Sunday Book Review – Two Graves by Terry Tyler – Book 3 in the Revenge series – #novella

Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. I couldn’t wait to sink my eyes into Terry Tyler’s latest book in her Revenge series trilogy. Revenge can be sweet, but you may be taking yourself along for the ride – hence, Two Graves.

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When you plan revenge, be sure to dig two graves

Two novellas. Two lives changed forever by the need for retribution.

The Torment of Frances Cullen

Frances loves married life. Her husband, her daughters and her beloved home, which she has made so many sacrifices to keep. She socialises with the wives-and-girlfriends mafia of the upmarket Edgehill Gated Community, even though she despises them. It’s what husband Jarvis requires of her.
Sadly, nothing she can do will stop the walls crumbling around her.
When the collapse begins, reason vanishes.

The Content Creator

Jennifer was a journalist, back in the day. Twenty years ago, she presented a local TV show. Now she’s happily single, loving her work as a script editor, her busy social life and her daughter. She’s even friends with ex-husband Tony’s new girlfriend.
Then Tony switches partners yet again. The new lady on the block embodies everything Jennifer detests about new media.
Soon, her resentment of Sook Lee will become an obsession…

This third book in Tyler’s Revenge series will keep you hooked in these two stories.

Revenge can be a deadly thing – sometimes with intent, sometimes it’s that last straw that hits on a mountain of other hurt – and sometimes, revenge may hit more than the intended target – I think they call that karma.

The Torment of Frances Cullen – Fran and Jarvis get married. Jarvis lives by the ‘plan’ – make money, build a business, and eventually move to the big times – the Edgehill gated community where the plastic housewives reside – not much different to all the Housewives series on TV. Except, Fran doesn’t fit in, despite doing everything Jarvis tells her to do – almost like a Stepford wife. The other housewives gossip behind her back about her awkwardness, while Jarvis keeps her in line – with his plans. But Jarvis is somewhat of a narcissist who makes sure his life is cushy at home while gallivanting with another woman, because he’s important now.

Fran only wants to love her husband and her daughters, she’s tired of being left out of her husband’s life, and when she learns of his evil plan to exile her, Fran has no choice but to retaliate – and retaliate she does! With an ending so unexpected, but appropriate. And sometimes when letting karma pay a visit, it just may take everyone with it.

In Content Creator – Jennifer is a longtime script editor married to TV exec, Tony. But Tony has other plans for his life, and that no longer includes Jennifer as he cements a new live-in relationship with the much younger, Youtube health guru, Sook.

As Jen’s life begins to unravel and her job is taken away, along with her teen daughter Lydia it seems, who is caught up in the awesomeness of the Youtuber health advisor, Sook. Jen feels she’s vying for her own daughter’s attention. Lydia is happier spending time with her dad and his girlfriend because she’s so cool. And when something major happens to Lydia and she doesn’t even bother telling her mother, but confides in Sook for advice instead, the arena of vengeance opens up with Jennifer.

Lydia confides something very personal about Sook to her mom, swearing her to secrecy – only, we all know stuff hits the fan eventually and gets out. Betraying her daughter by trying to whistle blow on Sook, opens up a whole Pandora’s box of who said what, and where karma eventually lands.

Two Graves is a great read, two stories about wounds in familial relationships and how the human condition processes the wounds and provokes retaliation.

©DGKaye2026

Sunday Book Review – Bogie in a Human World: Life, Love and Letting Go – Book 3 #catitude #newrelease by Cheryl Spears

Welcome back to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m reviewing Cheryl Spears’ #newrelease – Bogie in a Human World – book 3. In this book, Bogie the cat is aging and re-evaluating life with his family – and maybe losing his sarcastic edge – a bit. This may look like a children’s book but this series was written for adults.

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Bogie in a Human World (The Trilogy)

Step into the world of Bogie, a clever tuxedo cat with sharp wit, a soft heart, and a unique perspective on human life.

