Is it Time to say Good-bye?

Hello, my faithful readers, 

yes, I know there are not a lot of you, I don't even know if at least one or two of you are left that constantly read my reviews, if yes, give me a sign! I'd love to hear from you! 

As you know I am currently pursuing my master's program, and it's as tough as hell. Thank God for my scheduling of all posts back in summer, when I had some type of free time, that's the only reason why blog seems active with reviews appearing every week. 

I hope all my readers will understand this, as this is a crucial time for me and for my future career, and while I love my blog, as if I have given birth to it, actually I have, though I believe it wasn't as painful, if I gave birth to an actual baby... Okay, I'm totally off topic now, and you're losing the thread here. *you're not the only ones... * giggles. 

While the blog was born in August 2013, on 19th if we want to be exact, during my Bachelor's I have taken quite some time off it as well, due to exams, and at one point, because I ran out of pre-written reviews, and had to take some time off to catch up on reading and writing. Now, the case if different. I have quite a lot of reviews written both in manga and book section, you can just look at this folder:

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Yeah, I know, there's another folder on my laptop where there are other electronic versions, as one of my resolution of 2017 was to go more paper-free. But I already had all of those reviews written so now I need to find time to upload them to the electronic format. 

Now, I know that you are thinking. Ah, she'll just take a break until summer and will be back then. That's where the BIG NEWS are coming in! 

The Blog will be closed until further notice. 

And I'm sorry to say this, but I have no idea when that further notice will be. It may truly be in Summer 2018, but I highly doubt it, as I will be in the middle of writing my Master's Thesis and then once again relocating from Netherlands to my traineeship location. And if you have any idea what ACCA trainees go through you'll know that I won't have time to do anything except study for exams and work. And hopefully sometimes for a weekend escape and a movie night with friends. Thus, It may take years, for my blog to be back in full. 

Are you as sad as I am? Thank you, guys! It means a lot to me. But if you think that I will delete the blog, that's highly doubtful, as I want everyone to read my reviews and find their next favourite book or manga. Also, if you are wondering about my side project of KC Book Promotions, that one will be still functioning. It's not a very major Book Promotions platform, thus I hope I will still manage it and you'll find new books by visiting the website or facebook page! 

Another reason, why I want to close the blog, is because I want once again to be enjoying reading, and not read in order to write the review. I have been seeing this last 2 month, I have gone back to my carefree reading, where I am not focused on writing a review after I finish either the book or manga. I hope you understand this. I love writing reviews, however, when I was on my campaign to write as many reviews as possible so I can share them with you, the whole process started to feel like an obligation, and I don't want it to be that way. 

You know what of a bookworm I am, thus, I will be still reading books, and sometimes, when I am too amazed or too repulsed you'll see my outbursts! Where? On Goodreads! so don't forget to follow me there! And one thing that I will do is transfer the reviews that I solely wrote there to blog, hence, the blog will be active once in a while. You won't be seeing a manga review every Monday nor book review every Thursday, no more recommendations on the facebook page, and even every day memes will be missing. But I'll still try to keep the blog as well as the FB page alive, with posting now and then. 

Now, if you've come here, that's some dedication to reading my writing... Thanks! I appreciate it a lot! So, before I finish this post, let me sum up everything!

1. The blog isn't closed forever!
2. I'll be back!!!! (Don't know when, but I promise I will be!!!)
3. Follow me on Instagram and Goodreads to see pictures of my trips, random things, etc, and of course what books I'm reading, etc!
4. KC Book Promotions will be still working, so check back to www.kcbookptomotions.com to see some new books!
5. I love you all! and I'll be back! sorry for repeating myself!

