A Dose of Tia by Dina Mauro

A Dose of Tia - How a Woman and Her Rescued Dog Embraced Life Through Volunteering - and How You Can, Too.

I don't normally read animal stories, they usually have me crying throughout much of the story. But as a staunch supporter of animal rescue, whether retired working animals, abandoned pets or wildlife, when I was approached to do an honest review, I knew I had to take this one on. One reason is the full title (as shown in the heading above).

This book is written from the heart as a journal. It taught me many things, but mostly that your heart never empties. The more you give of your heart the more your heart fills.

Looking for something to fill her time as her family grew, as well as their three rescued dogs, Dina Mauro began to think of what type of hobby she could do that would include her dogs and her love of children. Perhaps volunteering at a childrens' hospital would give her what she needed.

As it happened, after training with her dog Tia, an English Pointer, as a pet therapy or visitation team, she learns that there is a five year waiting list of volunteers who wanted to work with children. Dina, though disappointed, sets out to think through her interests in life, and how they would fit best as a volunteer team. She tries various hospitals, nursing homes and finally hits on the Swedish Medical Centre.

This book is uplifting, full of wonder and humor as this team begins to realize that they take away more than they give in blessings. The gift of life, good or bad, the gift of giving, the gift of healing and being healed in return. Often we think of hospitals as a place of sadness and pain, but one thing I take from reading this book is that hospitals are very much alive, and those fortunate enough to have a visit from a volunteer team will find their spirits lifted.

With each report she puts in to the lead volunteer, Jim, Dina adds a note telling him what she has learned that day. A heart-warming story and one that could be just what a reader could be looking for. How to live a rich and full life and embrace it. This animal story was truly well worth reading for everyone. For me, I was taken out of myself, looking at life differently. For those wanting more information, Dina has included a few resources at the end of the book.

Blonde Demolition by Chris Redding

Published by Imajin Books
Reviewed from e-book

Bombs, carnivals, terrorists, romance and a past that returns with a vengeance.

Chris Redding knows how to start a book off with a bang, and the action never stops. Firemen, carnivals, fundraisers and the past all mix together into a wild ride.

When Firefighter Mallory disarms a bomb in the beer trailer at the fundraising fair, her action and cool head creates questions. How did she know what to do and why did she seem so calm? Out of the past comes her old partner from Homeland Security, a part of her life she had retired from, and none of the firefighters are aware of. Trey shows up hidden in her car, and he is under orders to bring her back into the fold. No matter her former feelings for Trey, it is going to be a hard sell, much of which Trey is unaware.

This book is packed with danger and action, targetting children as an act of terror, but targetting Mallory specifically. Who is aiming to take Mallory out of the equation? How can she be a threat when she is no longer working for Homeland Security and to who? Along with the ramped up action, there is still time for humor and love, but there is also a tug-of-war for Mallory's heart. Will she be able to overcome the deep hurt that Trey is not even aware he has caused and return to her past where she is needed? Or will she continue building on a budding romance with Jesse? This book will get the adrenaline flowing, questions will be answered in unusual ways, all leading up to a tense but unexpected ending.

Chasing Suspect 3 by Rod Hoisington

Our feisty protagonist Sandy Reid is back and about to face her most frustrating case yet. Excited to take on her first murder defense case, she is happy as a lark, but the sun sets too soon on this lark's happiness.

First she learns that faithful lover Chip may not have been so faithful.  She has found an intimate diary that describes far more about sex than she wants to know...especially since it is supposedly the extremely personal diary of Chip's "ex-girlfriend." From this point on everything goes downhill like a toboggan on ice, and learning that the woman of the diary is the sister-in-law of her client is the snow-bank Sandy crashes into. She finds it hard to focus on anything else.

In her usual go-for-it, sink or swim manner, Sandy is tackling a case that seems to commit itself to failing. Her client acts completely unaware of the trouble she is in, and half the time doesn't even appear to listen to what Sandy is asking or saying. Will this woman, in the midst of divorce with the deceased, be credible? Every time she opens her mouth something completely off-the-wall comes out. Is she delusional? Is she even aware that she is the prime suspect, possibly the only suspect?

Rod Hoisington has applied his heroine to a complicated plot and well-written story that covers more ground than one might expect; the case thought so simple swings around at a wild pace in different directions multiple times. Always intriguing, he brings in several new characters, some friendly, some dangerous, some you may want to wring their necks. Different jurisdictions play a part in the action, too. This is the fourth in the Sandy Reid series, each deals with distinctly different types of crime and villainy, and never disappoints. This one keeps its promise to the reader with a twisted plot and surprise ending. An entertaining and wild ride through the tantalizing legal world.

Dark Water by Chynna Laird

Published by Imajin Books

Chynna Laird has filled this many-faceted book with a story that mirrors so much of life and cuts very deeply into subjects relevant today. Suspenseful and compelling yet heart-warming. A young mother disappears shortly after her husband is killed on a peace-keeping mission in Afghanistan and the book centers around her family, her friends, and even the community where the family summers every year. Many of the lake campers start talking about an old Indian legend about the Watcher of the Lake. Clues are found, but they confuse the issue even more. Some are locked away in the mind of her youngest daughter, Sage, who  has not spoken a word since her mother disappeared.

