The Scarlet Ribbon
by Anita Dawes (author) and Jaye Marie (editor)
“Scarlet Ribbon” is a story that made me wonder about the afterlife and what is in between. Maggie was out with her husband when she was run down by a car. She ended up in a coma for two long years, but her time became relative as she found herself in a strange place. Her body was in the hospital, but her mind or soul was experiencing a different reality. While she was under, she could see what her husband was doing and was taken to other worlds and the past. She wanted to help, especially a young girl. There was cruelty and a blissful existence that coincided in the different places. As she seeks answers to her dilemma, she finds out more than she wanted to about how sheltered a life she had and people’s true side. I have always wondered what goes on when people are in a coma, and this was a fascinating idea of what could happen. There never seems to be one simple answer or outcome to Maggie’s desires. I love her determination to do what is right, but within her new world, I felt her confusion as she bounced from one situation to another. I was rooting for the person she connected with on the other side. The story picked up the pace when she emerged from the coma, and work began for her to heal and try to remember. The ending was a surprise but didn’t feel done just yet. I hope there are more versions of her life to come and I will be reading them.
I read and loved “Old Mountain Cassie” and was eager to see where Ms. Penrose took us next. Abby was coming home from a trip when she found herself in a place that wasn’t on her map. The town’s name, Charm, is fitting as she meets the people who live there. She quickly finds out she can’t leave the town and starts the journey to find out why. Nash is the town’s single and handsome mayor who offers her a place to stay with him, his sister, niece, and nephew. The town has a fairytale-like quality to it filled with beauty and unexplained happenings. What Abby finds in this place is its important to find one’s true self. I was completely enmeshed in the story when she went forest bathing with Nash. This is something I do that brings me great peace in my own life. Part of Abby’s journey were things I have explored, while the rest—I only wish I could. A peaceful read, with delightful characters, and a surprise or two thrown in. It is a place I hope exists and would love to run across in my travels someday. A book I can highly recommend for those, like me, who are taking or looking for that unique journey in life.
by J.Q. Rose
Jim and Gloria leave their frigid winter home yearly to reside in Citrus Ridge Senior Community and Golf Resort, Florida. Jim is a first responder who sees some unusual and gruesome deaths. This leads to an entire community trying to figure out what is happening. Their group of friends was as varied as you would expect in a retirement neighborhood like this. There were good friendships, humor, and plenty of activities mixed with a few surprises. I would never have guessed the killer or how it was being done. A fun read with realistic characters and a setting that held my interest until the end.
UPDATES:
There will be no post next week, I’ll be on vacation celebrating our 39th Wedding Anniversary! June Book Reviews Part 2 is moved to June 20th. I will be quiet over vacation recovering from my book release, my daughter’s and redoing book covers. At least I finally sat down and learned some programs, like Affinity and Vellum.
That’s why I’ve been mostly quiet. My focus was elsewhere and a headache or two cropped up.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!
Embrace your inner child with a huge hug by reading a great book! D. L. Finn
Huge congrats to Anita, Tonya, and J Q on these great reviews. Wishing you all the best for your 39th anniversary, Denise! 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony 🙂 I’m looking forward to celebrating.
Happy 39th Anniversary! Good luck with your latest projects and well done on leraning new programs.
Thanks, Darlene 🙂 I’m so glad I finally started to learn those programs.
Excellent reviews. Wishing each author all the best.
Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary. Enjoy your celebration!
Thank you, Staci 🙂 Our anniversary is wedged inbetween our grandson’s graduation and granddaughters birthday.
You’ve got a busy future! (At least it’s busy with all good things.)
Yes, it’s nice to be busy with good things, I agree.
Hope you have a wonderful vacation.
Thank you, Craig. Looking forward to some relaxing time.
Wonderful reviews. Congratulations to each of these authors.
Happy anniversary, Denise. Wishing you many more.
Thank you, Beem 🙂 I hope for many more too.
What a great group of reviews. Janet’s really drew my interest. Clicking through…
Thanks, Jacqui. Happy reading.
Some interesting books this month, and great reviews. Hope you enjoy your time away and Happy Anniversary!
Thanks, Joan 🙂 It was quite a vary of reads. I’m looking forward to the time off and celebrating our anniversary.
Super reviews, Denise. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John 🙂
Fabulous reviews Denise.Tonya’s book is waiting on my Kindle. I must check the other two. Have a wonderful anniversary celebrations!
Thank you, Balroop. You have some good reading ahead with Tonya’s story. I’m looking forward to our celebrations and time off.
Wonderful reviews, Denise! Anita’s book makes me wonder what happened to a friend’s wife who was in coma for many many years before she died. He visited her in the convalescent home every day during those days.
Happy 39th anniversary. I got the email of your new release. Congratulations!
Thanks, Miriam 🙂 I wonder the same thing, what happens in that state.
Can’t wait to celebrate and enjoy a vacation after a release week!
Happy 39th anniversary, you two! Are you going anywhere special? It’s our 38th anniversary on the 16th but I think we’re doing what we usually do, spend time in the garden 🙂
Congrats to all the authors on the wonderful reviews.
Thank you, Jacquie 🙂 Happy 38th to you! Very close in both days and years. No big plans, we are staying close to home with our older pup who is feeling her age. Might sneak off and do a Harley ride, but will be out in our garden too 🙂
Three wonderful reviews, Diana. And happy 39th, that’s awesome!
Thank you, Priscilla:) Looking forward to celebrate!
Thank you for sharing these reviews, Denise. “The Scarlet Ribbon” really appeals to me. We all wonder about the afterlife.
Thanks, Jan 🙂 Yes, we certainly do wonder what happens after or durimg a coma. It’s a subject I want to tackle at some point.
Thanks for these reviews, Denise. I’ve read several excellent reviews of The Scarlett Ribbon.
Thanks, Robbie. It is a very interesting take on a coma and the other world.
Enjoy your vacation Denise. And loved your reviews and recommends. And yay, For some reason I couldn’t find you blog, but I came here through your newsletter! Signed up now. Hugs xx
I did, Debby! Have another in July too! Yay. I’ve had issues with signing up to follow blogs and they disappear. Happy you found your way here. Hugs xox
<3 x