XOXO

Katie

Book Review: Accordance by Shelly Crane (Significance #2)

Title: Accordance

Author: Shelly Crane

Series: Significance #2

Publication Date: 15 September 2011

Publisher: Kiss me Publication LLC

Goodreads | Amazon

Manga Review: WIld Ones by Kiyo Fujiwara

Title: Wild Ones

Original Title: Arakure

Author: Kiyo Fujiwara

Artist: Kiyo Fujiwara

Year of Release: 2005

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, School Life, Shoujo

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 57

Volumes & Chapters:

10 Volumes in Total

Mangafox | Goodreads | Myanimelist

Book Review: My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent (Soul Screamers #3)

Title: My Soul to Keep

Author: Rachel Vincent

Series: Soul Screamers #3

Publication Date: 1 June 2010

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Goodreads | Amazon

Manga Review: Blue Seal by Chie Shinohara

Title: Blue Seal

Original Title: Ao no Fuuin

Author: Chie Shinohara

Artist: Chie Shinohara

Year of Release: 1992

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mature, Mystery, Romance, Shoujo, Supernatural

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 53

Volumes & Chapters:

11 Volumes in Total

Mangafox | Goodreads | Myanimelist

Book Review: Hell on Heels by Robyn Peterman (Hot Damned #3)

Title: Hell on Heels

Author: Robyn Peterman

Series: Hot Damned #3

Publication Date: 15 September 2014

Publisher: Smashwords

Goodreads | Amazon

Manga Review: Yukarism by Chika Shiomi

Title: Yukarism

Original Title: Yukarism

Author: Chika Shiomi

Artist: Chika Shiomi

Year of Release: 2010

Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Gender Bender, Historical, Romance, Shoujo, Supernatural

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 17

Volumes & Chapters:

4 Volumes in Total

Mangafox | Goodreads | Myanimelist

Book Review: Lover Reveal by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #4)

Title: Lover Revealed

Author: J.R. Ward

Series: The Black Dagger Brotherhood #4

Publication Date: 6 March 2017

Publisher: Onyx

Goodreads | Amazon

Manga Review: Girlfriend by Masaya Hokazono & Better Court

Title: Girlfriend

Original Title: Girlfriend

Author: Masaya Hokazono

Artist: Better Court

Year of Release: 2003

Genres: Adult, Drama, Romance, Seinen, Slice of Life

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 26

Volumes & Chapters:

5 Volumes in Total

Mangafox | Goodreads | Myanimelist

Mini Manga Review: First Love is Like a Knife by Shiho Watanabe

Title: First Love is Like a Knife

Original Title: Hatsukoi wa Marude Yaiba no you ni

Author: Shiho Watanabe

Artist: Shiho Watanabe

Year of Release: 2011

Genres: Drama, Romance, Tragedy,

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 4

Volumes & Chapters: 

1 Volume in Total

Mangafox – Goodreads

Book Review: Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (The Dark Artifices #1)

Title: Lady Midnight

Author: Cassandra Clare

Series: The Dark Artifices #1

Publication Date: 8 March 2016

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Goodreads | Amazon

Manga Review: Soul to Seoul by Kim Jea-Eun

Title: Soul to Seoul

Original Title: Eastcoast

Author: Kim Jea-Eun

Artist: Kim Jea-Eun

Year of Release: 2001

Genres: Drama, Mature, Shoujo Tragedy

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 18

Volumes & Chapters:

5 Volumes in Total

Mangafox | Goodreads | Myanimelist

[Book Blitz] 3 Sprites and a Bed by Sandra C Addis

Title: 3 Sprites and a Bed

Author: Sandra C Addis

Release Date: 22 May 2015

Goodreads | Amazon 

Book Review: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh (Nevermore #1)

Title: Nevermore

Author: Kelly Creagh

Series: Nevermore #1

Publication Date: 31 August 2010

Publisher: Atheneum Books

Goodreads | Amazon

Manga Review: Little House with an Orange Roof by Noriyuki Yamahana

Title: Little House with an Orange Roof

Original Title: Orange Yane No Chiisana Ie

Author: Noriyuki Yamahana

Artist: Noriyuki Yamahana

Year of Release: 2005

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Josei, Romance, Seinen, Shoujo, Slice of Life, Smut

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 64

Volumes & Chapters:

8 Volumes in Total

Mangafox | Goodreads | Myanimelist

[BOOK BLITZ] Unacceptable Expectations by James Gauthier

Title: Unacceptable Expectations: A Young Teachers Struggle with Conformity

Author: James A. Gauthier J.D. 

