Speed Reviewing

 4 Stars!

A man recalls his life of addiction, abandonment, and anger as he faces death at the age of thirty-four. Told through the voice of one man, but written through the words of his brother - this memoir novelette describes the troubled life who was rejected by one woman at an early age but found solace in another. (from Amazon)

While I liked this book enough, the problem with it for me was that it was too short (about 90 pages). I really wish it had been 250 - 300 pages, then I think I would have seen more detail and the emotion I felt I was missing. I do understand why, the Author was not who this memoir was about - it was about his brother. It was brilliantly written in first person as though it was about the Author himself, and I had to seriously double check in the beginning to make sure I was correct, it was done that well.
I liked the way the flashbacks were written (because sometimes I do have a problem with this). It was easy to read and full of raw truth and honestly.
I would like to see the Author write a memoir about himself, what it was like growing up with a brother like this. It must have been very hard for him.
"You couldn't have done anything mama, I was the master of my own demise" I am glad the Author chose to add this. So many drug addicts blame others for their mistakes and their chosen paths of drug use. So I was relieved to see that he did at least understand that you are master of your own destiny. We all have choices in this life and unfortunately he chose the wrong path.

Gregory G Allen is an excellent writer and I do hope to see more from him in the future! Thank you so much for sending me an e-book copy of your book to read.
Visit his website - HERE

5 STARS!!!!!

It’s the dubious distinction of thirty-year-old Willa Jackson to hail from a fine old Southern family of means that met with financial ruin generations ago. The Blue Ridge Madam—built by Willa’s great-great-grandfather during Walls of Water’s heyday, and once the town’s grandest home—has stood for years as a lonely monument to misfortune and scandal. And Willa herself has long strived to build a life beyond the brooding Jackson family shadow. No easy task in a town shaped by years of tradition and the well-marked boundaries of the haves and have-nots.
But Willa has lately learned that an old classmate—socialite do-gooder Paxton Osgood—of the very prominent Osgood family, has restored the Blue Ridge Madam to her former glory, with plans to open a top-flight inn. Maybe, at last, the troubled past can be laid to rest while something new and wonderful rises from its ashes. But what rises instead is a skeleton, found buried beneath the property’s lone peach tree, and certain to drag up dire consequences along with it. 

I loved this book!!! This is exactly the kind of book I love to read. It sucked me in right at the first chapter and never let me go! I was so involved with the two main characters - Willa and Paxton, I didn't even know which one I liked better! I loved them both. It is really great and amazes me that an author can do just that - make you fall in love with both the main characters. I just wanted to keep reading and reading to find out not only what was going to happen in the little mystery but also to find out what was going to happen in their love lives, LOL (I'm such a snoop).
I own "Garden Spell" by this same Author but haven't read it yet... well now I am gonna get to it ASAP!

4 Stars!!!!

Fresh from being betrayed by one of her closest friends, new reality-television celebrity Jane Roberts has learned a few lessons. Most important: know who to trust. And in Hollywood, that list is short.
Although the press is intent on creating a tabloid war between her and ex-friend/current-costar Madison Parker, Jane just wants to take control of her life. She’s started by swearing off guys and the drama that comes with them. But when her high school sweetheart Caleb and her unrequited L.A. crush Braden show up, both acting sweeter than ever, Jane has a hard time remembering her no-boys rule. . . . 
Her best friend, Scarlett, has only one guy on her mind: her new boyfriend, Liam. The girl who once thought love was a four-letter word is now head over heels. The problem is, being on a hit reality show means hanging out with other guys on-camera, and Liam isn’t too happy with pretending to play a bit part in her love life.

 This was a delicious ending to this fabulous serious. I loved it. The AKA name should be fun, fun and fun! This book offered even more naughtiness from these girls. These are very simple books, it doesn't take much thought to read them. I read this one in a day! But if you are looking for something to take your mind off things and just to have fun, these are the books for you. Even after 3 books, I am not ready to say good-bye to Jane and Scarlett. I really wish there was a fourth book coming out, but I don't think there is. I really surprised myself, talk about going out of your comfort zone... Normally I would have never read books like these. But I picked the first one (L A Candy) at the giveaway library at my mom's. I almost didn't pick it up, but thought "What the heck..." I ended up buying the last two off Amazon, I couldn't get them fast enough! Maybe I should go out of my comfort zone more often!