In this charming third and last book of the series, Bogie, once again, invites readers into his world — a place where the everyday chaos, quirks, and love of a family are seen through feline eyes.

Told with humor, honesty, and tenderness, Bogie in a Human World is a celebration of the bond between pets and their people — the small moments that make families whole, and the lasting pawprints left on our hearts.

Perfect for cat lovers and anyone who knows the joy (and mystery) of sharing life with a pet, thie book is at once playful, touching, and unforgettable.

In this third book of the Bogie the Cat series, Bogie is back, still sharing his wisdom, observances, and opinions. He’s maturing and seems to be going easier on his human family, appreciating their love for him now, as Bogie mellows with age and his sarcasm wanes.

As he analyzes his family members, he notices how the kids have matured with the years. The girl, tells Bogie all her secrets and Bogie now admits his compassion for his family instead of how he made sarcastic comments about them. He now appreciates The boy’s whacky science experiments. He’s found a rhythm with Dad, now comfortable, just being. Bogie reminisces about all the lovely things Mom does for him. But lol, Bogie has yet to warm up to Aunty Linda because she hasn’t learned to love Bogie on his terms.

Bogie still prowls the hallways at night, making the rounds, checking his family is safe and sound. As he ages, he’s taking stock of his life. Clever as ever, Bogie has become sentimental.

©DGKaye2026

Sunday Book Review – Death by Coconut by Susie Black – Cozy WhoDunIt #newrelease

Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m sharing a fun cozy read by Susie Black from her Holly Swimsuit Series – Death by Coconut. A fun bunch of women friends in the shmata (garment) business are at a tradeshow in Miami. When things get wonky, Holly Schlivnik is in full detective mode.

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Obnoxious Mystique Swimwear sales rep Simon Posnick was universally despised by competitors and customers alike. So the question wasn’t who wanted the lying, cheating scoundrel dead. The question was who didn’t. Mariel Levine, Laurie’s Fashions’ swimsuit buyer and Holly Schlivnik’s career mentor, is wrongly arrested for murdering Posnick by impaling him with the jagged edge of a coconut shell at the base of his skull. The wisecracking, irreverent President of Mermaid Swimwear jumps into action to uncover the real killer. But the treacherous trail holds more dangerous human predators than the alligators and black pythons in the Everglades. Everything turns out differently than amateur sleuth Holly thinks it will as she tangles with a vengeful killer.

A fun romp with the yentas (gossipers) in shmata (rag) land.

A group of female friends who all happen to be in the garment business, gather for the annual buyer’s trade show in Miami to sell their wholesale wares to retailers. Holly and her mom work for Mermaid Swimwear. There is a lot of cutthroat going on with who can buy who’s line and who can’t. At the center of it is slimeball, Simon Posnick, who nobody really likes. And in the midst of the show, Simon is murdered – by a rough edge of a coconut. And one of the ladies, Mariel, is blamed. Holly Schlivnik susses out the real killer, but can she prove it to Detective Mo Lehrman? After all, it was Holly who discovers Simon’s body. Mo is a local cop and past heart throb for Holly, and things get heated again between them as Holly tries to solve the murder, and tries to convince Mo who it is.

Every good cozy mystery must have a villain and in this story, Simon is it, along with his handsy shenanigans, having no women wanting him. Enter Avril, a determined young saleswoman who will stop at nothing until Holly’s mother will buy from her line. Some people have to learn you can’t make deals for or with everyone. Lots of people don’t like Simon – or Avril, for that matter. And don’t disregard some of the other possible shady characters. It’s really a mystery who killed Simon despite the lame blame laid on Mariel. Even Holly had to backtrack on her first suspicion, considering her culprit also gets killed!

Lots of action, confusion, and lots of clues to help figure out who killed Simon, while Holly keeps herself in the thick of things snooping around, and almost getting herself killed in the process. A fun fast-paced read that I really didn’t want to put down.