Release Date: 29 January 2015

Goodreads | Amazon

[Book Review] A Life Naive by Oliver Phipps

A Life Naive by Oliver Phipps
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Ride that will Open up Horizons!

Every time Oliver Phipps publishes a new book, I know that I will have a sleepless night as I'll be lost reading the book and loving it. A Life Naive is a fantastic book that opens up lives of Americans in the 60s and 70s.
Meet Hershel Lawson, a fantastic character that I loved a lot, even if he's too naive and trusts the world too much, he gives us the clear view of human personality. He's hardworking, he is not greedy and moreover, he is kind.
Sally, on the other hand, knows the harshness of the world and is first repulsed by Hershel's kindness and politeness, always thinking that he has a hidden motive for acting naive.
Their banter is fantastic, especially where Sally accuses Hershel of knowing and him not really understanding what is going on. I loved every moment of the book. I loved seeing how Hershel started to become more manly without truly losing his original character and how Sally did start to grow a soft spot for him.
The writing as always was fantastic and made me lose myself in the book and appear on highway 66 alongside Hershel and Sally experiencing their journey as if I was standing next to them and not reading about them.
Join Hershel and Sally on their journey across half of the country to Los Angeles, to make their dreams come true. Meet fantastic characters along the way and don't get lost on the Journey!




View all my reviews

Book Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner (Starbound #1)

Title: These Broken Stars

Author: Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner

Series: Starbound #1

Publication Date: 10 December 2013

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Goodreads | Amazon

[BOOK BLITZ] Scarlet Flow by Elizabeth Clayton

Title: Scarlet Flow

Author: Elizabeth Clayton

Release Date: 26 October 2012

Goodreads | Amazon 

Manga Review: The Gentlemen's Alliance Cross by Tanemura Arina

Title: The Gentlemen's Alliance Cross

Original Title: Shinshi Doumei Cross

Author: Tanemura Arina

Artist: Tanemura Arina

Year of Release: 2004

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, School Life, Shoujo, Slice of Life

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 59

Volumes & Chapters:

11 Volumes in Total 

Mangafox | Goodreads | Myanimelist

[Release Day Blitz] A Life Naive by Oliver Phipps

Title: A Life Naive
Author: Oliver Phipps
Release Date: 14 October 2017

Summary:

Life for twenty-seven-year-old Hershel Lawson has been relatively uneventful and that’s the way he likes it. When his grandmother passes away, leaving him her car and a last wish of him taking her ashes to L.A., his life takes a turn and it will never be the same again. With his new task and grandmother's ashes, Hershel sets out from St. Louis Missouri in the spring of 1962. He travels unimpeded along scenic Route 66 for two days, but is suddenly and unexpectedly relieved of two important things, his car and wallet. Sally is a sassy and street smart young woman on her way to Hollywood. She's determined to prove everyone wrong in the "one horse town" she left and make it as an actress in California. Through mishaps of her own, Sally comes across Hershel. Though neither one realizes it, the real journey is about to begin. Take a seat and journey with Hershel and Sally along historic Route 66 during its heyday. Laugh and maybe shed a tear or two as they struggle against the odds, and often each other, to make it a few more miles down the highway.

