P. Wish Rants and Reviews

I share my mundane rambling and useful book reviews on my blog. I will keep the reviews short and the rants long.

The Doppelgänger is Free on Amazon Kindle Store

The Doppelgänger  - P. Wish

My novel, The Doppelganger: A Psychological Thriller is available for free on Amazon Kindle Store until tomorrow. 

Hurry and download a copy here: http://buff.ly/22VreuG

Don't forget to leave a review when you're done.

Thank you! 

The Doppelgänger Giveaway!

The Doppelgänger  - P. Wish

I'm giving away 25 free copies of my upcoming novel, The Doppelganger on Booklikes. To enter, visit: http://booklikes.com/giveaways/show/2218/the-doppelganger-p-wish 

 

Blurb:

 

They say when you meet somebody that looks just like you, you die.

 

And Darcy just did.

 

Darcy Godfrey lives a seemingly normal life as a librarian in Chicago. One day, she comes across a blog that is filled with accounts of her past. The blogger, known as 'D', seems to know everything about her life- even things that Darcy cannot remember.

 

Things begin to go wrong when her nemesis is murdered, making her a suspect. Now, Darcy must find the person behind the blog before it's too late.

 

 

The book will release on the 24th of March 2016. Winners will be notified by 27th March 2016.

 

All the best to everybody who enters! 

Book Review: He Loves Lucy

He Loves Lucy - Susan Donovan

He Loves Lucy had an interesting premise which is why I picked it up. I can relate to the weight loss angle of the book and Lucy's determination. This one's an entertainer. I liked the milk duds loving Lucy whose sexual fantasies involve Lorna Doone cookies.

Lucy is funny, smart and sarcastic. While Theo's character was motivating and hot, I wish he had a bit more to offer when it came to romance. He seemed to be rather wishy-washy until the last minute. The side characters on this one weren't that strong (except the therapist, maybe). 

The best part about this book was the comedy. Compared to Public displays of affection, which was my last book by her, this one was more to-the-point. The heroine was strong and funny. Her transformation was very sudden (at least in the weight loss department) but the ending was satisfying. 

After finishing this book, I was craving every junk food there is especially Milk Duds and Lorna Doone cookies. 

Overall, this makes a good beach or plane read. 

 

Book Review: Public Displays of Affection

Public Displays of Affection - Susan Donovan

This book was my first book my Susan Donovan. I read about it online and decided that it sounded interesting enough to read. I felt that there was a lot of delaying/ pushing back of the climax. The last few bits were a bit rushed but overall, PDAs was a very good book. I've picked up the whole series since.
The heroine is very relatable. She is a small town 'good girl' who struggles with expressing her sexual desire in public mainly due to her marriage. However, the hero is all she needs to let that 'good girl' image go and surrender to her desires. I liked the annoying LoriSue and was wondering if she has a book of her own. Ned and Bonnie were also great characters.

The heroine was realistic and believable. The author explored an issue that usually doesn't get talked about often. I liked that she had her hangups and insecurities. 
Overall, a very good romantic comedy. Susan Donovan writes great romances with lots of humor. Will definitely be reading more books by her.

Book Review: Suddenly one Summer by Julie James

Suddenly One Summer - Julie James

Suddenly one summer is an easy breezy and entertaining read. Julie James' characteristic humor, sharp female characters, sizzling chemistry and witty dialogue shine through in this novel. I actually wanted to read a book about the relationship between neighbours- that's why I picked this up. The characters were well-rounded and easy to believe. They had their issues and Julie brought out the third dimension to their personality by discussing those issues.
My only complaint was that the book ended too soon. I feel the story could've gone on longer.
Overall, a satisfying, entertaining read. If you want some good romance and light-hearted humor, check this out.

Books Review: I'll be There by Samantha Chase

I'll Be There - Samantha Chase

So, I decided to start a series from the last book. Usually, it doesn't make that much of a difference in romance because all books in the series are stand-alone. Anyway, I'll be there sounded like an interesting story and I've never read anything by this author so I have it a shot. 

I'll be there is the love story of Zach and his assistant Gabriella. The story set in Portland in a business family sounds like the kind of thing country music lovers will like. The story is traditional American with a big family, interfering relatives and romance. I enjoyed the plot development even though I knew what was going to happen right from the first page. I wished the author used less of foreshadowing because the first chapter kind of gave it all away and diminished the friction in the hero and heroine's push and pull. 

