Belladonna's Books

Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson Book Review by Dawn Thomas 232 Pages Publisher: Terra Nova Books Release Date: September 17, 2018 Fiction, Missing Person, Friendship Hank is coping with the loss of his wife Becka. He and his friend Norm are bachelors in a retirement community where women outnumber men three to one. One evening, Hank gets an unexpected visitor. A beautiful Vietnamese woman is standing in the lobby. As Hank gets closers, he r...

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier Book Review by Dawn Thomas   311 Pages Publisher: St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books Publication Date: June 12, 2018   Mystery & Thriller, Suspense   Georgina Shaw is a young successful executive at a pharmaceutical company. She is engaged to the owner’s son and has everything going for her. Her life comes crashing down when actions from her past emerge. Angela Wong is a beautiful sixteen ...

The Trouble with Harriet by Dorothy Cannell Review by Dawn Thomas   316 Pages Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Alibi Release Date: June 13, 2017   Mystery, British, Women Sleuths   Ellie stops by a Gypsy woman to have her future told. The woman tells Ellie that she shouldn’t be upset or surprised when her father shows up. Ellie’s father has been absent for most of her life with the exception of the occasional letter...

The Fall by Steve Taylor Review by Dawn Thomas   352 Pages Publisher: John Hunt Publishing Ltd Release Date: June 29, 2018   Historical, Cultural, Ancient Civilizations, Modern Civilizations, Sociology   This is an amazing book. I had many eye-opening moments while reading. The author discusses how the ancient people were peaceful until about 6,000 years ago. He provides historical information that details “The Fall” and the di...

The Pinochet Plot by David Myles Robinson Review by Dawn Thomas Paperback: 280 pages Publisher: Terra Nova Books (May 1, 2018) Language: English ISBN-10: 1938288203 ISBN-13: 978-1938288203 Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Political Thriller Will Munoz is a San Francisco attorney who represents high paying slick clients. While sitting in a deposition, he asked himself how he became this person. He receives a troubling letter from his mother that leads...

Book Review Ashes in the Ocean by Sebastian Slovin Review by Dawn Thomas 222 Pages Publisher: Nature Unplugged Release Date: March 17, 2018 ISBN-10: 0692051198 ISBN-13: 978-0692051191 Non-Fiction, Memoir, Suicide, Family Relationships, Counseling, Psychology, Grief & Loss The subject of mental illness does not get enough discussion. Families that are touched by suicide are never the same again. Most times, the ones left behind do not get res...

Everything We Left Behind by Kerry Lonsdale Review by Dawn Thomas Rating: 5 stars 348 Pages Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Release Date: July 4, 2017 General Fiction (Adult), Women’s Fiction, Relationships, Family Dynamics Carlos and James have something in common. They share the same body but not the same memories. James is suffering from a psychological fugue. In this state, James disappears and Carlos emerges. He lives in Mexico with his t...

Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale Review by Dawn Thomas Rating: 5 stars 304 Pages Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Release Date: August 1, 2016 Series: The Everything Series General Fiction (Adult), Women’s Fiction, Family Dynamics Aimee should be happy on her wedding day. Instead she is planning her fiancé, James’, funeral. Her whole world is spiraling out of control. A woman approaches Aimee and tells her James is still alive. Aimee doe...

Designs to Color by Betty Schaffner Review by Dawn Thomas Rating: 3 stars Pages 23 Publisher: Tallfellow Press Release Date: February 17, 2016 Nonfiction, Arts, Crafts, Hobbies, Teens & YA This book is a combination of a coloring book with Zentangle images. Some of the pages use thick lines with large coloring areas while others are more detailed with thin lines. Most of the images are are abstract geometric shapes. Many of the images have b...

Blue Ribbon Canning by Linda J. Amendt Review by Dawn Thomas Rating: 5 stars 268 Pages Publisher: Taunton Press Release Date: April 28, 2015 Nonfiction (Adult), Food & Wine, Cooking For years, I have wanted to can and make preserves. I tried twice with disastrous results. When I saw this book, I had hope and was inspired to try it again. The book begins with detailed sections on ingredients, equipment, and techniques. The author provides hel...