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~ Teaser ~

Around one o'clock Hershel pulled into a small town. He found a gas station that had a cafe next door. As the attendant filled the car with gas and Hershel went to the restroom, a man in a checkered suit watched him with interest from across the street. Hershel paid for the fuel and then pulled the Lincoln next door to the cafe. He walked inside and had a seat. "I'll be right with you, Darlin." A waitress called out to him as he sat. Hershel waved to her and then looked around the small establishment. It had a cozy felling and the wonderful fragrance of food drifted about. Several minutes later the waitress had taken Hershel's order and he was sipping his soda through a straw. The man dressed in a checked suit came into the cafe. He appeared to be around forty years old and had his hair slicked back. He was carrying a suitcase and walked towards Hershel, but seemed to be looking for a place to sit. He glanced down to Hershel and stopped. "Harold... Harold Madlock, what are you doing here, you old badger?" The man in the checkered suit patted Hershel on the back and quickly sat down across from him as if ready for a long discussion. "Excuse me?" Hershel said with a bit of shock. "Harold, don't you remember me? The convention in Chicago, two years ago? Come on Harold, how could you forget a night like that. I mean, I had a hangover for a week, but we painted the town red. You telling me you forgot me already, Buddy?" Hershel looked back to see if there was someone behind him. When he realized the man was really talking to him he almost stuttered a response. "I.. uhm, I'm not Harold. My name is Hershel, Hershel Lawson." The man examined Hershel very closely. "You got to be kidding me... No, you're not Harold are you? I can't believe it. You're the spitting image of my buddy Harold. That's uncanny." At this point the waitress brought Hershel his hamburger and some French fries. The man glanced at her and said, "could you bring me a coffee sweetheart?" "Sure thing dear." The waitress replied and was off again. "Do you mind if I sit with you and drink my coffee, Hershel? I'm just amazed at how much you look like my friend Harold." Hershel nodded, "I don't mind, Mr...?" "Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners?" The man held his hand out across the table. "John, ahh, John, Smith. I'm please to meet you Hershel." The two shook hands and the waitress returned with John's coffee. He then proceeded to talk for ten minutes about his job with a shoe company and how he was on his way to close a big deal in Oklahoma City. "Yeah, this would have been a huge contract for me. It would have meant a great Christmas for my wife and three kids. But... I guess it's going to fall through." Hershel was chewing his food and listening with interest. He swallowed and asked, "why do you say that, John?" John looked at him with sadness, "well, my car conked out on me. I just don't think I'll make it in time to close the deal. I'm trying my best to get there in time but I'm losing hope now. It's going to be a tight Christmas if I lose this deal. I may even lose my job." John took another sip of his coffee and glanced at Hershel over the rim of the cup. Hershel thought for a few seconds. Then, still holding a French fry in his hand he asked, "is Oklahoma City on highway 66?" John perked up a little. "Yes, it's west of here, and 66 runs right through it." "I'm going west. I could give you a ride if you want." Hershel then put the French fry in his mouth. "Oh, my.... oh, could you do that, would you, Hershel? I would really owe you, Buddy. My goodness someone upstairs must be looking out for me. That would be so great. I could help you with gas." The waitress brought the two tickets as John was saying this. John immediately took both. "Your meal is on me, Hershel. You just don't know what this means to me." "Well, it's alright John. I would hate for you to miss the meeting and have a terrible Christmas. I'm going that way anyhow." Hershel then finished off his soda as John went to pay for the meal and coffee. When the two walked out to the Lincoln, John whistled out loud. "Wow, this is a beauty. You must be doing well. I love these Lincolns, they're beautiful cars." John then put his suitcase in the back seat. After Hershel got in, he immediately reached over and moved his grandmother's ashes to the middle of the seat. Then John got into the front passenger seat. "So, what do you do, Hershel? I don't think you're in the shoe business if you're driving a car like this." As Hershel moved the Lincoln back onto the road, John put his arm on the open window and Hershel replied. "This was my grandmother's car. She gave it to me after she passed away. I don't really do anything. I was taking care of her. But now I'm just