RS: More Gaming Fiction: Nera Vivaldi

 

Cookmancer Online by Nera Vivaldi

I wasn’t sure what to think when I saw the cover and read the blurb. I wondered what sort of LitRPG would use cooking – and the talk of scoring points - was the heroine participating in a reality television show like Master Chef? 

However, when I got past the uniqueness of the concept, I found Cookmancer Online was an absorbing read. Genuine gaming fiction, with a few twists. Apparently, Earth ought to have become uninhabitable, but it was saved by an artificial intelligence. The opposite of the TERMINATOR plot – but a certain amount of cyber paranoia remains. Is the artificial intelligence truly neutralised – and is it genuinely benign?

The villain is an ex-boyfriend, creating drama and tension.  I immensely enjoyed my review copy accessed through Book Sirens.

https://www.amazon.com/Cookmancer-Online-LitRPG-GameLit-Novel-ebook/dp/B08JYGYCVM/r

RS: Charming Holiday Fiction: Link by Link Edited by Meg Dailey & Thankfully in Love by Anna J. Stewart

Link by Link Edited by Meg Dailey

 

A charming collection that proves not all ghosts are scary. Most of the ghosts in this story have returned to right wrongs and support loved ones. One or two I’m not sure are ghosts; they are supernatural creatures that only certain individuals or animals can see. The volume is value-packed, with each tale being so complete that it deserves an individual mention.

 

Between the Quiet by Candace Robinson –is a sweet tale where a friend cares enough to attempt matchmaking from beyond the grave. The Spirit of You by Elle Beaumont – another sweet tale featuring a boyfriend who cares enough for a lingering farewell. I Saw Her Again by Lauren Emily Whalen – is an inclusive story about lost love and regret. Yesterday’s News by Leslie Rush – explores the ability of a message from the past to alter the future.

 

Paw Prints by Kristin Jacques – is an incredibly cute tale that asks whether pets might actually know best? Coffee Talk by M. Dalto – is a charming love story. But who are the invisible mentors? Bound by What by Jess Moore – a morality tale where a woman is tasked with the burden of preventing a tragedy her selfishness caused. Charing Cross by Pam S. Dunn –is a unique detective story with “gaslamp” fantasy overtones. The Recipe for Cornbread by C. Vonzale Lewis – is a tale where Grandmother appears to help prepare the festive meal. This one dug deep emotionally and I think it was my favorite.

 

I read an advance review copy provided by Book Sirens, and I write reviews because I really enjoy reading.

 Thankfully in Love by Anna J. Stewart

Thankfully good! Four excellent holiday romances: they are clean romances, but you can feel the emotions better that way. 

NO PLACE LIKE HOME by Anna J. Stewart – verged on being a holiday thriller.

SECOND CHANCES by Kayla Perrin – combined a holiday break up with the dream of “the one that got away”. 

DOG-GONE HOLIDAY by Melinda Curtis - employed a bit of magical realism. 

LOVE GUIDES THE WAY by Cari Lynn – I don’t know about you, but I found this one to be a tear-jerker. 

I read a review copy supplied by Book Sirens, and am happy to recommend any of these stories to someone wanting positively themed festive entertainment.

https://www.amazon.com/Thankfully-Love-Thanksgiving-Anna-Stewart-ebook/dp/B08D3TBSTJ/

Readers' Favorite Reviews: Non Fiction

 

The Wandering Investor by Brendan Hughes contains a survey of the tourist attractions and economics of several countries. It is partially investment advice, part travelogue. Countries surveyed included New Zealand, Australia, Belize, and Iceland. The middle sections cover Peru, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Chile. Botswana sounds surprisingly good despite the drawback of a large desert. The latter half discusses Canada, Colombia, India, Cuba, Singapore, and Malaysia. Hughes makes Colombia sound frightening, but apparently, it has good economic prospects. Singapore apparently has strong manufacturing, health care, and education; as well as tourism. It seems to be booming. Malaysia has diversified into manufacturing and is growing. Finally, Indonesia is rated for its strong tourism and domestic activity. Then Hughes brought things together in the analytical sections: “Travel Lessons Learned” and “What Makes a Successful Economy?”  

 

The Wandering Investor is a unique volume. It was stimulating to read about Hughes’ visit to my own country; and all his adventures in other countries. Every chapter is introduced by an account of the Hughes escapades in that particular country. I liked the fact that the end of each chapter was illustrated with black and white photographs. I used to read finance magazines, so I was interested in what Hughes had to say. Hughes’ assessments were generally shrewd; although the situation in Australia required him to write an “update” section. Some people will want to read about Hughes' travel, while others will want to read about investments. There is something in The Wandering Investor for everyone.

