I can’t wait to share these Indie books with you. I just know you’ll love them as much as I did:
- Orion’s Gift–two people, estranged from their mates, find a second change in Mexico
- Desolation Bluff–what would you do if the best day of your life was also the worst?
–a note about my reviews: I only review books I enjoyed. I need to be inspired to write. That’s why so many of my reviews are 4/5 or 5/5
Orion’s Gift
by Anneli Purchase
I’ve read several of Anneli Purchase’s excellent fiction books (read my reviews for Julia’s Violinist and Marlie). They always have interesting characters who get into trouble and then figure out how to get out of it. As I get to know them, I like and respect them, and start rooting for everything to work out well (I like happy endings). Orion’s Gift (2012) was one of those. It is a delightful story about dreams, love, loss, heartbreak, rejuvenation, and new beginnings. Sylvia is in the perfect marriage with a handsome man every woman wants, except he just happens to be a wife beater who barely likes her, much less loves her. Kevin works endless hours trying to kickstart the family bookstore despite his wife’s constant complaints, bullying, and no help. He realizes he’s spending time at the bookstore as much to get the business going as to escape his hopeless home situation. He receives a healthy inheritance that allows him to escape. Both pack up their cars with basic necessities, grab what money they can, and flee to Baja, Mexico, hoping the slow life of a wanderer will put dreams and hope back into their lives. Along the way, they find each other. Both are wandering with no particular goal. Both like art and drawing. Both want nothing more than to find out what life can offer other than disappointment, lies, and stress. They fall in love but can’t escape their past. How they finally do find their way to a future is a satisfying read that reminds us all that romance can’t be planned. It just is. And true love can conquer all.
Highly recommended for those who love happy romances that end well.
Desolation Bluff
by Toni Pike
In Toni Pike’s Desolation Bluff (Chapman Reid Publications 2019), blind romance writer, Oliver Cameron, has the good fortune of miraculously regaining his eyesight. He can’t wait to tell his beloved wife, Vanessa, and best friend, Ray, about his good fortune. Before he can do this, he finds them in bed together, professing their love. He decides to continue to pretend he is blind so he can see if this is simply a bored fling or something else. It doesn’t take long to figure out it is the latter. Oliver decides to play with them by causing a number of accidents they would never blame on a blind man, each increasingly more devious until he begins to anonymously accuse them of their deceit.
I loved everything about this book. Oliver is blind but not weak (yay!) and discovering that everything he’d thought was his world isn’t makes him determined to clean his life up and start fresh. How he does it is fascinating, clever, often feels good, and is always very satisfying. I cheered for him every step. Despite being novelette length, the characters are well-developed and the plot is intricate enough to keep any reader’s attention. Recommended for those who love strong people who don’t quit.
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Man vs. Nature saga, and the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Laws of Nature, Summer 2021.
Two very different books. Going to need another lifetime to read all these books!
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So true, but with the same theme–finding love in unusual places.
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Thanks, Jacqui. I’ve read some wonderful reviews of Toni’s book and I’ve added it to my list but didn’t know Anneli Purchase. Thanks for the recommendation!
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It is a feel good about a woman we can all relate to. Anneli’s–I learned so much about Mexico from her!
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Great reviews Jacqui. I’m adding Orion’s Gift to my TBR. And agree with your review. Loved Toni’s Desolation Bluff 🙂
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You won’t be sorry when you read it, Deb. It’s clever.
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Thank you so much, Debby. Toni x
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Great reviews! Sharing…
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Thanks, Bette–and thanks for sharing!
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Thanks so much, Bette. Toni x
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Both books look great, Jacqui! I read Desolation Bluff and thoroughly enjoyed it!
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That one was paced perfectly for me, with enough clever twists.
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Thanks for all your support, Terri. Toni x
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Both sound like really wonderful reads. Thanks for sharing, Jacqui!
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Wonderful books. There are so many! I just added two more to my Kindle.
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They sounds like great reads.
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Very enjoyable. Kept me engaged throughout.
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More books to read! YAY!!!
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I try to help, Andrew.
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Excellent reviews, Jacqui. I have Toni’s newest release on my TBR and will add Anneli to my watch list- thanks!
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Anneli has written a few great books. I need to prod her to write another!
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Thank you so much, Jacquie. Toni x
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Hi Jacqui – these sound delightful reads … but for now I have enough to ‘blister’ my eyes – much as I’d like to just read – it’s not possible … thanks for letting us know about Toni and Anneli – good luck to them … cheers Hilary
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I know what you mean, Hilary! I’m starting to feel pressured by all the books on my TBR pile!
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Thanks for the reviews, Jacquie! All two books sound wonderful, and i hope to read them soon. Best wishes for a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael. These two gave me hours of excellent reading.
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you so much for all your support, Michael, and for the reblog. Toni x
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Thanks for sharing!