taking her to California." John's face twisted a bit when Hershel said this. he glanced in the back seat and then back to Hershel. "What do you mean, you're taking her to California? I thought you said she passed away?" "Yes, well I'm taking her ashes to California." Hershel nodded to the case sitting between them. John looked at the case and his face again twisted a little. He recovered quickly and chuckled a bit. "Oh, I see. Well, that's real nice of you, Hershel. So, she just gave you the car?" "Uhm, well she gave me some money too. But she gave most of her stuff to my brother. I guess she figured he had a family and needed it more than I did." "Ahh, I see, yeah having a family costs more." John then turned and watched the scenery go by for a while. After about an hour, Hershel pulled the wallet from his back pocket. He reached over and put it in the glove box. "Pardon me, John. This hurts my... hip after a while." "No, it's alright. I understand, I'm the same way. That's where I generally keep mine as well." After John said this the two again watched the scenery. Soon they passed a sign indicating they were coming into the state of Kansas. "You ever been to Kansas, Hershel?" "I don't think I've ever been out of Missouri." He replied. John nodded and smiled. "Well we won't be in Kansas for long. This is just the corner of the state. We'll be coming to Oklahoma soon." Sure enough, a ways down the road they passed the Oklahoma state sign. Later, they stopped for a quick meal to go. After this, the houses became fewer and father between as they continued west. Hershel eventually began searching around nervously. "I sure need to find a restroom," he finally said aloud. "Just stop at one of these big tree's." Hershel glanced at John. "No, I need a real restroom." "Ohhh," John said. "Well, we may have some trouble finding one around here." He then appeared to think of something. "I may know where one is. It's a little crude, but it may work in a pinch." Hershel glanced at John with a look of pain in his eyes. "How far is it?" "Oh, just a few more miles." John replied with a smile. As the sun began to set, John pointed at an abandon gas station on the road side. Hershel pulled up beside two antique pumps. "This place is closed." Hershel said as he looked over the boarded up and derelict store building from the window. "Yes, but there's an outhouse in the back. I've had to use it myself several times. Like I said Hershel, it's a bit crude, but in an emergency it'll do." The word emergency seemed to bring the urgency for a bathroom back to Hershel and he grimaced a bit in pain. "Does it have... you know, paper?" Hershel asked, still seeming a little reluctant. "Oh...." John looked around. He then reached into a paper bag and pulled out some napkins. "Here you go. I didn't use my napkins from dinner. You're welcome to them." Hershel took them. He turned the car off and pulled the keys out of the ignition. He then got out and shut the door. John got out of the car and as Hershel was about the go around the building John called out. "Hey, Hershel." Hershel stopped and  turned around. "Do mind if I put my bag in the trunk? I might take a little nap in the back seat later, if it's alright with you." As John said this he opened the back door on the car and pulled his suitcase out. "Yeah, okay..." Hershel said, and reaching into his pocket pulled the keys out. He hurriedly walked back over to John and handed them to him. Then he moved quickly towards the outhouse again. John took the keys and opened up the trunk. He moved one of Hershel's suitcases to the side. He then pulled the footstool and box of family pictures out. He sat them on the ground behind the car and put his suitcase in the empty spot. He chuckled as he shut the trunk lid. "Way too easy," he said to himself as he got into the drivers seat of the Lincoln. He started the car and pulled away from the old pumps. He then stopped. Opening the door, he sat Ethel's ashes outside on the ground. Then John drove away in the Lincoln. A few minutes later, Hershel walked around the abandon store to find the car gone. He jogged over to the footstool and pictures on the ground. "Hey.... what....hey?" Expressing fright, Hershel jogged down the road a little ways. He then turned and jogged the other way. He stood in the middle of the highway as dusk was overtaking the day. With his head hanging he started walking back towards the store, then spotted the case with his grandmother's ashes. He ran to it and picked it up. He laughed a little and almost hugged the case. Hershel then picked up the footstool and pictures and moved over to the small overhang of the old store. He sat underneath it and looked out at the road, wondering what to do. As dusk turned to night, he sat holding the case and watching the occasional car or truck go by.