This is but a small issue in a larger one because Sage suffers from a specific type of SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder). Her mother is/was a clinical psychologist, well versed in taking care of her younger child all while teaching her older daughter Freesia what works, what doesn't, and how to calm Sage in one of her terrors. Freesia is 16 years old as the story begins one year after her mother's disappearance and the girls are living with their grandparents. Fortunately for them, they are in a good family situation with their grandparents. Full of fun and mischief, yet caring and comforting, they too are able to work with Sage. When a lone girl who seems familiar begins to show up watching Freesia more than she is comfortable with, they finally have it out and become friendly in a way. Mizu wants to help look for clues.

The reader may feel they have a grip on who committed the crime, now upgraded from a disappearance. But there are so many possibilities. The peace-keepers on the mission with Freesia's father all have issues. All have been treated by her mother for PTSD. While it was called a mysterious disappearance, all kinds of rumours surfaced. Now it is surmised to be foul play, anyone might be suspect. Nothing is really as it seems.

This is not just a murder mystery, there are too many odd sequences and discoveries. Who is Mizu, how does she find clues others miss? I found a lot in this book to keep me glued to the pages. I love learning something new, and also have an interest in SPD. With so much going on the storyline could easily have been lost, but it is all held together with personalities, relationships, the feel of the lake and forest, sailing and swimming, living normal lives during a time when there is precious little normalcy. Aside from the background of the mission in Afghanistan, this story takes place in Canada, I loved the book through all its passion, trauma, laughter and love. That is what life is about after all, don't you think?

Silly Frilly Grandma Tillie by Laurie A. Jacobs

Illustrated by Anne Jewett
Published by Flashlight Press

Grandma Tillie is everychild's imagination with her many personae. Sophie and Chloe, her granddaughters, love their baby-sitter when they know it will be Grandma Tillie. Laurie A. Jacobs seems to know exactly the kind of Grandma children will love to play with, because when Grandma Tillie comes, she is not alone. She is anyone and everyone and a barrel of fun. Anne Jewett has done a fine job of creating the perfect image of Grandma Tillie with her illustrations in this hard-cover picture book.

She might be Tillie Vanilly, Chef Silly Tillie, or maybe Explorer Chilly Tillie. Whatever or whoever Grandma Tillie is, she is an entertainer and story-teller, a Grandma that any young child would love to have. An endearing childrens' picture book, lovingly created in words and illustrations, bound to be a hit.

Pobble's Way by Simon Van Booy

Illustrated by Wendy Edelson
Published by Flashlight Press

Pobble's Way is a delightful picture book that tells an enticing story. Pobble loves to take magical walks through the woods around their cottage, especially between supper and bedtime with her Daddy. With rich imagination and beautiful illustrations, we follow them on their path. Everything is magical as they go along.

It is winter and there is so much to see. Mushrooms become frogs' umbrellas, But when Daddy picks her up onto his shoulders, something soft and pink falls from her pocket, and now the animals find something magical, wondering what this can be. With snow on the ground and the trees bare, each animal tried to decide where this came from.

This is a colourful adventure picture book for youngsters, written beautifully and the pictures will hold their attention as they follow the story along. I happily recommend this book for young children. This is Simon Van Booy's first children's picture book. Read it to them and enjoy it along with them. I'm sure it will become a favourite.

Dead Mans Hand by Luke Murphy

Published by Imajin Books  

Luke Murphy's debut fiction kept me off-balance most of the way through the book. I was surprised with the beginning and equally surprised by the ending. This high-powered, fast-paced murder mystery is placed in the city that doesn't sleep, Las Vegas. Plenty of suspense and few clues which tend to lead nowhere. Which suspect can be trusted, is there a rogue politician or cop in the mix that might be suspected of complicity? This is the theme that will keep the police hog-tied as corruption rears its oversized head. It quickly becomes a series of murders that will keep the reader(s) on their toes. Cut to the bare bones, the mystery of the crime seems to be easy to solve, but is it?

From the title it is obvious that the story revolves around gambling and casinos. Too many casinos, it would appear. One lone cop in charge of this case, Detective Dale Dayton, believes in the innocence of the most probable suspect, Calvin Watters. At the same time, his sergeant continues to draw a few lines he can't cross. Dayton does not appear to have a winning hand, not even a full deck. About this time the reader will question who is actually on the right track, because the murderer hasn't stopped at one death and time is running out.

There are several twists and turns in the story. Just when you think you've got it right, you're thrown another curve. The characters are so well-drawn that the reader will easily be double-guessing who did what, when and where. How many have been set up to take the fall? Who is pulling the strings that tie the hands of the homicide division? Are these really "perfect" murders? An exceptional first novel, gritty storyline to sink your teeth in, wonderful characters to root for or against. Excellent first book in what hints at the possibility of future adventures with these unlikely characters. I certainly hope so, this could be a fascinating series! Kudos to Luke Murphy, great job!