Tag: Reviews

Gothic Horror Fans: I Got You!

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A Book Review

The Keeper of the Key by Nicole Willson. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

This book review feels rather special to me. Why? The author is a writer I grew with as we both wrote fiction for a publication on Medium called Hinged.press, formerly, The Weekly Knob. I always envied her delivery and the way she weaved tales of horror and thriller stories. She is a beast with the pen and has this uncanny way of shoving years of hauntings and mysteriousness into compact vignettes that anyone can enjoy.

We were both featured in the publication’s “Author’s Gold” segment and you can find our features here and here. What I love about Nicole’s writing is she creates believable characters any of us can be or may have been in the past. She pulls you into their lives and then tragically scares the living shit out of you just as you’re learning to love who they are. Every time I read one of her books, it’s a wild ride, which is icing on the cake of writing.

Below is the review I did for her most recent novel, The Keeper of the Key:

“I Felt Connected To Rachel & Her Family

And I know it is because the author, Nicole Willson, made them so believable and relatable.

The Keeper of the Key is a page-turner with wrath, vengeance, horror, gore, love, and resilience blended into every page.

I found myself yelling with Rachel and siding with her regarding her insouciant stepfather, Geoff. I cheered Gram on when she set her daughter, Tara straight about marrying Geoff too soon.

Morgan House is a terror and Nick is the reason. I knew from the beginning he would be trouble, and Nicole doesn’t disappoint. That house needed to wither away in ash form, and I was happy it did.

Towards the end of the book, I wanted to rip Nick’s eyes out and throw them away. I was rooting for Rachel and the many ways she manipulated him and maneuvered herself away from him in the end.

She, her mother, and grandmother survived turmoil and their ultimate demise.

If you’re looking for a thriller with a touch of gothic horror mixed in, I highly recommend The Keeper of the Key.

You will be jolted and thrashed into a world of mysteriousness and of a haunting good time.

Be forewarned!“

Tidepool and The Shadow Dancers of Brixton Hill are two other books authored by Nicole. I’ve read and reviewed them both. I vouch for this writer. She is in a class all by herself. And when you read her work, you’ll definitely understand why.

Her Substack.

Childhood Trauma: You’re Beating It

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A Book Review

What Happened To You? Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Some medically charged books help and there are some that harm. I can attest that this one has helped me.

Authored by the incomparable Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce D. Perry, What Happened To You? Conversations On Trauma, Resilience, and Healing is a page-turner. I highlighted passages, made notes in the margins, and became one with illustrations, diagrams, and charts. There is a plethora of useful information as it pertains to childhood trauma and how we advance in life from it as we age.

Below is the review I shared on Amazon and Goodreads:

“I Now Know Why I’m Resilient

And if you are a survivor of childhood trauma, maybe this book can help you understand why you can “bounce back,” and “endure” things even when you begin to believe there’s no way you can.

Reading What Happened To You? by Dr. Bruce D. Perry and the phenomenal Oprah Winfrey opened up a few windows to my heart and tapped into some areas that needed care and tenderness. I survived a whole heap of mess that could have been so much worse than it was, and I am glad it wasn’t.

Learning who we are and why we act the way we do starts with assessing what happened to us. What caused us to grow up with hardened hearts, lack of trust, unwillingness to love, fear of the unfamiliar, etc.?

This book dives into the many functions of the brain post-traumatic experiences and various methods geared toward healing and growth.

I love how both Dr. Perry and Oprah tag-team each scenario and offer their view of them and a way to move past the incidents and become somewhat whole again by learning how to regulate ourselves and gravitate toward safe spaces and environments.

If ever you feel as though you want to know more about why you continually hold on when you want to let go, reading this book is a great way to glean additional information about how you’re wired and why.

It is worth one’s time and attention, and you will certainly learn more about living through childhood trauma and how to maintain a positive outlook and a sustainable adulthood.”

Sometimes, we need a bit of guidance and a path we have not yet taken to show us who we are and why. This was “my yellow brick road.” Maybe you can benefit from it, too.

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

Séduire Fans Photo Collage #3

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The Lovely Ones who purchased their copy of Séduire, Part III. Photo Collage Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt. Individual photos provided by the beautiful ones holding up their copy.

I won’t bore you with what I have to say about Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction. I’ll let these few reviews detail exactly what you can expect from this creative work of art of mine . . .

E-Book Reviews screengrab:

E-Book Reviews screengrab. Click on the image to make it bigger.

Paperback Reviews screengrab:

Paperback Reviews screengrab. Click on the image to make it bigger.