Sunday Book Review – Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics by Jan Sikes

Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m reviewing Jan Sikes’s latest release – Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics. It’s a beautiful book with short stories and a few poems, sectioned in three categories: Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics. Wonderful stories that touch the heart, and take us to pause.

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At the edge of the world, and the center of the heart, you’ll find stories that linger.

Fringes explores dystopian futures where survival is uncertain and hope is fragile. In A Foreign WorldThe Forgotten, and Yearning for Paradise, humanity is pushed to its limits.

Heartstrings turns toward the warmth of love, resilience, and second chances. Stories such as A Promise Broken – A Promise KeptShe Dances with a Memory, and When Love Isn’t Enough remind us that the human spirit endures.

Lyrics captures life in poetry—moments of longing, faith, and reflection in pieces like Comes the DawnSociety, and The Blind Man in the Night.

From chilling possibilities to comforting truths, Fringes, Heartstrings & Lyrics is a genre-blending collection of short fiction and poetry that will make you think, feel, and return again and again.

I never met a book I didn’t enjoy by Jan Sikes – and still haven’t.

This is a book that will touch on heartstrings. The book is broken down into three categories – Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics. These short stories and poems all touch our emotions.

From the first story, Sikes captured my empathy with a beautiful love story, a violent episode leading to an elderly couple’s demise, yet a heartwarming reunion as they go to the light together, with their heavy hearts for the sadness and violence of the world they’ve left behind, despite them finding their final peace.

Magic is a beautiful heartfelt telling about a boy Jasper, out riding his horse hoping to find a Christmas tree that will bring his family the luck they so badly need. But Jasper lost his bearings, got off the horse Magic, and Magic knew his boy needed help so he whinnied at a neighbor’s door, and kind man Frank helps the boy, helps himself, and helps to make the boy’s family fed and full on Christmas Eve.

Insatiable Hunger – Emily is happily bored with her marriage until she goes out with work friends to a bar and is attracted to the lead singer, Levi. Lust takes over sane minds when Emily eventually uproots her life to be with Levi. And maybe it’s karma when you break someone’s heart and it hits right back.

She Dances with Memory a story about elderly widowed Gertrude celebrating her dead husband’s birthday complete with cake and music and memories.Gertrude’s memories take her back as she waltzes across the floor unknowingly, until the dance ends and she discovers she wasn’t dancing alone.

When Love Isn’t Enough – A beautiful story about a friendship in time of need. Jayden rescues Riley one stormy night, and Riley didn’t know that she rescued Jayden that very same night. As Jayden tries to help Riley with her big problem he realizes that Riley was helping him unknowingly.

This book is a beautiful collection of stories, shorts and poetry that leave an impression. And near the end of the book, we’re treated to some older poetry written by musician Rick Sikes (the author’s late husband), as well as some new poetry by Sydney Klein, the author’s teen granddaughter. This book evoked many emotions in me as we each will find something we can relate to from love to heartbreak, each story captured my attention. This is a beautiful book with a beautiful cover, and probably one I’ll pick up again and again from time to time.

©DGKaye2026

Sunday Book Review – Tales From The Irish Garden: The Missing Pieces by Sally Cronin #newrelease

Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m thrilled to be sharing my review for dear friend and author, Sally Cronin’s latest new release in her Tales From The Irish Garden series – The Missing Pieces. For anyone who has read Sally’s other books in this series of stand alones, we can look forward to new beginnings with the Storyteller who is master of the Irish Garden.

Tales from the Irish Garden The Missing Pieces

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In the Irish Garden there is fantasy, magic, friendship and love to be found in this green and welcoming haven. For some of those who find their way to the garden there is a renewal and an awakening of the spirit and special gifts lost through tragedy. For others it is the end of a long and arduous journey to find their soulmate.

The Irish garden has been a sanctuary for centuries for those escaping persecution, invaders and grief. Its guardian is the storyteller, a man who has lived for hundreds of years and who is part of a network of guardians around the world, offering a safe haven to those worthy of their protection.

