Willowtree By Mike Bove

This story is set in the small fictitious Arizona town of Willowtree. Bruce DelReno is a retired U. S. Postal Service employee who is extremely passionate about his golf game. Ginny, his wife, is a nurse and they have a nine year old Golden Retriever names Keely.


After teeing off from the 7th tee box Bruce discovers bones off in the woods where he is angrily looking for his golf ball. He makes it known in the clubhouse what he has found and is contacted by Bill Hautsman PhD an archaeologist/anthropologist who is very curious to check out the bones. They arrange to meet for breakfast the next day and go out to the spot to have a closer look. Bruce brings Keely with him and as they are looking at the bones Keely makes a discovery of her own. She finds the dead body of a man who has been stabbed and pushed off a cliff.


Bruce can't get this mystery off his mind and decides to play detective and see what he can find out. He becomes even more determined after a second body is found in the same area. As he gets immersed in the case and aids the police in their investigation he finds himself caught in a web of secrecy that has been going on for years.


I enjoyed reading this book and felt as if Bruce DelReno was a friend confiding in me about his life and the investigation he was involved in. The supporting characters stand out on their own and I had a vivid picture of them and their involvement in this mystery. The cast of characters is extremely well defined.


I recommend this book to all readers who like to be drawn into a mystery as well as the lives of the characters involved. I believe this is a great read for young adults as well.

Out Of Focus By Nancy Naigle

5 Star Review

The small town of Adams Grove is home to Kasey Phillips a freelance photographer. She is concluding her shoot of country music star Cody Tuggle and can't wait to get home to her husband Nick and son Jake. On the day of her return home she learns that she has lost her husband in a terrible accident and her son Jake, who was with him, is nowhere to be found.

Kasey is destroyed by the news and is frantic to find her three year old son. Her dear friends Von and Riley stand by her side during this terrifying time and are determined to help her find Jake. Finding herself with no leads and too much time on her hands she agrees to go on tour with Cody to shoot pictures for his tour book hoping that she can keep herself busy and expand the search for her son.

At each stop on the tour Cody shows a picture of Jake and asks his fans for help locating him. Kasey and Cody embark upon a very special friendship that will stand the test of time. The last night of the tour he not only shows Jake's picture but has also written a song especially for her. As more time passes and her son seems to have disappeared without a trace, Kasey finally receives a tangible lead that takes her on a journey of hope, faith, betrayal and undying friendship.

The heartbreak and despair that are portrayed in the Author's writing will pull at you with such a force that you will not want to put this book down. The pace of the book is steady as the suspense keeps building until the very end. The characters depicted in this story are extremely well developed and you will feel a kinship
with them all. This story also portrays the true meaning of loyalty and friendship in times of happiness and great despair. The portrayal of friendships that exist in a close knit small town will make you yearn to live there.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to get lost in the characters and their story and also lets you feel the true value of loyalty, friendship and love. Most especially you will feel a mother's love and devotion for her child.

D. G. Torrens - Author Interview


It is my absolute pleasure to present my interview with Dawn Torrens Author of "Amelia's Story".

     How would  describe yourself and how does your description influence the way you work?

 I think the best way to describe myself is, I am very sincere, and very determined, I believe   you have to make the best of every situation you are faced with. But most of all always treat others how you wish to be treated yourself, and then you cannot go far wrong. I am mostly ruled by my heart rather than my head. How does this influence the way I work, well I believe I write from the heart, when I am writing my daily blogs or while I was writing Amelia’s story most definitely so. So yes the way I am as a person most definitely influences the way I work I would like to think in a very positive way!

                           Was writing Amelia’s Story a difficult process? 

     “Amelia’s Story” took me on the most incredible journey, I re-visited places I never thought I would again, I also discovered many new things I had no memory of that was very difficult. Though out of my research for this book I had to gain permission from the Social Services to gain access to my child hood case review reports, NSPCC reports, and care reports. I had to go to the records department in Shrewsbury based in Shropshire County; one of the children’s homes that I resided at had been converted into the records department. On Arrival there it really took me back to the past, the place was just the same as I had remembered, other than the bedrooms that had been converted into small offices. As a former residence they kindly gave me a tour of the place, it was so very strange being there as an adult it brought back many memories. They were very kind and gave me a room to my self to wade through the many boxes of paper work so I could photocopy what I needed too.

    Why did you decide to share your story?  

     Well that is very easy! My reason for this was my beautiful 3 year old daughter, she was my inspiration. I wanted her to understand the very hard road I had to travel before I got to where I am today. I also had wondered often how I would tell my daughter my story, it was such a deep and sad story, that’s when I decided to write Amelia’s Story for her to read when she is much older, and when I think she is ready. I also wanted to show people that a terrible childhood does not have to result in a bad life full stop, that you can go on to have a very successful and happy life if you want it badly enough, and that you don’t have to become a statistic.

