Review: The Scent of Butterflies by Dora Levy Mossanen

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on April 21, 2014
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Book Description:

A novel singed by the flavors of Tehran, imbued with the Iranian roots of Persepolis and the culture clash of Rooftops of Tehran, this is a striking, nuanced story of a woman caught between two worlds, from the bestselling author of Harem, Courtesan, and The Last Romanov.

A Love So Deep Can Forever Scar the Soul

Such audacity she has, Soraya, a woman who dares to break free of the diamond-studded leash of her culture. A woman who refuses to accept the devastating betrayal her husband has perpetrated. A woman who refuses to forgive her best friend.

Soraya turns her back on Iran, fleeing to America to plot her intricate revenge. The Shah has fallen, her country is in turmoil, her marriage has crumbled, and she is unraveling. The cruel and intimate blow her husband has dealt her awakens an obsessive streak that explodes in the heated world of Los Angeles.

Yet the secret Soraya discovers proves far more devastating than anything she had imagined, unleashing a whirlwind of unexpected events that will leave the reader breathless.

My Thoughts:

Sorry this review took so long for me to post. Time got away from me. I think my quote above of the book description from Goodreads gives the reader a good idea of what the book is about, so I am just going to give you my thoughts.

The Scent of Butterflies is beautifully written by Dora Levy Mossnen. However, there were times where I just couldn’t get into it, yet at times mesmerising. I found the plot and the actions of Soraya a bit unbelievable. Yet the landscape and time (1970’s) of Iran captured so well. I do think The Scent of Butterflies is a worthwhile read because of the poetic prose and the landscape of Iran.

3/5

I received the ebook version for my honest opinion.

Apr 14

15

Review: Muffin Man by Stephan Collina

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on April 15, 2014
Posted in Books Read in 2014 • Uncategorized | Tagged With: Muffin Man by Stephan Collina, Political Thriller | 2 Comments

Publisher: Analytical Media, Inc. (October 1, 2013)
ISBN-13: 978-1480078062
Category: Political Thriller
Tour Dates: March, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 368 pages

The President’s wife has a premonition, setting in motion a transatlantic story of love, sex and betrayal.

Set against a backdrop of drug dealing, covert political manipulation and murder the Muffin Man is an authentic and atmospheric tale from the 1970s. Based on real events, the story begins with a premonition that leads to the formation of a secretive political organisation. The plot unfolds in twists and turns through the ordinary lives of innocents who are sucked into an accelerating and dangerous vortex of drug dealing, assassination and murder.

A former high-flying US Army Colonel, his alienated daughter, an accidental drug dealer, his beautiful but manipulative girlfriend and a corrupt police inspector all become sucked into the secretive organisation, initiating a succession of assassinations. Rewards lead to arrogance and an early death, or do they?

The “Muffin Man” motion picture is under development by Analytical Media. The scripting is now complete so expect further announcements soon.

My Thoughts:

Muffin Man is set in in the U. S. and UK. Ed, the main character, suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. His daughter, Anne runs away and works for a secretive organization. Then their are David and Louise who get involved in drug dealing all because a friend leaves his stash at their house and he is now on the run.

There is a list of colorful characters and it is fun to see how they are all interconnected as the story goes on. Muffin Man is an atmospheric thriller with drugs, sex and politics. The landscape is stark and contrasts the characters really well. Though Muffin Man is not an easy read, it is a great read and I highly recommend it.

4/5

I received the ebook version of this book for my honest review.

About Stephan Collina:

Stephan Collina grew up in the 1970s: a troubled time of recession, poverty, industrial disruption, political tension and terrorism. But for younger people, it was also a post-1960s wide-flared, drug-enhanced and extravagant-haired innocence.

Stephan later became a prominent businessman, acquainted with a number of high-ranking politicians. Stephen ran international technology businesses, spending a great deal of time in the USA and various European and African countries.

The Muffin Man grew from a combination of these unique experiences: his early knowledge of the sometime innocent business of drug dealing (although he never inhaled), and of the much dirtier businesses of covert political and military action, and of international business practices.

Stephan’s first novel explored the nefarious and complicated emotional and sexual relationships of a remote village in Wales, where he had spent his early years.

Stephan holds a degree in Philosophy. He is also a qualified commercial ship’s captain. He now lives quietly by the sea, and concentrates on his writing and related filmmaking activities.

Website: http://www.stephancollina.com/muffinman.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephan.collina
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephan_collina

Buy Muffin Man:

Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

Mar 14

29

Giveaway Winners Galore

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on March 29, 2014
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Thanks so much to all the authors, publishers, and publicists for all of the awesome giveaways! They are so much fun to host and I know my readers appreciate them!!
Thanks to everyone who entered the following giveaways! Winners, please reply to the email I sent you today within 48 hours to claim your books. After 2 days you will be disqualified and a new winner will be picked. Rafflecopter picks all winners using Random.org.