It is not only humans who travel from afar to this garden, but animals which are hurt or lost. One creature in particular has travelled across time following the elusive melody remembered from its time in an ancient civilisation, a cat who has reached its ninth life.

There is fantasy, magic, friendship and love to be found in this green and welcoming haven. For some of those who find their way to the garden there is a renewal and an awakening of the spirit and special gifts lost through tragedy. For others it is the end of a long and arduous journey to find their soulmate.

You are welcome to join the storyteller, Finn, Lilah, Ramon, Michael, Bebechat and Flaco in the garden to enjoy their company, discover their stories and be amused at some of the antics they get up to as they finally find a peaceful home to call their own.

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Sally Cronin

©DGKaye2026

New Book Alert! Sally Cronin’s #newrelease – Tales From The Irish Garden: The Missing Pieces and an Excerpt

Today I’m thrilled to share my dear friend, Sally Cronin’s, new release of the third book in her Tales From The Irish Garden series – The Missing Pieces. For those of you who don’t know Sally, she runs the Smorgasbord Blog Invitation blog and there you will find a plethora of fun, music, entertainment, health, books, and more! Never a dull moment at the Smorgasbord. And that’s where you’ll also find my monthly column each year on a different subject. Feel free to visit, and if you’re an author, you should check out all the generous author promos Sally does as well to help get our books noticed. This time, Sally gets center stage.

I’ve read and loved all Sally’s books and am looking very forward to reading this one. Sally has a knack for great storytelling, and while doing so, knows how to grab at our heartstrings.

Sally Cronin is the author of nineteen books including her memoir Size Always Matters in 2024. This was an updated version of her first book, Size Matters published in 2001 which followed her weight loss of 150lbs and the programme she designed to regain her health. A programme she shared with her clients over her 27 year career as a nutritional therapist and on her blog. This has been followed by another eighteen books both fiction and non-fiction including multi-genre collections of short stories and poetry.

Her latest book is part of a three book series set in a garden in Spain and then in Ireland. Tales from the Irish Garden: The Missing Pieces brings together creatures and people in need of a sanctuary, where they can spend their lives in peace.

As an author she understands how important it is to have support in marketing books and offers a number of FREE promotional opportunities on her blog Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and across her social media.

After leading a nomadic existence exploring the world, she now lives with her husband on the coast of Southern Ireland enjoying the seasonal fluctuations in the temperature of the rain.

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Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2SV17S

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX2SV17S

The Irish garden has been a sanctuary for centuries for those escaping persecution, invaders and grief. Its guardian is the storyteller, a man who has lived for hundreds of years and who is part of a network of guardians around the world, offering a safe haven to those worthy of their protection.

It is not only humans who travel from afar to this garden, but animals which are hurt or lost. One creature in particular has travelled across time following the elusive melody remembered from its time in an ancient civilisation, a cat who has reached its ninth life.

There is fantasy, magic, friendship and love to be found in this green and welcoming haven. For some of those who find their way to the garden there is a renewal and an awakening of the spirit and special gifts lost through tragedy. For others it is the end of a long and arduous journey to find their soulmate.

You are welcome to join the storyteller, Finn, Lilah, Ramon, Michael, Bebechat and Flaco in the garden to enjoy their company, discover their stories and be amused at some of the antics they get up to as they finally find a peaceful home to call their own.

The storyteller gently stroked the sleek head of the bird on his shoulder as they made their way to the rose garden. Here he found a pigeon was greedily gobbling up the seed which had been scattered around the edges bird table by the earlier onslaught by the starlings. It raised its head as he saw the storyteller approaching and flew across to perch on the back of a wooden rocking chair, positioned to allow the occupant to enjoy the last rays of the evening sun.  As the chair moved back and forth the bird flapped his wings in surprise and then seemed to enjoy the movement.

‘Why don’t you head off Charlie and check those pesky rabbits have not been raiding the carrot patch again.’

The crow nodded his head and flew off in the direction of the abundant allotment at the end of the garden, leaving the storyteller to deal with this unexpected visitor.

