Category: Book Reviews

Book Review -Cuckoo by Robert Kerins

First, I want to thank Robert Kerins and the Lewiston Writers’ Group for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Before I begin my review, I want to mention that this book may trigger some readers. This book contains abduction, date rape drug, rape with the intent of getting pregnant, etc. If any of these offend you this book may not be for you.

WOW!!! Robert Kerins really knows how to write a fast paced, jaw dropping, amazing crime novel that once you start reading you can’t put down. Even if you tried to put it down you just can’t. You need to know how it ends!! Robert wrote a never been written before story line that will just shock you to your core!! As a woman reading this you will feel for these women in the book and what they have gone through. You will be disgusted by the man behind it all. Overall, I now have a new favorite crime author and his name is Robert Kerins. I can’t wait to read his other books.

One thing I really loved about this book was all the references to places in WNY. I smiled at many of the places I go to like Tops, Tim Hortons (my favorite place to get Coffee), Toys-R-Us, Niagara Falls, DiCamillo’s, Leonardo’s Pizza & Subs, etc. I could visualize the places that he was talking about in the book seeing that I was familiar with them. That made me smile and feel more connected with the book.

This book started out fast and one of the scenes that hooked me in the beginning of the book had me biting my short nails. Having the woman’s body going over the rocks of the Niagara Falls. Being familiar with Niagara Falls I could picture this woman going over The Falls. Honestly, I could picture myself being that woman and going over The Falls. Granted she was found dead. But WOW the way he described it-I was in pain just reading it.

I am going to be very hesitant next time I go to Tops and interact with their employees.

This is one book that will stay with you emotionally and mentally way after you read it. I also feel strongly that this book would be great as a movie on the Lifetime TV Channel.

For More About Robert Kerins, CLICK HERE

 Heidi Lynn Simon, Consumer Book Reviewer

For More Book Reviews by Heidi CLICK HERE

Book Review: Tessa – Portrait of a Survivor

First, I want to thank Kathleen Kifer and the Lewiston Writers’ Group for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Kathleen Kifer is the strongest, spunkiest, toughest woman with a huge heart and the bravest Author I know to share her story in Tessa A Portrait of A Survivor. Kathleen has an incredible gift for writing especially when it came to telling her own story. You could tell by just reading it that she was passionate about what she was writing about because she lived it. They always say write about what you know and love. Not to mention by writing this must have healed her and put closure on some events in the book that took place.

Many people like myself who have never personally had a family member diagnosed with any form of cancer may be interested to read this book. They would have a better understanding of what a cancer patient goes through. There is a character whom I actually have a huge soft spot for named Chloe who got diagnosed with Breast Cancer. In this book Kathleen walks you through the stages of thinking you have the disease, to finding out you do, testing, treatment, etc. Plus, all the emotions, mental parts of it, and of course the physical. Not to mention how the family and friends react. Many parts I will be honest was hard for me to read and I cried. I never knew half of what Breast Cancer Patients went through. Nor did I know how fast it could spread and to other body parts.

One topic that was touched on that I feel strongly about not getting proper medical treatment because they don’t have health insurance. Everyone should have health insurance even if it is Medicaid. For someone who might have any type of cancer and not be able to looked at because they don’t have health insurance is just a crime!!

I was actually shocked to find out to save someone’s life from breast cancer spreading you need to remove the arm. My heart went out to Tessa at this moment in time! I could totally understand where she would feel self-conscious about as she called it her “stump” and didn’t want many people to see it. We all have insecurities about our bodies. Nobody is perfect. This just now makes her unique. So, I totally understood when she wanted nothing to do with the prosthetic arm! I loved how she stood up to the guy and how understanding Dr. Camden was.

One thing I liked about this book is that she mentioned a lot of places in Buffalo, NY. I too am from Buffalo, NY and smiled when places were mentioned that I knew of. Not many authors put Buffalo, NY locations in their book. So, it is nice to be recognized. Especially if it isn’t for the snow or the Bills loosing.

I love how Kathleen thanked the Lewiston Writers’ Group for supporting and encouraging her throughout every step of her endeavor.

It was pretty special that her friend Lynn Passanese posed for the beautiful cover of the book as Tessa.

For More About Kathleen Kifer, CLICK HERE

 Heidi Lynn Simon, Consumer Book Reviewer

For More Book Reviews by Heidi CLICK HERE