Review – The Girl Once Known by R M Demeester @rmdemeester

Posted on December 6, 2024 by fundinmental

MY REVIEW

I had read Yours Truly by R M Demeester and loved it, so I have kept my eyes open for more of her books.

The Girl Once Known is a look into the lives of a highly dysfunctional family, of which Mira is the star. She is burdened with OCD and a need for everything having a place and being in it. She loves her surroundings clean and organized. She lives with her mother and sister who constantly berate her. The way they treat her is horrendous. When an opportunity comes for her to move out and live with her estranged father she doesn’t hesitate.

Her boyfriend helps ground her, but what happens when his actions pull her feet out from under her? In her confusion, she runs from the house. Someone hits her and runs. She is left bloody and broken. I knew the answer of who hit her couldn’t be as easy as the first person I suspected, or the second person I suspected. I love a twisty plot that takes its time unraveling, keeping me turning the pages, having to know the answer.

You won’t get all the answers from The Girl Once Known, so I am quickly going to dive into the next book in the series The Bond Once Broken.

I want to thank R M Demeester and Booksprout for the opportunity to read and review The Girl Once Known by R M Demeester.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

After a violent hit-and-run shatters Mira Harris’s life, she finds herself at a crossroads.

Before the accident, Mira, haunted by a childhood shaped by dysfunction and the recent return of her estranged father, has always sought order to cope. Her relationship with Joseph Oliver, a young man with a troubled past, provided a semblance of balance. But now, with her trust broken and her body battered, to find out who wanted to harm her, she must peel back layers of lies, confronting not just the driver’s identity but the very fabric of her childhood.

As the truth inches closer, Mira and those closest to her face a reality more daunting than her injuries. Is uncovering the truth worth the risk and the personal cost not only to Mira but also to those closest to her?

Genre: Fiction, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2024

ABOUT R M DEMEESTER

R.M. Demeester, from Saskatchewan, loves being a mom, reading books, and writing. She’s been writing since she was very young. Today, she’s known for her stories in women’s fiction, romantic suspense, and thrillers. She also has a rescue dog named Gainer, a chocolate lab who passed away recently, but is still very much loved and missed. Her newest book, “The Girl Once Known”, comes out in February 2024.

MY R M DEMEESTER REVIEWS

Yours Truly

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$15 GC – Scars Of The Heart by Bob Van Lawerhoven @partnersincr1me

Posted on December 6, 2024 by fundinmental

SCARS OF THE HEART

by Bob Van Laerhoven

November 25 – December 6, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Why can people be so cruel to each other? In his search for answers, Bob Van Laerhoven concentrates on individuals, but ideologies, religions, and political structures shimmer in the background.

Through ten stories set in different countries and eras, Van Laerhoven takes us through the destructive consequences of our passions as a common thread, from contemporary Syria to Algeria in the 1950s, and the civil war in Liberia to the uprising in Belgian Congo in the 1960s.

The ten stories in SCARS OF THE HEART highlight the dark side of love, which fuels our violence, inner loneliness, and greedy egos.

Praise for Scars Of The Heart:

SCARS OF THE HEART received a New York Book 2024 Festival Honorable Mention in the category Anthologies/Compilations and a Gold Book Award 2024 from Literary Titan.

“SCARS OF THE HEART Heart by Bob Van Laerhoven is a compelling collection of short stories that delve into the profound impacts of war… The settings range from the war-torn Middle East to World War II and Nazi Germany, bridging past and present to create relevant and relatable narratives. I finished the book with immense respect for the author’s raw and heartbreaking portrayals of reality. The non-war stories are equally compelling, showcasing Van Laerhoven’s versatility and skill in crafting riveting tales. Fans of Roald Dahl or Edgar Allan Poe will appreciate the beautifully crafted stories in SCARS OF THE HEART. For those who enjoy well-constructed plots and complex characters, this collection is a must-read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who can endure the psychological turmoil and pain depicted, as it offers profound insights into the atrocities and resilience of life.”
~ 5-stars Literary Titan Review