He gently lifted the pigeon up and gazed into its eyes gently cooing to reassure it.

‘Okay, let’s see what you have brought me.’

He removed the small pouch attached to the bird’s leg and headed back over to the bird table.

‘Finish your breakfast my friend and I will come and get you if I have a message for you to take home with you.’

The bird happily continued stuffing himself and with a smile the storyteller headed inside the cottage to the kitchen to find his reading glasses.

You are requested to attend the 950th AGM of the Guardian’s Association.

Usual place, usual time. Important things to discuss. Bring Honey.

With a wry smile, the storyteller picked up a small piece of tissue paper and dipped a swan’s feather into the ink pot and wrote his response.

Will do; make sure there are almond croissants.

With that he slipped the folded up piece of tissue paper and tucked it into the pouch. On his return to the rose garden he found the pigeon having a drink from the bird bath and attached the message to its leg. With a quick kiss to the top of its head, he whispered in its ear and released it into the sky. After watching for a moment to check it was headed in the right direction, he returned to the cottage to make preparations for his upcoming trip.

~ ~ ~

Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sally-Cronin/author/B003B7O0T6

Amazon UKhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Sally-Cronin/author/B003B7O0T6

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7979187.Sally_Cronin

Blog: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sally.cronin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sgc58

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sallycronin.bsky.social

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallycronin1

©DGKaye2026

Sunday Book Review – Fragile: Epic #Fantasy World of the Five Kingdoms by Deborah Jay

Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m reviewing Deborah Jay’s latest release – Fragile. Deborah wrote this book to focus on one of the characters, Betha, from her Prince’s Man – Five Kingdoms epic series. Sometimes, characters deserve their own attention.

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If you could heal your own body, what risks would you take?

When a childhood accident reveals Betha has a talent for magic, her terrified family insist she must never use it, for in Tyr-en, sorcery attracts the death penalty.

Brokered in marriage to an elderly lord, Betha must give up her dreams of serving in the kingdom’s guard, but as court life and intrigue become her adult world, she starts to discover there are advantages to her new position.

Settling into the privileged life of a noblewoman, she is unprepared when false accusation brings tragedy to her family, yet she determines to bring the guilty party to justice. Will she be able to do so without using magic? Or will she die trying?

FRAGILE is the origin story of a character who grew from a bit part in book #1 of THE FIVE KINGDOMS series, to a major player by book #3. It is a stand-alone story, but also an ideal entry point into the main series.

Trigger warnings: descriptions of injuries, self-harm, and torture.

Betha had aspirations of becoming one of the kingdom’s guards, but instead is married off to an elderly lord. She also realizes at age twelve that she’s inherited magical powers – a secret she must learn to guard well. Betha’s physicality displays her petite and ‘fragile’ stature, demonstrating that the small can also be mighty.

In this great fantasy story, as in many centuries old stories, the power of magic meant death if discovered. But Betha had a special kind of magic – self healing. And in this story, did she ever need that asset. Betha may be small and fragile, but she’s one powerful young woman.

As she was married off to a much older lord, she was treated with kindness from her elderly husband – until he was swindled of his medication, leaving Betha back out in the cold and susceptible to all the evils around her. When she discovers her best friend and brother is killed in the chaos, she’s determined to find out how and who killed him and her husband, putting herself in much danger along the journey to search for the killers, and escape the clutches and chase of the diabolical evil doctor who is also attempting to steal the power to reign over her kingdom.

Lots of action and great descriptions along the way. Characters you’ll both love and detest will keep you turning the pages.

©DGKaye2026

Sunday Book Review – More Manchester than Mongolia: An unexpected roadtrip through back road Britain by Jacqueline Lambert

Welcome to my last Sunday Book Review before my blogging break. Today I’m reviewing Jackie Lambert’s second book to her ‘Beast’ series, book 2. In this second book of Jackie’s adventures, traveling narrow roads in the UK with the tank-like beast provides lots of humor and good information on the trials and tribulations of building this beast, getting it road worthy, and all the bits and bobs that go on to make this journey fun and doable.

