The Lost Concerto by Helaine Mario Review

Title: The Lost Concerto

Author: Helaine Mario

Publisher: Oceanview Publishing

Genre: Mystery

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Lost Concerto is a book that will send you on an adventure filled with mystery and romance.

Maggie O’Shea is the main protagonist; she’s a former pianist who gives up music following the deaths of her husband and her best friend, and the disappearance of her godson. Maggie’s life is put into further turmoil when she learns from the FBI that Zachary Law, her former lover and father of her son could be alive and connected to her friend’s murder. Together with the help of Colonel Michael Beckett, Maggie sets off across France to find the answers she needs.

Throughout her journey, Maggie uncovers secrets about all those involved in the case, including the reason for Zach faking his death and Victor’s dealings with stolen art and music. She also learns to love again as she spends time with Michael, even though they seem like opposites they bring out the best in each other.

What I loved most about the book is how well-developed the characters are, I was drawn to everybody and their back story. Maggie, even though she suffered great losses in her life, she proves that she can be a strong-willed woman. I loved her relationship with Michael, earlier in the story he comes across as someone with a tough exterior, but as the story goes on, he lets down his guard and lets Maggie into his world. Zach, at first I didn’t like him because of what he did to Maggie, but once I learned the reason behind his actions, I softened towards him.

There’s lots of mystery throughout the book to keep you intrigued, the plot twists were great and some of them will leave you shocked.

If you’re looking for a mystery novel filled with lots of action and a dose of romance, I suggest checking out The Lost Concerto.

Rating: 5 stars

Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm by Rebecca Raisin

Maple sugar kisses

Lucy would do anything for her mom…but she never expected to end up promising to leave her. After her mom got sick, Lucy dropped everything to take care of her, working all hours in a greasy diner just to make ends meet and spending every spare moments she had by her mom’s hospital bedside.

Now, Lucy is faced with a whole year of living by her own rules, starting by taking the first bus out of town to anywhere…

Except she didn’t expect to find her next big adventure just around the corner! Especially when on her first day in town she bumps into grumpy, but oh-so-delicious Clay amidst the maple trees. Surrounded by the magic of Ashford, Lucy has the chance to change her life forever and finally discover a life she wants to live!

Fall in love with Ashford, Connecticut in this dazzling and beautiful romance from bestselling author Rebecca Raisin.

Don't miss a single book in the Once in a Lifetime collection:

The Gingerbread Cafe Trilogy:

Book 1 - Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe

Book 2 - Chocolate Dreams at the Gingerbread Cafe

(The Bookshop on the Corner)

Book 3 - Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe

The Little Paris Collection:

The Little Bookshop on the Seine (coming October 2015)

The Little Antique Shop under the Effiel Tower

The Little Perfume Shop off the Champs-Elysees

Author Details

Rebecca Raisin is a true bibliophile. This love of books morphed into the desire to write them. She's been widely published in short story anthologies, and in fiction magazines. And now she is focusing on writing romance.

Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true love.

Come chat with Rebecca on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor

BOOK LINKS

AMAZON

KOBO

Lazy Lidz Sleep Mask Review

I received this product for free in exchange for an honest review.

I have trouble sleeping at night, I tend to toss and turn a lot and it can take me about an hour to fall asleep. After using the Lazy Lidz sleep mask, my sleeping has gotten better. The mask fits comfortable and the Velcro strap makes it easy to adjust it to fit your eyes. What I love most about the sleep mask is how it keeps light out, when I’m wearing it all I see is darkness and no light can peak through.

Since I’ve started using the Lazy Lidz mask, my sleeping patterns have changed for the better. I no longer toss and turn, and within a couple of minutes I’m fast asleep and sleep through the night. The sleep mask has been a great benefit to me and offers a great night’s rest.

Review: B & Me: A True Story of Literary Arousal by J.C. Hallman

Title: B & Me: A True Story of Literary Arousal

Author: J.C. Hallman

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre: Arts & Literature

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

“What is the purpose of literature?”

It’s that question during a Q&A with author James Salter that set in stone Hallman’s reading Nicholson Baker and the writing of this book.

B & Me focuses on the author as he explores the works of Nicholson Baker; at first Hallman struggles with reading Baker’s book U and I, often times just setting it down and forgetting about it. He begins to wonder if reading Baker and writing about the author is a bad idea. But once he starts reading Baker again, he develops a fondness for the author and sets out to read more of his books.

The author offers his deep insights as he reads all of Baker’s books and explores the meaning behind the theme of the novel. I have to say at first, I didn’t know anything about Nicholson Baker, but after reading Hallman’s descriptions of Baker’s books, I’m eager to read his work. Even though the majority of the book focuses on Hallman reading Baker, he does delve into his criticism of the literary world and how it’s changed over the years. Hallman makes excellent points by saying reading isn’t what it used to be and how libraries are prisons for books.

  

Hallman provides plenty of humor throughout the book as he sidetracks to details about his life with his girlfriend, Catherine. He writes about their adventures as they moved from New York to Paris to Maine. He also talks about Catherine’s support as he set out on his quest to read Baker. Even though most of his tidbits were funny, some pushed the boundaries of too much information and should’ve been kept private.

In the end, the author succeeded in his idea to write about Nicholson Baker and the literary world, and because of it he'll have people rethinking the way they view literature.

Rating: 4 stars

Cover Reveal: The Silent Treatment by Melanie Surani

Blurb:

Twenty-eight year old Katrina Jaitley is rebuilding her life after escaping an abusive boyfriend. The last thing she needs is the mystery she stumbles on during a bout of retail therapy. But she can't ignore the coil of film -- a piece of movie history -- she finds hidden inside her purchase. Unfortunately, Peter, the handsome host of the estate sale, disappears before Kat has a chance to return it to him.

Curious, Kat watches the strip and is shocked to witness the brutal murder of a famous 1920's silent film star by a fellow actor. When a news article cites Kat as the film's owner, her already complicated life goes from bad to worse. Someone is stalking her. Are they trying to silence her or what she has discovered?

 

Author Bio:  

Melanie Surani is a blogger, hair stylist, and author with a heart for international travel. When she isn't cutting hair, Melanie is thinking about ways to kill people (for mystery novels). She lives with her husband and cat in New York City, where she is hard at work on her next book with Booktrope Publishing. Melanie is a member of the International Thriller Writers society. You can follow Melanie’s adventures on Facebook at MelSurani, on Twitter @melsurani, and Tumblr at MelSurani.