“In SCARS OF THE HEART, Bob Van Laerhoven has taken a most controversial subject and written ten short stories around it. Each story is unique in its own right but the same theme is carried through each one. The author holds the reader’s attention in each story for different reasons… Each story has a different tale and lesson to be learned and each title is more intriguing than the last. Bob Van Laerhoven has highlighted the atrocities that were committed during the various wars throughout the ages, how nobody is ever allowed to forget them, and how it affects vulnerable youngsters growing up as they learn the truth–as seen through the eyes of a relative, family friend, or even history–of what happened to their family, village, and country. This is a most interesting anthology and will give readers much food for thought. It is a profound read and I will be sure to reread some of the more intriguing stories because there is so much to learn from them.”
~ Reviewed by Bernadette Longu for Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars

“Mr. Van Laerhoven is an artist with words who paints in all mediums.
He also has the ability to make you think and feel.
In this collection of short stories his talent is on display with a heavier hand in horror and angst, and it works well. There is no sugar coating what the characters see and do, and yet it is so real, you can picture each part of it, and will find the stories will not go away when you finish them…
These stories are wonderful, unsettling, and should be on your list to read. Highly recommended.”
~ Hussong’s Cantina – Amazon.com

“SCARS OF THE HEART is a collection of short stories by Bob van Laerhoven that explores the darker sides of the human psyche and the complex nature of human relationships. Laerhoven brings together narratives on the themes of love, loss, revenge, and redemption. Each story is complete on its own, yet together, they paint a vivid picture of the scars that life can leave on the heart.
While SCARS OF THE HEART is an intriguing collection, some readers may find the intensity and dark themes challenging. Laerhoven does not shy away from depicting violence and emotional suffering. While these align with the subject of the stories, they can be unsettling. Additionally, the complex nature of some stories may require careful reading to fully appreciate the symbolism they embody. For fans of thought-provoking and emotionally resonant fiction, I give it five stars out of five.”
~ 5-Star Review David Ikediuwa – Goodreads

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense-Drama, Historical Literary Fiction
Published by: Next Chapter
Publication Date: May 28, 2024
Number of Pages: 245
ISBN: 9784824193995 (ISBN10: 4824193990)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Kobo | Goodreads

Author Bio:

A full-time Belgian/Flemish author, Laerhoven has published (traditionally) 44 books in Holland and Belgium. As a freelance travel writer, he explored conflicts and trouble spots across the globe from the early 1990s to 2003: Somalia, Liberia, Bosnia, Sudan, Gaza, Iran, Iraq, Mozambique, Kosovo, and Myanmar… to name a few. Echoes of his experiences on the road trickle through in his novels.

Catch Up With Bob Van Laerhoven:
www.BobVanLaerhoven.be
Goodreads
BookBub – @BobvanLaerhoven
Instagram – @bobvanlaerhoven
Threads – @bobvanlaerhoven
Twitter/X – @bobvanlaerhoven
Facebook

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Apocalyptic/Dystopian Review – My Only Friend, The End by Steven Owad

Posted on December 5, 2024 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

How do you review a book when there is only one character?

Get lost in his mind. Share his highs and lows. He won’t run out of food for a long time. He can create power through solar energy. He can have hot showers and cold drinks. But, there is no one to talk to. He will always be alone. His memories, especially his regrets, hound him, dragging him so low he can’t function. There is no one to help him. He must help himself.

Travel with him. See the sights while looking for survivors. Where are they most likely to be…if they are anywhere? Transportation is easy to find and gas is plentiful.

Could there be animals? Pets? My mind kept going to Terminator, when Sarah Connor is in the Jeep with her dog.

How do you end the book? I kept wondering how the book would end. I mean, he is the only human left on the planet. Would he drink and drug himself to death? Would he create a homestead and settle down? Would there be no dramatic or happy ending?