I'll be there is well-written. If you're looking for something steamy and hot, this is not the book to read. I'll be there is predominantly focuses on love rather than sex. There are a few heated moments but compared to most mainstream romances, the author keeps it relatively tame. Sometimes, the heroine frustrated me with her masochistic tendencies but it was a good read overall.

If you want a feel-good romance novel to remind you of the old days, I'll be there is a good read. 

Books Review: #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso

#GIRLBOSS - Sophia Amoruso

I've been wanting to read this book for quite some time but the right time never came. Finally, I picked this up because I am in the process of launching my online T-shirt store and I thought to read about Sophia's experience in the fashion industry would help me. 

The book had me hooked from the first page. The tone of the book is so aggressive and pushy that it makes you feel like you're in a fast paced industry. The book is mainly autobiographical with Sophia recounting her journey. There are also quite a few useful tips on hiring, firing, getting hired, sourcing and expanding for those in the fashion industry and entrepreneurs in general. Though the book is titled #Girlboss, I think men could benefit equally from the book. There was no pushy feminist preaching. The focus of the book is more on work ethic and confidence. 

Overall, I enjoyed reading #Girlboss. Sophia is funny and motivational at the same time. The book motivated me to try harder and go for it. Even if you're not into these kinds of books, you will like it if you're fond of sarcastic humor and no-nonsense prose. The book was informative and entertaining. 

Book Review: Guardian Angel

Guardian Angel - Julie Garwood

Guardian Angel started out really well. It moved very fast and intrigued me. The love, the relationship development, and the back story were all good. But, around the mid-point, things went downhill. The book should have ended by page 150 because beyond the mid-point, the book dragged pointlessly.


I would read it for the first half but the second half was too long and unnecessary.

Book Review- Howdunit: Police Procedure and Investigations

Howdunit Book of Police Procedure and Investigation: A Guide for Writers - Lee Lofland

An excellent introduction to police procedure for crime writers. Lee gives you an insider's view on the various police departments and training procedures. His personal experience is invaluable as it helps any mystery writer add a touch of realism to their work. I found the book well-organized and easy to read. Since the book is organized into chapters covering different elements of police procedure, it is not necessary to read them in chronological order. The book is great for reference because I can come back to it any time and start reading any particular chapter that I require to write my book.

 

Overall, a well-written guide to police procedure that is great for those looking for an introduction to the American legal system and police procedure.

Book Review- Before I go to Sleep

Before I Go to Sleep - S.J.  Watson

This book had me hooked from the first page. Before I go to Sleep is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Christine, a woman who can't remember things for more than 24 hours. The premise is intriguing but what truly makes the book great is the author's delivery of the story. The plot flows smoothly and the pacing is excellent.  I've heard a lot about this book (it even got made into a movie) and have wanted to read it for some time. I went to the bookstore yesterday and found this one. I grabbed a copy of it along with many other books that I will soon be reviewing. I finished reading this book in one day. 

 

I started reading the book, thinking I'll skim through it but the words sucked me in. Before I go to sleep is fast-paced, well-written and satisfying. This is one of the best books I've read this year. The author's writing style is easy to understand and his description is impactful. He describes the protagonist's feelings and life very accurately and I was quite surprised to know that the author isn't a woman. 

 

Overall, this is a great book. I would recommend it to everyone especially fans of psychological thrillers. 

SPOILER ALERT!

Book Review: Choose Yourself

Choose Yourself - James Altucher

I finished reading this book two days ago and enjoyed it. I have been on the lookout for some good self-help/ motivational books with a business undertone. This book made it to many 'best business books' lists so, I decided to give it a shot. 

 

The first thing I'd like to bring up is the author's sense of humor. The book is easy to read because of the funny (slightly sarcastic) tone that the author uses. There were also many references to eating healthier, carbs and exercise. The daily practice that the book works towards was good advice. I especially liked the part about using the 'idea muscle' by making top 10 lists. In fact, I've been making those top ten lists every day. The book offers many practical suggestions on how to incorporate ideas into your daily life. The author also has a strong sense on self-employment and is critical about jobs. He makes many good observations on the changing nature of employment and industry. I mostly agreed with this part. 

 

The author also mentions many examples to prove his point. This is inspiring and helps the reader understand more about the issue. Some parts of the book sounded negative and regretful which is why I slashed that one star. However, the book is good for those who want to turn their dreams into reality. Overall, a good self-help book that I would recommend to anyone who wants to follow their dream. 

