Michael Phillip Cash

As a History major, I just had to find out what Michael Phillip Cash had to say about it. Of course, his protagonist spewed the overheard, "I HATE history!" You wouldn't at the college level, believe me! But, that isn't half of what Amanda Greene has to worry about. After her partying and her tumultuous hangover, the question is: is she dreaming her life or is she dead? Why is she dancing (spinning out of control) with Hitler, no...Nick, Hitler, no...Nick! And why is Aristotle her history show more professor? What is the dark shadow following her around?

If you like history or you HATE it, that really doesn't matter in this book. It is about Amanda, her choices, and how your past can affect how you perceive things going forward. There is one teacher, who isn't a bonafied teacher, that is so dear to Amanda's heart. This teacher tries to help Amanda deal with her dilemma by concentrating on what history is trying to tell Amanda about herself. This is one Mystery & Thriller, Sci Fi & Faantasy book that I very much got into. It is a short novella that you scan finish within one day. However, the impact from this book may stay with you for a much longer time. I had a blast reading it, and even more mulling it over and over again. Incredible!

Thank you to Independent Book Publishers Association, Members Titles and Netgalley for giving me an e-ARC of this book to read and give my honest review. show less

This is a fun little book that makes no pretensions to seriousness. Telly Martin is a nice guy who knows he loves Gretchen beyond anything else but otherwise knows very little about life. He is interested in playing professional poker playing because it sounds cool but, to be truthful, he is a horrible poker player. Gretchen loves him and wants him to get a steady job so they can raise a family but Telly is drifting. Until, that is, the ghost of Clutch Henderson, a famous poker player, shows show more up to guide Telly through the International Series of Poker. Telly hates this idea, while loving it a little, but Clutch threatens to engineer Telly's death if he doesn't cooperate.

It's a cute book that does not take long to read. There are some funny bits but no belly laughs.

I received a review copy of "Pokergeist" by by Michael Phillip Cash (Chelshire) through NetGalley.com. show less

The Battle For Darracia Saga continues as a majority of the key characters find themselves at a soul-defining crossroads for themselves and their entire planet. The tensions between the social classes on the planet of Darracia have now reached their respective boiling points. Peace talks between the Darracians and their nearest neighbors the Quyroo people have essentially collapsed with the assassination of the Quyroo ambassador. Crown Prince V'sair's villainous uncle Staf Nuen has also show more attempted to stage a coup to seize his brother's throne, but although King Drakko was assassinated and Staf Nuen escaped, his conspirators were captured and brought to justice.

As Darracia is being rocked by the waves of violence and societal turmoil, certain members of the royal family find themselves separated from each other and spread throughout the galaxy searching for a meaning to the death of a much beloved and benevolent monarch. Shaken by his father's assassination - and unsure how capable he will be in ruling a kingdom that he views as still belonging to the late king - Prince V'sair struggles to hold the fractured kingdom together. Despite being surrounded by many of his father's most trusted advisers, V'sair still feels extraordinarily isolated and alone without so many of his loved ones by his side.

V'sair's mother, Queen Reminda's own faith in the elusive Elements that have guided Darracians for centuries has been shaken to its very foundations. Although she grieves the loss of her husband, she remains steadfast in her support of her son as he contemplates his upcoming coronation. V'sair's stepbrother Zayden has spent much of the past year since his father's death searching for his uncle's whereabouts. He is on a self-imposed mission of vengeance - ranging from one side of the solar system to the other - determined to bring Staf Nuen back to Darracia to face justice; or die trying.

Reminda's handmaiden Tulani is trying to navigate both of her worlds, attempting to find the best way to bring them together. While she essentially grew up in service to the Darracian royal family - Tulani is still a Quyroo - and her family lineage requires that she leaves service to the Darracians to begin training among her own people. Tulani's grandmother Bobbien is in fact the High Priestess of her tribe, and she wants her granddaughter to succeed her. Tulani loves her grandmother very much and feels obligated to fulfill Bobbien's wishes; but she is also devastated to be leaving behind Reminda and V'sair - the only family she has ever really known.

The villainous Staf Nuen has gone into hiding after orchestrating the initial coup. Having lost his wife, only son, and youngest daughter in the coup, Staf Nuen realizes that his own life is essentially forfeit if Zayden ever finds him. Although that coup wasn't entirely successful - and his cohorts were dealt with appropriately - Staf Nuen is still determined to form other nefarious alliances with certain diabolical new allies elsewhere in the galaxy.

However, like the vibrant comet zipping across the horizon, all the various factions of Darracian society are heading into a direct collision course. They are heading along a path that will test the power of their belief in themselves, their planet, and ultimately, in the power of the Elements that have guided them for centuries. This is a battle that will test the boundaries of their faith and challenge the balance of power.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. While the plot definitely reminded me of Star Wars, the story was intriguing and highly original. I avidly wanted to know what happened next. I look forward to reading the conclusion to this trilogy; and give this book a definite A+! show less

Strengths of this book: Long Island references, because I live in New York. Otherwise, none.

Weaknesses of this book: Amateurish writing, inconsistent point of view, horrifically self-centered characters, and uneven horror elements.

The main character, Paul, is one of the worst fathers I've come across. He's lost his wife and the grief is all about him -- not a moment's thought is given to his three grieving children. He ships them off to a sister and is nothing but impatient and angry with show more his children's grief. He complains. I get it, you lost your wife -- but they also lost their mother. Get it together. Don't be a dick to your own children.

Paul also makes a lot of inappropriate offhand comments criticizing "transvestites" and other groups of people that add nothing to the story but make me dislike him. Ugh.

A star for Long Island references, but otherwise, avoid this book. It's not even close to the caliber of a good haunted house/ghost story. show less