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/guidance-and-encouragement-from-isaiah?fbclid=IwAR2eFmPxRXqt12HlWW_eXRR7REklqm01x2aZ_5IPd2DX62VIl7cHXsP6m78#

 

 

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/crossing-jordan-rivers?fbclid=IwAR2CLQ-QQS1uYJVMR7g9iqWGiUGEd4cP-AeyL_3PFmW_nQa_YrPjktJ1pis#

Review Policy

 

I write for a number of sites, so I am sumarising my review policy here. In all instances, I attempt to provide a professional review.

 

WEEKEND NOTES

-          Does not allow me to do self-promotion in a review, but allows the promotion of any other book or product available to the public.

-          Reviews are for entertainment purposes

-          Public interest and the experience of the reader are considered in the point of view.

-          Links to the product may be included at the editor’s discretion (not mine).

-          Links to the supplier’s website are encouraged

-          Does not allow negative reviews. (These would set a poor tone for an entertainment magazine).

-          Once posted WN claims copyright. You could quote 10% as “fair usage” when referring to the review – but not reprint the review.

-          Pays its reviewers a small amount when views have accumulated. This amount comes from advertising revenue.

-          Has editors that check the reviews for spelling errors, misrepresentation and major red flags.

-          More terms and conditions are available here: https://www.weekendnotes.com/faq/#what

 

HUBPAGES

-          Does not allow commercial use, but is open to literature, self-help, media reviews and opinion.

-          Requires original content, so a review posted elsewhere would not be accepted.

-          Third party contributors (eg. reviewers) retain copyright. However, as the review needs to be original to Hubpages, it cannot be reprinted elsewhere without being removed from the site.

-          Has affiliated sites it may display the review on, if it feels the article meets the criterion.

-          Limits what it considers “promotional links”, so may not link back to the provider’s webpage, or sales platform.

-          Has a revenue system whereby a very small amount is earned by clicks. This is generally very slow.

-          Has editors check articles for formatting, spelling and grammatical errors.

-          Full terms and conditions are available here: https://maven.io/company/pages/terms

AMAZON

 These are “customer reviews”. I consider them different to literary reviews or “peer reviews”, so I will always MAKE THEM SHORTER.

-          The audience is the general consumer, so reviews will be LESS TECHNICAL.

-          “Spoilers” devalue the product, so I will be avoiding summarizing the plot or telling the story.

-          It is against “Terms of Service” to pay for a review, accept payment for a review or pressure the reviewer into giving a positive review.

-          As a keen reader, I am generally happy to give out positive reviews. HOWEVER, I feel effusive praise reads like advertising copy, and will avoid this.

-          Please do not be disappointed if your review contains an honest response or piece of constructive criticism.

-          Other Terms and Conditions can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G3UA5WC5S5UUKB5G

GOODREADS

-          Goodreads is a more relaxed site and does not require the purchase of the book.

-          It allows positive and negative reviews, and to some extent, thought provoking opinions.

-          The focus is required to be on the work rather than the person.

-          Links appear to be allowed, as long as they provide useful information and are not spam. (Blogs appear preferred to sales platforms.)

-          Content must be original, so the same review cannot be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Angus and Robertson and a blog. (These would all have to be written separately).

-          Due to the above requirement, the review can only be quoted with acknowledgement.

-          Dialogue between reviewers is allowed so long as it is polite.

-          Commercial reviews are not allowed.

-          Goodreads does not endorse reviews and may remove them at their discretion.

-          These are not so much “customer reviews” – the book may have been obtained anywhere, (eg. lending library), but “consumer reviews”.

-          Because Goodreads appears so casual, it is not my primary choice for posting technical criticism.

-          More guidelines are available at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/guidelines

 

 ALL OTHER SITES

-          The review must abide by the terms and conditions of that site.

-          The review will be designed for the readers of that site.

My Reviewer Profile Generated by Book Sirens

 The BookSirens algorithm analysed my Goodreads reviews and returned following feedback. 

Preferred Genres:

"Cecelia reads a diverse set of genres. However, Cecelia primarily reviews Fiction, Fantasy, and non-fiction. Cecelia rates Fiction books the highest, on average, with an average rating of 4.2."

"Within Fiction, Cecelia specifically reviews Speculative Fiction, Classics, Romance, Action / Adventure, and Drama.

Things are prone to change over time, so you can check out my current review profile using the interactive widget below.