Second Rate Groupies by Brieanna Robertson

Second-Rate Groupies by Brieanna Robertson is a book about three women who decide to take a week off and hit the road to attend five concerts by their favorite band the Escape. During this crazy week Robyn does a lot of soul searching when she meets Ethan…a security guard for the shows. He shows Robyn things and teaches her that its time to start taking some chances in her life.

Will Heather, Dee Dee, and Robyn make all 5 shows and get to meet the band, and will she start to realize that life is just passing her by?

I have to say I thought this was a really cute romance. It was about two people getting to know one another and didn’t have a lot of heavy sex scenes found in other romances.

Dee Dee’s character was a hoot to read and I love the fact that it also taught people a lesson. (To find out what the lesson is…you have to read the book). I also like that it was mostly based on fact. I hope Mrs. Robertson does more writing and that a lot of women will read Second-Rate Groupies.

4 bookmarks
Carol A. Langstroth, Manager
Mind Fog Reviews

The Charlie Factor by Diana DeRicci

In "The Charlie Factor" we have a M/M romance that involves two men who are fighting their attraction for one another. Charlie is a former fireman who was hurt when his own house was on fire. He suffered severe injuries not just to his body but to his mind. Enter one Gregory who just wanted to be Charlie’s friend as he is straight. But as time goes on Gregory isn’t sure about anything other than he feels attracted to Charlie? Will these two get over both of their issues?

I read the book and found it nice that they just started out being friends as that’s the way relationships are supposed to work. And the sex scenes were defiantly hot (you will need a hose to cool you down) and the difficultly in which Greg had to tell his parents was as honest as you can get. It has shown us almost the whole lifestyle of being gay, the good and the bad parts. I give Ms. DeRicci kudos for writing such honest book about a gay relationship.

3 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager
Mind Fog Reviews

29 Days…to Your Life Without Cigarettes by Richard Fast

Richard Fast's “29 Days...to Your Life Without Cigarettes” is the best book in his 29 Days series. While still a bit overburdened with poor citations and anecdotes, Fast's personal experience with addiction adds to the effectiveness of the program. The program, overall, seems more effective in its structure and approach than many self-help books. Best of all, it doesn't require a reader to engage in any other programs or strategies which may add prohibitively to cost. I would definitely recommend this to anyone wishing to break free of their addiction.


4 Bookmarks
Sara Messina, Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

29 Days to...Becoming a Great Listener and Communicator by Richard Fast

Richard Fast's “29 Days...to Becoming a Great Listener and Communicator” tries to show readers how to open their minds and listen, not hear, the people around them. Fast goes through the most basic mistakes people make, not paying attention, to some they do out of habit or poor sense of manners, like giving 'me too' stories. While his 29 day structure could help others bolster their abilities, it is unfortunately encumbered with a few too many anecdotes and studies with incomplete citations. I started to doubt the value of the data after the first few with vague references to sources. Furthermore, the main quiz in the book has an awkward format for filling it out.

I recommend this book for its main content, but I would recommend supplementing it with stronger works for a real test to those bad communication and listening habits.



3 Bookmarks
Sara Messina, reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

29 Days to...Your Perfect Weight by Richard Fast

Richard Fast has compiled a unique approach to weight management in “29 Days...to Your Perfect Weight”. Fast provides a psychological approach to breaking down the mental blocks which thwart would-be dieters. Instead of seeing a list of arduous tasks, Fast tries to help a dieter create a list of small, sustainable changes which lead to an overall healthy lifestyle. His process could work while trying to form any good habit, and his wife, Michele Bertolin, takes readers through more specific changes geared toward weight-loss.

Any one of Fast's “29 Days to...” books start with him explaining the psychology behind bad habits and why they are so hard to break. Unfortunately, you have to take most of this information on his word. While he does reference many modern authorities respected for their words on wisdom itself, or healthy eating, Fast does not properly cite any of his sources. With few exceptions, Fast's academic support relies on name dropping quotes, and when he does tie a work to the author, you'll find no information on where the bit of wisdom lies in the alluded pages. Moreover, the advice to speak to a medical professional comes late within the chapters; a scary thing seeing as how Fast never sets a guide for when to stop cutting calories.

Since his references are far too incomplete, I suppose it serves Fast well that his book also physically demonstrates his points. All the chapters are noticeably short and repetitive in their subjects. It gives a reader the feeling that they've divulged much more than they actually have. Moreover, readers spend more time on psychological reprogramming in the “29 days” than anything else, so the book ends in about your second week of initiating the small changes. Need more support? Just rinse and repeat the instructions in the last couple of weeks, or go to the online coach that will be there to help for a few months at the start of the rest of your life.

Overall, if you know someone who needs to get rid of a mental block to break a bad habit, “29 days” is a good start, but don't count on its directions to provide a comprehensive guide.

2 Bookmarks
Sara Messina, Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

Appalachian Justice by Melinda Clayton

Appalachian Justice by Melinda Clayton tells the story of a Wilhelmina Platte a.k.a. Billy May from the time when her dad died in the mines to her death and everything in between. It shows the ugly side of people as well as the compassionate side. It also has the lesson that people will help if you let them in.

I have to confess I love the format that this story is written in. It’s told from Billy May’s memories as she is dying. Sifting through her memoires is like reading a diary. The characters are well rounded and they jump at you throughout the story. When she is remembering the mountain itself you can picture it in your mind very easily. There were times (especially toward the end) that I felt I was there.

Melinda Clayton did a wonderful job and I hope to read more of her work.

4.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager
Mind Fog Reviews

A Review of Jonathan’s Cross by M.L. Gardner

Jonathan’s Cross by M.L. Gardner is a one of a kind historical fiction that one doesn’t see every day. Set to what I believe is 1929 when the big Wall Street crash happened. Jonathan is a broker who lost everything after the crash. His wife and his three friends’ families are forced to rent from an enemy of Jonathan’s. They take a job on the docks that they are not prepared for. Meanwhile Jonathan’s enemy, Victor, is doing anything to make Jonathan’s life a living hell. Will Jonathan and his friends survive their new life? Will they find a way out? And just what does Victor have up his sleeve?

I have been a huge fan of historical fiction since I was a teenager and Jonathan’s Cross has fed my addiction thankfully. It has action, and suspense, and you can feel the love that all three husbands have for their wives. Ms. Gardner brings all of her characters to life and brings wonderful details when she introduces more characters. I cannot wait to read the sequel to this book and I hope that that Ms. Gardner allows me the honor of reviewing the next one.

4.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager
Mind Fog Reviews