Book Review- Howdunit: Forensics

Howdunit Forensics - D. P. Lyle

If you're a crime fiction writer looking for a reference book on forensics, this is the way to go. This book is worth every penny you spend on it. In this book, the author takes us through the main elements of a forensic investigation. The book is split into three parts and eighteen chapters. The first part, containing two chapters explains the forensics system. The second part explains the role of the coroner, autopsy and its stages. This part was my favourite as it answered my questions about how bodies are identified, determination of the time of death, how the victim died, DNA analysis, blood and poisons. The third part covers what happens in a crime lab. Topics include fingerprints, bloodstains, impressions, arson investigations and criminal psychology. 

 

The book is very well-researched and presents information in a way that benefits writers. The author follows the line of thinking that a crime writer and I felt that helped make the book more accessible. Howdunit: Forensics is not the kind of book that you read in one go (although you can). I think it benefitted me to read the book in parts, focusing on the elements that were needed to enhance my mystery novel. In that sense, it's more like a textbook but a lot more fun. 

 

Overall, I recommend this guide to any aspiring mystery writer. Even if you're not writing about forensics, the information presented in this book will help you write better mysteries. The science of it is well-explained and somebody with an interest in biology and science would also enjoy this book. It's part of my writer's bookshelf now. 

Book Review- Book Launch Blueprint

Book Launch Blueprint: The Step-by-Step Guide to a Bestselling Launch - Tim Grahl

Book Launch Blueprint is a step-by-step guide on launching a book. First of all, I liked the book cover. Compared to the author's previous book, this one has tips that are easier to put to action. I liked the fact that this book explained exactly how to go about launching a successful book. The tips provided in the book are action-oriented and thus, helpful to new authors who may have little knowledge of how marketing works. As with the previous book, the author's focus is on mailing lists.

 

However, this one offers case studies and strategies that authors can implement. It also answers essential questions like how long before the book release should the author promote the book, how many e-mails is too much etc. The author also offers valuable tips on how to engage your audience.

 

Overall, a good read for any author who is about to launch a book. The book answered many questions I had about book launches. I finished the book in one go and would recommend it to self-published authors.

Fire up Your Fiction- Book Review

[(Fire Up Your Fiction: An Editor's Guide to Writing Compelling Stories)] [Author: Jodie Renner] published on (February, 2014) - Jodie Renner

Fire up your fiction by Jodie Renner is one of the best books on editing I've read in my life. Jodie advises to show, not tell and she demonstrates this admirably by showing authors how to correct common mistakes. The book was an eye-opening experience for me. 

 

Sometimes, even when you know you're wrong, you don't know how to correct it. Jodie guides the reader through the elusive process of polishing a book. If you're looking to improve your writing style or tighten your plot, get this book. If you've been told to show, not tell, get this book. 

 

Jodie's experience as an editor shines through in her work. This insight helps new authors who want to self-edit.

 

On a side note, I find the book works better for thrillers, mysteries and suspense than say, literary fiction or descriptive genres. I would especially recommend it to thriller writers. 

 

Overall, Fire up your fiction is an excellent resources for writers of all ages and genres. Must-have. 

Book Review- Private Arrangements

Private Arrangements - Sherry Thomas

This is the first book I've read by Sherry Thomas and I enjoyed it. Private arrangements is what one would call a 'second chance' romance. I have to admit this is my favourite kind of plot. 

 

The main characters past adds depths to the story. However, I felt, the conclusion was well-known from the beginning and there wasn't much real conflict. I enjoyed the author's creative use of similes and descriptive prose. The romance between the side characters helped add more charm to the story. 

 

The romance was satisfying and the story didn't have any major issues. 

 

Overall, a good read. I hope to read more from this author in the future. 

Book Review- Mistress

Mistress - Amanda Quick

Mistress is a book with an interesting premise. I've been binge reading romance novels for the past few days. After trying out The paid companion by Amanda Quick, I decided to give this one a try. 

 

Mistress is a well-written story. Though the logic in stammers, the emotion keeps it going. The story develops at a good pace. The characters are strong and the attraction is believable. The heroine is independent and unconventional, something all of Amanda Quick's heroines are. The hero is the classic Byronic alpha male. The romance and well as the passion draws you in. The story is high on sensuality and heat and makes a satisfying read. 

 

Overall, Mistress is a good historical romance novel that I would recommend to fans of historical romance.