Souza after the death of her spouse. Little does she know that the ideal sex slave of her husband is the sleeper cell of a terror outfit. Events in her life take unforeseen turns as the male Mata Hari is activated.
Prem Rollands is a ‘Kalari’ exponent and a brilliant student whose world revolves around his brother Arun. Things go awry when the police kill Arun under mysterious circumstances. Prem kills the inspector in retribution and is on the run. He is on the lookout to find the dark secrets leading to Arun’s death. Prem must avenge those who have plotted to kill his brother.
Eighteen-year-old Alice Cherozil knows more about computers and mystery games than a girl of her age. Her life falls apart when her mother is hospitalised and in a coma. She is playing the ultimate mystery game of her life as the web of secrets surrounding two precious diamonds and her stepfather threatens to destroy her family. She overcomes the moral dilemma to kill her stepfather. Alice must outwit the underworld and stay ahead of all to save her mother’s life or the guilt of her failure will haunt her forever.
As the lives of Naithy, Prem and Alice cross each other they must retain their faith and protect their beloved ones, even at the cost of their own lives. The story is all about love, lust .money and revenge. It has 2 parallel plots going on and to tell in short one is about Naithy and her daughter, Alice while the other one is about 2 brothers, Arun and Prem. Alice had killed her step-father and his people are behind her to kill her while on the other hand, Arun has been killed and Prem is convinced that his brother was murdered.
Get your copy now!!
DIRECT LINK TO BUY THE BOOK IN INDIA - CLICK HERE
DIRECT LINK TO BUY THE BOOK IN ALL COUNTRIES - CLICK HERE
BOOK REVIEWS
A Crime-thriller that will not let you put down the book
A great read
Faith and the beloved
It is a thriller with so many stories
A Great Intriguing Novel.
A unique narrative
Best crime thriller!!!
Revenge and Retribution goes side by side
Masterpiece in Crime-Thriller-Suspense
Fast-paced crime thriller
Amazing book
For Those Who Love Triller
Awesome Book
I personally love it. Worth reading. Read more.
Nail-biting suspense thriller.
Worth Reading.
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR KOCHERY C. SHIBU
Kochery C Shibu, the bestselling and award-winning author of Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar, graduated from the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, in 1981. He has served in the Indian Navy and commanded two warships.
Post his retirement, he has executed hydroelectric projects in the Cauvery River basin in Karnataka, Beas River basin in Himachal and Teesta River basin in Sikkim. He holds a postgraduate degree in Defence Studies from Chennai University and MA in English literature from Pune University.
Author Shibu has changed track from the snow-clad mountains to the blue oceans and has been associated with the setting up of a shipping company in India. Faith and the Beloved is his second book. Many of the characters in the novel are inspired by those who the second book. Many of the characters in the novel are inspired by those whom he has encountered during his extensive travel. Kochery C Shibu was born in Kochi, Kangarapady and now lives in Bangalore with his wife and daughter.
Read Author Kochery C. Shibu's interview with DE MODE & about his upcoming books in the JUL-AUG-SEP 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (LITERATURE). Download/Order the full issue here.
10. 'HAPPINESS SOLVED - CLIMBING ONE HUNDRED STEPS' - BY AUTHOR SANDEE SGARLATA
Happiness Solved, Climbing One Hundred Steps, is a no-nonsense guide to help readers determine their own level of unhappiness and the steps they can take to find the peace and happiness everyone strives for during times of stress, uncertainty, and chaos that we all experience in today’s world.
We are at a crossroads in humanity. We can either continue to hate, or we can choose love. To choose love, we have to be happy from within.
We have to love ourselves first to make an impact in this world. If we are all feeling negative, it is going to spread in ways we cannot even comprehend. Instead, we need to choose to love ourselves first and learn to love one another. Only then can we change the world in which we live.
Life happens (while we are busy making other plans) and it can be challenging to maintain a sense of peace and happiness. Sandee details her own experiences and life-altering tragedies to demonstrate that no matter what the reader has experienced and no matter what their daily struggles are, they can achieve a happy life. There are suggested daily exercises that will help the reader begin to create lasting change so that when life happens, they will have the necessary tools to be able to get back to and maintain a sense of peace and happiness.
Sandee was twelve years old and could not have been happier as she climbed the one hundred steps from the river dock to her house, only to learn that her older brother had tragically died while serving in the US Army. It was just one of the defining moments in her life. Facing death has been the underlying theme of her life and the catalyst for her never-ending search and desire to learn how to maintain a sense of peace and happiness. This is especially true during times of stress, uncertainty, and chaos that we all experience in today's world.
Sandee is sharing her own no-nonsense way to create lasting change so that no matter what you have gone through and no matter what your daily struggles are you can learn how to get back to a state of peace and happiness. From the moment she learned about her brother's death, she began her quest to get back to that place of happiness she felt at the age of twelve. There is no guarantee how long you have left. Your life will pass you by in a split second. How do you want to spend every day while you are still here? Life is too short to delay the climb!
Get your copy now!!
DIRECT LINK TO BUY THE BOOK IN INDIA - CLICK HERE
DIRECT LINK TO BUY THE BOOK IN ALL COUNTRIES - CLICK HERE
BOOK REVIEWS
You can be happy despite real-world challenges. - Cogentenvoy
As a person that has read many books on self-help and self-improvement, I was very curious given the title - “Happiness Solved”. More than just another self-help book written from a clinical or academic perspective, filled with platitudes and/or statistics, Happiness Solved is an introspective, transparent and very personal approach to happiness, based on the author’s real-world life experiences. I’m so glad to have purchased this book and will recommend it to many, many others.
Great Self-Help Read - Mark Trevor
Just opened, then read (cover to cover) Happiness Solved written by Sandee Sgarlata Addison. Dealing with the recent loss of my father, it was a timely read for me. Sandee courageously opens up and lays bare the tragedy and loss that she experienced in her life and the concrete steps she took (and still takes daily) in order to heal. In her book, she details specific tools to improve your life and change your perspective on situations. They amount to a wonderful formula to make you a better person and, along the way, find and keep happiness in your life. Thank you, Sandee, for writing this book.
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR SANDEE SGARLATA
Sandee Sgarlata is an author, certified life coach, public speaker, retired U.S. national and international figure skating coach, and has spent the past 20 years helping people create lasting changes in their lives.
Due to several tragedies that deeply affected her, along with hitting rock bottom with drug abuse in 1990, she has spent the last 30 years in her own quest to find and maintain a sense of peace and happiness. Sandee is also the host of the Happiness Solved Podcast which can be found on 15 networks including Google, Apple, Spotify, and the Happiness Solved YouTube channel. Feedspot has ranked the Happiness Solved Podcast as #11 in the top 70 happiness podcasts.
Sandee has two group coaching programs: Happiness Solved for Everyone and Happiness Solved for Entrepreneurs. Both of these programs offer group coaching, 1:1 coaching, and an extensive online course that is constantly expanding.
More information is available on her website www.sandeesgarlata.com.
Read Author Sandee Sgarlata's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the JUL-AUG-SEP 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (LITERATURE). Download/Order the full issue here.
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[ Want more? Check out our list of 12 Must-Read Books Of This Summer]