Review by Melissa Cornwell

Here's the blurb for Petal Pusher:
In the years between the meteoric launch of Madonna and Courtney Love, Petal Pusher takes readers on a thrilling journey across rock-and-roll—from the bighaired 1980s to the grungefilled 1990s—when Laurie Lindeen brought her all-girl band Zuzu’s Petals to compete in the indie rock arena.

Minneapolis in the eighties was a musical hotbed, the land of 10,000 lakes and 10,000 bands that gave birth to Prince, the Replacements, and Soul Asylum. For Laurie Lindeen it was the perfect place to launch her rock-and-roll dream. She moved to the city with best friends Phyll (“Annie Oakley meets Patsy Cline”) and Coleen (“former cheerleader gone off the arty deep end”) to crash in decrepit apartments and coax punk rock from crappy used guitars. But unbeknownst to her friends, Laurie was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disability that fuels her passion to make it big on the local, national, and international rock scene. With inspiring determination, Laurie and her Zuzu’s Petals survive the many challenges of being underdogs in a man’s world. Laurie is thrown a curveball when she falls for Paul Westerberg of Replacements fame and reevaluates what it means to "make it big."

Always engaging, at turns hilarious and heartrending, Petal Pusher is an insightful behind-the-scenes look at music on the frontlines, and the aweinspiring tale of one woman’s triumphant fight against disease and the disillusionment of life in the rock underground.

This novel was a delight to read. It has all the components of a good fairy tale with a twist of real life. I think that all artists, in all sorts of professions, can relate to the struggles in this novel. The feeling of wanting to accomplish something in your life is something that everyone can relate to, but the feeling of wanting your work to be heard or published or viewed is something that the artist wants. Laurie Lindeen does a really good job of hooking the audience, and keeping it hooked. As soon as I was done reading the book, I had to look up Zuzu Petals on Youtube. It is a great story about overcoming obstacles, and knowing what you want to do in life. Then, life can throw some curves your way. I wish that I could have had some of the experiences that she went through. In addition, no fairy tale is complete without a little love and excitement in the personal life, and Laurie does not disappoint in that area. The romance spread throughout the novel is one of the best, which is that of meeting that special someone and developing a deeper relationship as time passes. The novel definitely touches chords in everyone, and I think that it is a novel that everyone must read, especially those in the arts. I also think it is a great novel for younger generations to read. I am part of an entirely different generation than the ones mentioned in the book, and it was interesting for me to read some of these events that happened in her life. It makes me want to go out and have some different experiences for myself. Petal Pusher is a fantastic novel to read!

Read More......

Review by Melissa Cornwell

Here's the blurb from Amazon:
Jeff Prince is in Dallas and becomes embroiled in a fight that ends with a death. He quickly becomes the prime suspect and is jailed. Prince unwittingly uses an attorney with a conflict of interest and draws a two-year sentence for manslaughter. His injustice grows within his mind like a festering sore. Known as stubborn and unyielding, he returns to the scene of his downfall when released. With help from a club waitress, he locates a witness to the fight scene. An actress, present at the fatal fight, refuses to get involved. Stymied temporarily, he seeks help from a member of the Dallas Homicide division. The old cop admits that a crime mob does exist and is growing. He must move with care in dealing with the mob, as they may have infiltrated the police department. Events unfold that provide a rosier view. Jeff's name could be cleared, his future looks brighter and love is in full bloom.

This book was very interesting and very easy to follow. I absolutely grew to love the character of Jeff Prince in his quest to prove his innocence. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to be in prison for two years knowing you are innocent. There was such a huge, complex cast of characters, and I have to say bravo to that. Jeff finds allies in unexpected places, such as Olin Miller and Katy. I like the romantic twist to the story. Jeff definitely deserved to have something good happen in his life.

The novel was very realistic and very well written. The complex story plots fit together very well. It was interesting to see the process by which Jeff went through to accomplish his goal; being in the thick of danger, but not afraid to keep pushing ahead. I think one of the biggest things I got from this novel was that if you want something bad enough, you will do anything to get it. It also means that you probably shouldn't get caught up with the mob. Very good image of what the mob does and it was a very interesting twist to the story. Out of everyone, I didn't see the mob as the ones responsible. Thank you for a very interesting read!

Read More......

Review by Melissa Cornwell

This is the first mystery I have read in a long time and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The book kept me guessing all the way until the end and then I was blown away by the ending. Wonderfully complex plot. I also liked the characters very much. Kyle might represent that side of fame that all parents and family want to see: a superstar athlete with morals. I also liked the plot with Karen. I adore stories where childhood friends become something more when they get older, and this was one of those stories. Also, I enjoyed the other members of the squad. They added an extra taste to the life of cops, especially Garcia.

In this story, we get both a look into an athlete's life as well as that into a cop's life. It was definitely a strange combination. I can honestly say that I have not read a story like it. I cannot imagine the research it took to write this book, but it was a job well done. I wanted to see more of the side characters developed, but for the length of the novel, they were well done. This murder mystery is great for those who read mysteries constantly, but I think it would be great for those just starting out in the genre, as it is very unique in the mystery it presents. I hope to see more come from this author.

Read More......

Reviewed by Melissa Cornwell

This book was absolutely amazing! Jeffrey Allen has created a world that is both magical and mysterious. The characters have the most extraordinary courage. Ellie and John represent a very important factor in everyone's life, and that is family. Their determination to find Marny is astounding. I was captivated at once by these characters, and by the plot of the novel. It hooked me in and didn't let go. I became enchanted by the Land and the characters there. I can imagine a colorful and wonderful world. The detail in this book is so exact. I felt like I was actually there in the book, traveling in the cars and tasting the desserts.

Jeffrey Allen takes a children's world and applies it to adults, reminding us that we are never too old to do certain things, and that we will always have that inner child. Children and their imagination should never be underestimated. Through John's character, we see that children are just as capable as adults, and that there are certain times where adults just don't get it. As I read this book, I remember that excitement and determination that I had as a child, as well as pure enjoyment of just doing something, which I think we lose as we become adults.

Excellent book! I look forward to more of Jeffrey Allen's work.

Read More......

Review by Melissa Cornwell

Here's the blurb from the book:
It's 1953 and disgraced scientist, now detective, Noel Glass works to redeem himself for an experiment that cost several lives. In walks a rich recluse who offers proof that Glass was framed. As he struggles to clear his name, Glass uncovers an organization bent on using his invention for world domination. Who can Glass trust when everyone is keeping secrets? From the desolate streets of Industry City to a showdown in Chi-town, Glass encounters death at every turn. He must rediscover the self he lost years ago and face off against a ghost he swore he laid to rest.

I really like the main protagonist, Noel Glass. He has his flaws besides possibly being responsible for his fiancee's death. He's a complex character, thrown into difficult situations. He doesn't know who he can trust. I can say that I couldn't see where this story was going, with all the twists. I love the details of the book, such as the processes by which Noel goes through to get him closer to his goal. There are so many characters too. The technical jargon also makes the book interesting. The obsession with DNA was fascinating. I feel as if I am actually in the scenes. I love the mix of politics and the breakthrough of science, as well as the representation of the political situation between the United States and Russia in the Post World War II times.

I absolutely loved this book. It was great to be able to read something that was written like this. I have never read the "pulp science fiction of the Forties and Fifties" and this was a great experience for me. David's characters were very in-depth as was the plot. I hope David continues to write books like these.

Read More......