I love apocalyptic/dystopian novels and was surprised at how much I enjoyed My Only Friend, The End by Steven Owad. Steve managed to keep me turning pages, having to know what comes next. The emotional journey hit every high and low you can imagine. The ending…I was satisfied. What else could I ask for?

I want to thank Steven Owad and Paper Angel Press for the opportunity to read My Only Friend, The End.

GOODREADS BLURB

Surviving was easy. The hard part—living alone—starts now.

For Owen Bale, life in Great Falls, Montana, is good. He has a loving wife and son, a career as a writer, and plenty of reasons to get up in the morning.

The charmed existence ends one sun-kissed day when everyone in town—maybe everyone everywhere—drops dead. Owen is left alone in a city on fire.

The options sit tight and wait for help or seek out survivors. One thing’s if Owen doesn’t move—and move fast—the stresses of the flash extinction will swallow him whole.

He sets out in search of people—and of the cause of the devastation. Cosmic cataclysms. Pandemics. Bio-warfare. Earth has been through five mass extinctions. How do they differ from what’s happened now? Maybe God was behind the carnage. Or little green men. Whatever the answer, why was Owen spared? And if he’s alive, it stands to reason others survived, too. If all people everywhere are in fact gone, will there be any point in going on?

Staying sane and strong in a hostile landscape filled with unexpected dangers would be easier if Owen’s own inner demons weren’t along for the journey. Finding the post-civilization promised land will take every ounce of courage and self-knowledge he can muster.

Genre: Apocalyptic, Contemporary, Disaster Fiction, Dystopian, Fiction, Literary, Science Fiction
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2024 by Paper Angel Press

ABOUT STEVEN OWAD

Steven lives in Calgary, Canada, where he works as an editor. His novels have won praise in publications such as Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Mystery Scene, and his stage plays have been produced in theaters throughout North America.

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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$25 GC – Tangled Darkness by MM Desch @partnersincr1me @marymdesch

Posted on December 3, 2024 by fundinmental

TANGLED DARKNESS

by MM Desch

December 3, 2024 Cover Reveal

Synopsis:

In a twisted web of lies, she’s either the spider or the fly.

When a psychiatric clinic assistant turns up dead, Dr. Leslie Schoen finds herself a suspect in the case—and facing allegations which could destroy her career.

As Detective Davis works the investigation, Leslie launches her own inquiries. She soon uncovers deception and illegal schemes involving stolen prescription opioids at her clinic. It seems everyone around her is hiding something, and as she gets closer to the truth, the threats against her escalate. She struggles with keeping dangerous information from her pregnant wife, Izzy, and knows she needs to confront traumatic demons from her own past. But as she delves deeper into a web of lies, one thing becomes clear: someone will do anything to keep their criminal plans in the shadows.

With her family and even her life on the line, Leslie must outwit those who want her silenced before it’s too late. No one’s motives are what they seem, and the killer may be closer than anyone thinks.

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological Thriller
Published by: Rowan Prose Publishing
Publication Date: July 15, 2025
Number of Pages: 339
ISBN: 9798227130914
Book Links: Amazon | Kobo | Apple | BookBub | Goodreads | Books2Read

Author Bio:

Mary Desch, writing under the pen name MM Desch, brings a wealth of psychiatric expertise to her gripping psychological thrillers. Drawing from her extensive career as a general and addiction psychiatrist across multiple states, she crafts relatable characters facing intense psychological and physical dangers. Her deep understanding of human motivations, conflicts, and trauma recovery infuses her writing with authenticity and suspense.

A lifelong mystery enthusiast, Mary’s passion for the genre evolved from childhood fascination with Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine to a deep appreciation for detective fiction in college. This enduring love for suspenseful storytelling naturally led her to write psychological thrillers.

When not delving into the intricacies of her next novel or novella, Mary enjoys hiking, long walks with her wife and their spirited mini schnauzer, exploring local food scenes, golfing, and following women’s professional basketball.

Mary’s debut thriller, Tangled Darkness, marks the beginning of a promising foray into psychological suspense fiction.