      Where do you find your inspiration for writing?

      My inspiration comes in many forms; my daughter is a constant source of inspiration! I am also a lover of books and stories, I have always been inspired by many authors, and always intended to be a writer myself from an early age. I have a great imagination myself which helps enormously!

  What are you currently working on?      I have read hundreds of thrillers over the years by James Patterson, Patricia Cornwall, Richard North Patterson, John Grisham the list is endless, So I thought I would pen one myself.

  

Will there be a sequel to Amelia’s story?
Yes there most definitely will be a sequel, I am working on that too and that will be published during the summer 2012.

           Have you received any advice from other Author’s?

      I have received the most amazing advice from many authors I have had the privilege to connect with on twitter. They have been so helpful and supportive, it has truly humbled me. And many have become great friends.

          How was your experience with self-publishing? 

     Oh my goodness, very good question! As Amelia’s story was my first attempt at self publishing it threw me into a world I knew nothing about, in a short space of time I had to learn all about formatting your work for e-book before you can even submit it for down load in a manor that was acceptable. This I discovered was my weak area! The whole process was an experience to say the least! However it will be much easier next time as I know what I am doing now.

What advice have you received that has had the most influence on you?     

      Just recently a great friend and author gave me some great advice, he made me look at my writing from the readers point of view, he made me realize that if a reader has to keep looking up words that you had used in your story then it would break the flow of reading it for them. This was invaluable advice as sometimes we authors can be a bit too clever and use over intelligent words where there is no need to in place of a word that would be more easily understood by everyone.

    What do you hope you will accomplish as an Author? 

      Three things, firstly: Financial success would be great. Secondly: my dream has always been to set up my own children’s charity; I have had that little dream in the back of my head for many years! I am hoping I can put that plan into action over the next 5 years. Thirdly: To write great books that people will love to read as an author you cannot ask for more than that!

 Website http://dawnsdaily.com

Author Page : http://www.facebook.com/dgtorrens

Causes Page : http://RABMAD.com/authors

Books available on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com              




  Amelia's Story  By  D. G. Torrens
                                             5 Star Review

Amelia's Story by T. G. Torrens takes you into the real life story of a little girl who is brave beyond her years. Due to abuse and neglect Amelia and her siblings are places into the state care system where they are eventually separated from each other.

Amelia finds herself alone and scared and must endure circumstances that no child should ever have to face. From somewhere deep inside, Amelia has the courage and the will to dream of her future and to rise above her current reality and search for more.

This is truly a story that will touch your every nerve. You will fall in love with Amelia and find yourself cheering her on to realize all her hopes and dreams. This book was written with love and honesty and portray's the life of a little girl that will pull at your heart. Amelia's Story is a must read and is truly an inspiration.

Decades By Ruth Harris

   5 Star Review

This engaging Novel explores the lives of three very different women who evolved in three very distinct eras. The glue that binds these women together is Nat, husband to Evelyn, Father to Joy and Lover to Barbara. These three women find themselves joined by their connection to Nat. Each woman deals with their conflicting needs and the moral values they grew up with. Their struggles lead to a stunning clash that  will leave each one of them struggling with their own beliefs and judgments.

Barbara was married in the 50's and became the mother of two children. Her marriage was very traditional in the sense that she was expected to be devoted to her husband, her children and her home. Barbara felt that there was something more that she needed in her life to be fulfilled. She ends up divorced from a husband whose top priority is his work. She strives to become a single mother and also a force in the workplace. She struggles with relationships and trust issues until she meets Nat and becomes his mistress.

Evelyn is a classic product of the 40's and is married and extremely devoted to Nat. Her goal is to please him and make him and their home as comfortable as possible. They have a daughter and their differences in how to raise a child are a point of contention. Evelyn suffers from issues that were not talked about openly at that time and cause her to wrestle with her feelings and feel very isolated.

Joy is the daughter of Evelyn and Nat born in the 60's. She is very rebellious and her mother has a hard time dealing with her. Her father encourages her manipulative and outrageous behavior and also her hatred of her mother. Joy finds herself trying to deal with the permissiveness of her generation and searches for a way to find a life of happiness and satisfaction.

This book clearly interprets the role Women played, or were expected to play, during these turbulent times. The challenges and struggles that women faced in the past were considered taboo subjects and therefore the support and encouragement they needed was minimal at best.

Ruth Harris presents a style of writing that will connect you to each character and allow you to feel the emotions and struggles that they face. The story is fascinating and you will find yourself contemplating the characters in this book well after the last page is read. I recommend this book to all readers who wish to be engrossed in a story that has the power to transport you to the lives and expectations of women past and present.