Again, I am overjoyed by the success of this book so far. I am appreciative and grateful for those of you who have decided to plunge into my restless mind. I do not take it for granted. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, truly . . . thank you!

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

Remembering My Happy Place

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A Book Review

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

When I was a child, before I became an adult before my time, it didn’t take much to put a smile on my face. I was active; I played sports, read many books, did a ton of writing, and watched movies/famous television shows.

And of course, I tore up and down the city streets with my friends, but I ensured I was inside before the street lights came on.

So, it’s no wonder, I would find myself nesting inside my happy place while reading Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is a beautiful place to be, and while I’m in my forties now, I feel a stronger connection to all things pure & serene.

Below is the review I did for this incredible work of fiction by such an amazing writer who was well before his time:

“Reading This Brought Back So Many Memories

And I was in my happy place for the entire reading of this book. Roald Dahl was such a master of words and personification. He truly painted so many vivid and distinctive images in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

This book is a stress-reliever. I laughed and slapped my knee at some of the verses shared by the Oompa-Loompas of the mischievously selfish and rude children. Everything about the book transported me to my grade school years.

I imagined myself in the children’s shoes; taste-testing many of Mr. Wonka’s unique creations and drinking from a chocolate river. My sweet tooth was ignited with every turn of the page.

It brought back so many memories of enjoying Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. I found myself linking some of the scenes in the movie to a lot of the scenes described in the book.

I knew I would enjoy every moment of reading this book, and I am glad I did so.

If you feel like being nostalgic and traveling down old roads of yore, I recommend Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You’ll definitely be happy you went along for the ride!”

During these current times, while fires blaze and wars continue to rage on, we could all use more happy places.

Honeysuckle Heat Is Full of Passion & Heartache

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A Book Review

Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Recently, I read Michele Lee Sefton’s novella, Honeysuckle Heat, and was left feeling a bit bothered by both characters. Before you ask, this is a good thing.

I had become invested in their love affair, their actions, and the one-sidedness and obsessiveness of their relationship. I felt bad for Matthew and total contempt for Jacqueline. Michele developed layered characters who are believable and easy to relate to.

Here is the review for it:

“Short, Sweet, & Devastatingly Good

Honeysuckle Heat is a novella that starts off passionate and strong but rolls into details of a man obsessed with a woman who appears to be self-centered and narcissistic.

Matthew, I thought, was such a layered character who devoted his love, time, and care to a woman, Jacqueline, who only seemed satisfied when the world revolved around her.

I thought the author did a great job sharing their personalities and crafting their story around the occurrences surrounding their complicated relationship.

I felt sorry for Matthew because he was so blinded by Jacqueline’s beauty and body that he couldn’t tap into how one-sided their brief reunion was.

I was happy with the turn of events at the end. It was unexpected, but definitely comforting to read. It leaves me wondering what will happen for both of them in the near future.

This is another great read by Michele Lee Sefton, allowing the reader to see the sensual side of her creative mind.”

If you’re a fan of sensual, passionate, love/like/lust, this book is one you should read. You will definitely become just as invested as I did.

A World of Limitless Dreams

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A Book Review

Flit Flutter Float by Gail Boenning Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Gail Boenning is a writer/artist I became acquainted with on one of my used-to-be-favorite writing platforms, Medium. She is intentional with her word selection, fluid in her delivery, and a great artist, too.

I reviewed another book of hers in December of last year—POISE: Facing Cancer with Grace and Resilience, but did not share it here. You can read it via Amazon by clicking on the link. But here is a blurb about it just to heighten your curiosity:

Gail’s story in bite-sized vignettes was helpful and fulfilling. I felt as though I was walking right along with her throughout every phase, but not directly–indirectly. I was an outsider looking in, and I enjoyed my time spent there.

It was of no surprise to me that Flit Flutter Float (a playful guide) would be just as enjoyable. I was wOWed, sent to my #happyplace, and remained there the entire time.

The review:

“A Bit of Sunshine During These Gloomy Days

Gail never ceases to amaze me! I am happy to see her take her art to a whole new level. In Flit Flutter Float, she offers 33 fun, philosophical, and witty micropoems that remind us to be limitless.

For each poem, there is an animal with a suitable name, a quirky dilemma, and an airtight solution. The illustrations made me smile, and I connected with a number of the poems shared. I would venture to say the book is definitely for ages 13 and older.

Some of the references may go over the younger ones’ heads, but I am certain anyone can take delight in the art shared.

I could read this over and over again, and I have this feeling, I would never tire of it.”

If you need some light reading with a playful air about it, too, I highly recommend Flit Flutter Float.