Book Review: Wasteland

Lynn Rush has packed one heck of a punch with Wasteland. David, whose mother used him to negotiate a deal with Lucifer, is half-human, half-demon, with a contract to find whoever his Master tells him to find (called a Mark). Recently released early from a hellish punishment a few years early, he's set on the trail of his newest Mark. Instead, he mets Beka.  Beka, on the other hand, is a Guardian. Her soul purpose in life is to protect humans from demons. Her job, when they meet, is to protect the Mark that David is hunting. When they meet? The chemistry is instantenous and off the charts.  The only problem is that David's punishment was solitary confinement - of the sensory deprivation kind - and to give in would mean the end of his humanity. Once David and Beka meet, the chemistry and the challenges that face them keep you turning pages, devouring until the end. Then? You are quite impatient for the next book! I don't want to give anything away, but Lynn Rush definitely had me going for a minute, unsure what was really happening and if they could make their love work. David is strong and honorable, but sensitive to whether or not he is worthy of love - or of a second chance. I'm not usually a fan of first person perspective, but Lynn made it genuine and believable, without drowning us in David's internal thoughts. The sizzle between David and Beka is palpable and vivid; you can't help but root for them to find a way. My only question is this - when do we get to see them again, Lynn? How long do we have to wait?

Book Review: Ruined

Kinley Baker has created an intricate and vivid world in her novel, Ruined. The mythology surrounding the world's development is fresh and unique. More than that, she's populated this world with rich and amazing characters. Jessa is endearing and warm, with a quiet inner strength that has you rooting for her from the beginning. You find yourself waxing and waning with her emotions, cheering her on. A couple of times, I caught myself fussing at her for some of her decisions, which just made her more real. It took some time for me to warm up to Vale. In the very beginning, I felt like punching him, hard. But, clever Kinley Baker opens your eye to who he is. He is everything a good leader should be, with a thread of vulnerability that endears him to you. There are still a few moments where you want to punch him, but he wouldn't be a good male lead otherwise. And this is just the two main characters. There is political intrigue, overlap from other worlds, and several other endearing characters that I cannot wait to read more about soon (in case you were wondering, Kinley Baker, that was a hint.) If you're looking for something with a unique feel, you're going to want to pick up a copy of Ruined.

Book Review: Journal Through Your Grief: Guided Journal Handbook to Work Through Loss

As a mental health professional, grief is a fundamental part of any healing process. We carry grief for long periods of time and it changes us in many ways, some subtle and some not so subtle. Mostly, however, we struggle to work through it and move forward. We struggle to know how to help someone we care for who is grieving.

I hesitate to say that this workbook is simple, because it's not. It gives you prompts to journal about some very precious memories, some very deep feelings, and some unresolved thoughts and feelings. However, it is simple in that it allows you to be yourself, and to express yourself, in a very honest way.

Robyn Lindsey provides 30 journal prompts that are thought-provoking and that touch the heart. More importantly, they touch the grief that is inside. She offers several different ways of approaching the prompts, to take it at a pace that is comfortable to each individual, while still allowing them to deal with their grief.

This would be a great tool for any mental health professional, as well as anyone who is working through grief issues. It's currently available in both paperback and in Kindle format on Amazon.com