Like what you read? Get your copy @ Amazon

~ About Author ~

Oliver served as a Paratrooper in the United States Army and studied at MSC. In the late 1980s through mid 90s Oliver perused his love of music. He enjoyed traveling, playing percussion and writing lyrics for popular bands. During this time Oliver also began writing short stories and articles. After playing for thousands in the fall and winter of 1996 Oliver’s band abruptly disbanded. Oliver along with a good friend, that was a guitarist got together to form a new band in early spring of 1997. However rather than form a new band the two put together an expedition plan to travel to Northern Canada and Alaska to prospect for gold. Leaving in April of 1997 Oliver and company traveled up the historic AL-CAN highway. After exploring the Yukon and Northwest territories of Canada as well as the Arctic Circle the team traveled over the Top of the World highway to Alaska. 1999-2000 Oliver traveled through Asia, visiting Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and other countries. In 2004 Oliver published his first book and continues writing articles and stories under various pseudonyms. Currently Oliver and family reside happily in the U.S.

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~ Other Books by the Author ~

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Book Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers (Alienated #1)

Title: Alienated

Author: Melissa Landers

Series: Alienated #1

Publication Date: 4 February 2014

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Goodreads | Amazon

[Book Blitz] Chubby Wubbles: A Ferret's Tale by M.J. Abrams

Title: Chubby Wubbles: A Ferret's Tale

Author: M.J. Abrams

Release Date: 29 December 2011

Goodreads | Amazon 

[Book Blitz] Transducer by Clayton Berry (Transducer Volume 1)

Title: The Transducer 

Author: Clayton Berry 

Series: The transducer Vol.1  

Release Date: 19 September 2017

Amazon 

Summary: 

Sometime in the future, major cities fell due to an event named "The Sundering". This event allowed corporations such as the Transcendi Corporation to run the daily aspects of our lives. The Chinese invaded California. A decorated commissioner went missing. A dangerous prototype unveiled. A detective hid a secret. This is the first chapter of "The Transducer".

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Manga Review: Love's Supreme Principle by Kanan Minami

Title: Love's Supreme Principle 

Original Title: Ren-ai Shijou Shugi

Author: Kanan Minami

Artist: Kanan Minami

Year of Release: 2002

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Martial Arts, Mature, Romance, School Life, Shoujo, Smut

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 41.5

Volumes & Chapters: 8 Volumes

Volume 1 Chapters 1-5                     Volume 5 Chapters 21-25.5
Volume 2 Chapters 6-10.1                Volume 6 Chapters 26-31
Volume 3 Chapters 11-15.1              Volume 7 Chapters 32-36.1
Volume 4 Chapters 16-20.1              Volume 8 Chapters 37-41.1

Mangafox – Goodreads

[RELEASE DAY BLITZ] Money Power Love by Joss Sheldon

 

Title: Money Power Love

Author: Joss Sheldon

Release Date: 7 October 2017

Summary:

- ALL WARS ARE BANKERS’ WARS - Born on three adjacent beds, a mere three seconds apart, our three heroes are united by nature but divided by nurture. As a result of their different upbringings, they spend their lives chasing three very different things: Money, power and love. - This is a human story: A tale about people like ourselves, cajoled by the whimsy of circumstance, who find themselves performing the most beautiful acts as well as the most vulgar. - This is a historical story: A tale set in the early 1800s, which shines a light on how bankers, with the power to create money out of nothing, were able to shape the world we live in today. - And this is a love story: A tale about three men, who fall in love with the same woman, at the very same time… - This is a story which will make you laugh, cry, smile, cringe, scream and shout. It truly is a unique work of literary fiction…

Get your copy @

        

~ About Author ~

- Joss Sheldon is a scruffy nomad, unchained free-thinker, and post-modernist radical. Born in 1982, he was brought up in one of the anonymous suburbs which wrap themselves around London's beating heart. Then he escaped! - With a degree from the London School of Economics to his name, Sheldon had spells selling falafel at music festivals, being a ski-bum, and failing to turn the English Midlands into a haven of rugby league. - Then, in 2013, he ran off to McLeod Ganj; an Indian village which plays home to thousands of angry monkeys, hundreds of Tibetan refugees, and the Dalai Lama himself. It was there that Sheldon wrote his debut novel, 'Involution & Evolution'. - With several positive reviews to his name, Sheldon had caught the writing bug. He travelled to Palestine and Kurdistan, where he researched his second novel, 'Occupied'; a dystopian masterpiece unlike any other story you've ever read. - It was with his third novel, ‘The Little Voice’, that Sheldon really hit the big time; topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, and gaining widespread critical acclaim. - Now Sheldon has returned with his fourth, and most ambitious novel yet. “Money Power Love” is a literary mélange of historical, political and economic fiction; a love story that charts the rise of the British Empire, and the way in which bankers, with the power to create money out of nothing, were able to shape the world we live in today…

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~ Other Books by the Author ~

 

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