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Reblogged this on Toni Pike and commented:
I have more good news to share – a wonderful review for Desolation Bluff, from eminent Vine Voice reviewer and author Jacqui Murray.
#reviews #books #thrillers
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Thanks for sharing!
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I have more good news to share – a wonderful review for Desolation Bluff, from eminent Vine Voice reviewer and author Jacqui Murray.
#reviews #books #thrillers
https://worddreams.wordpress.com/2022/05/13/more-indie-authors/#comment-290330
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Yay!
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Hi Jacqui, these books both sound excellent. I have Toni’s on my TBR. I finished Linda’s Midlife Crisis yesterday and need to get my review written this weekend.
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Thank you so much for reading it, Robbie. Toni x
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You’re too you for the Midlife Crisis. I giggled happily because I’m past it!
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Thank you, Jennifer. I hope you enjoy Orion’s Gift. I know I enjoyed reading your Calmer Girls.
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She will, Anneli. Take it from one who’s read the last page and wished it wasn’t!
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That’s such a nice way of saying you wish there were more. Thank you!
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Loved your thoughts on both these books! Orion’s Gift has such a lovely cover. ❤
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It does–free and graceful, which fits the book. I feel like I’ve been to Mexico after reading Anneli’s book.
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So good of you to share these with the world, Jacqui! 🙂
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Thanks, Betsy. They are a change from my usual reading so I particularly enjoyed them.
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Thank you for these lovely reviews Jacqui, I’ll check the books.
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Thanks, Balroop
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They both have a lot of emotion in them.
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Both books sound great. Toni Pike’s Desolation Bluff is very interesting about this blind man regaining his eyesight but pretending to continue the blindness. Excellent review, Jacqui!
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Thank you so much, Miriam – I was thrilled by Jacqui’s review. Toni x
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In happy for you, Toni. 😍
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He hadn’t intended to be deceptive, but found out it was the best path to the truth. Loved the plot.
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I guess so, Jacqui! It’s an interesting plot.
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Desolation Bluff in particular sounds very good!
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Despite it’s name, it’s a pretty upbeat story. I think you’ll enjoy it.
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Thanks so much for showcasing Toni’s book and mine. It was a surprise to see this post. You didn’t even hint that you were going to do this, but I really appreciate it. I’ll have to check out Toni’s book now, as I’ve read mine. I hope I’ll soon be advertising your next book. Can’t wait to read it.
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I should have told you! I am not nearly as organized as I used to be. And throw a new puppy in with it–I think I’ve lost my mind at times!
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The puppy won’t even notice!
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Both of these books sound great. Desolation Bluff especially sounds intriguing. Thanks for reviewing and sharing…now time to write:)
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They both kept my attention throughout, though no Westerns!
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Heh.
I’m waiting impatiently for a prehistoric thriller to read. Hint. Hint.
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This is going way too slowly! Sigh…
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Thanks for the reviews, Jacqui. I’ll check out Desolation Bluff (love the premise).
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Indie authors are an amazing group!
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Thanks for the reviews. I hope I have some time this summer to read for fun a bit. 🙂
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Orion’s Gift made me want to travel to Mexico.
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Both of these books sound great! Toni is such a great author and knows the human heart. I must put these books on my list. Thanks for these great reviews.
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Well said–“knows the human heart”.
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I read both books and loved them as well as your reviews of them, Jacqui. They certainly deserve 5 stars: ❤
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Thanks for adding your thoughts, Carol. Such a nice way to spend a few days!
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Thank you very much Carol, your reviews were fabulous. Toni x
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The only reason, Toni, that the reviews were fabulous is because the books are fabulous! ❤
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❤️❤️❤️
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Two quite different books, but they both sound fabulous. Great reviews, Jacqui!
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They do both have clever female leads. I like that.
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Thanks Jacqui for your book reviews. Love stories of people who are courageous.
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I do too. It reminds me how ordinary people can do the seeming impossible.
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Thanks for this, Jacqui. I just picked up both for my kindle. 😊📚
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You will have a good time with both, Jennifer.
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Thanks so much, Jennifer. Toni x
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Pretends to still be blind – twisted! He probably sees more than he thought he would.
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I believe that!
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Very true, Alex. Toni x
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Great reviews, Jacqui! I enjoyed Anneli’s book and thanks to you, I just snagged a copy of Desolation Bluff. It sounds really good! Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the weekend!
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Despite the depressing name, I came away from Toni’s book feeling good! And Anneli’s–I love her stories.
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Thank you so much, Jill. I hope you enjoy it. Toni x
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Hi Jacqui, Thank you so much for reading and reviewing Desolation Bluff – what a fantastic review, and also congratulations to Anneli. I’ll reblog it on the weekend. Toni x
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I so enjoyed it, Toni. Count me in for all of your new books!
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❤️❤️❤️
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