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The Comic Memoir of a Grand Plan Gone Wrong

“I haven’t laughed so much at the written word since Pam Ayres released Some of Me Poetry in 1976!” Drew Johnson, author of the Andalucian Adventures series

When Jackie and Mark bought The Beast, a vintage, six-wheel army lorry sight unseen off the internet, they planned the ultimate overland adventure to Mongolia with their four dogs. But when COVID-19 slammed shut international borders – it abruptly rerouted their dream.

Stranded in the U.K., they tackle life on the road in a home-built truck camper laughably over-engineered for the quaint English countryside. What follows is a laugh-out-loud British road trip, filled with mishaps, mechanical mayhem – and the hidden marvels of their homeland.

Blending travel tales with dogs, wit, and heart, More Manchester than Mongolia is a celebration of embracing life when it doesn’t go to plan. Perfect for fans of Bill Bryson, Tony Hawks, and Mark Wallington, this is a funny, feel-good memoir of resilience, rediscovery, and finding that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones we never intended to take.

After reading the first book in this series, it was a given I had to read this one. Lambert has an interesting way of sharing her storied journeys, including lots of nuggets of wisdom shared along the journey, written as though she’s speaking directly to us in her stories and descriptions.

In this book, the author shares the story about their journey through the UK in their converted, newly re-fitted (Swedish army tank) – perhaps, not yet finished, as the author, her hubby Mark, and their dog family attempt to drive to Scotland as a test drive with their new monster vehicle/home. Narrow ancient roads and all, this beast is moving! Maybe just not to Mongolia. And maybe they don’t even make it to Scotland!

Time constraints with the length it took to convert this vehicle – and Covid and Brexit, got them to a late finish, and ultimately, leaving them no choice but to move into the vehicle before, let’s say, all was perfected. Brexit added to making travel that much harder for Brits going to the EU. Praying for luck, the Beast sets out, first facing some very narrow country roads, which the author describes perfectly with added hilarity. And not to mention the many passerbyers who are marveled at such a creation. Trials and tribulations abound from sticky crossings, to broken windshield(s), to new tires required, let’s not forget about visa issues, add some electrical issues and getting stuck in soggy grounds, and just about any obstacle to put a pause on things, will happen. But then there are always – the people we meet along the way that just helps to make life better – especially at times you really need them.

On the maiden jaunt north to Scotland, the Lamberts encounter some interesting twists and turns, and some interesting people along the way, as well as the author sharing of some interesting literary sights in her detailed journey and guided tours of people, places, and events of some of the UK’s rich history. And some very helpful information for fellow RVers along the way.

A few poignant quotes from the author and what inspired the journey sums up the adventure perfectly:

“The path Mark and I have chosen is not just a way of living. It’s a means to reclaim freedom in a society that tells you to anchor yourself with a house, mortgage, and possessions. Preferably ones you need to get in debt to afford.”

“Our lifestyle offers something different. It offers time. Time to explore, to think, to breathe. And time to be present in an existence that rushes by too quickly.”

“From our obsession with travel, we had already learned that happiness doesn’t come from things; it comes from experience. And we’d observed that variety, and breaking out of everyday patterns, had the side effect of making time appear to slow down.”

” An obsession with longevity urges us to hoard time, clinging to it as though we could own it. But the lesson of a free life is that it’s not the years or the possessions you accumulate that count. It’s the richness of your days…”

“Our lifestyle is not about rejecting responsibility or ambition. It’s about prioritising joy and meaning. It’s realising that the best way to honour time is not to stretch it out endlessly, but to savour it deeply.”

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to turn an army tank into your abode and means of travel transportation, with roadblocks, restrictions, and plans, you’ll want to read this fun jaunt with the Lambert’s through some interesting parts of England for entertainment, and for some wonderful lessons in history. Like we say – it’s not only about the destination – but the journey to there.

©DGKaye 2026