ILL MET BY MURDER by ELIZABETH J. DUNCAN

The book is a great and entertaining cozy mystery. The details are so good that I might possibly have been on stage with the characters. The story goes at a good pace and I found myself really enjoying the book. It was an interesting concept to have the story set during a production of none other than  a Shakespeare play. That sure does bring back memories from school when i had to learn lines from his multitude of plays.

It's time for another big time production at the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company. The town is all excited as it brings in a much needed fundraising. Paula Van Dusen reminds me of a snotty well to do person who has many ties to wealthy people. She is known to be the biggest name around to bring in the money when needed. It just so happens that this year's production also will include a celebration for her daughter's upcoming wedding. Now how convenient is that? Two parties for the price of one sounds a little fishy but we will have  to see if Paula can pull it off.

Things don't go well as the party gets into full swing. The bride and her fiancé have a little competition going with a fellow guest at the party. What a coincidence that Adrian  the fiancé is a real estate mogul and who else is there? Well it's none other than his biggest enemy oops I mean competitor Hugh. Who do you suppose is found dead at the fundraiser?

Charlotte who has become an amateur sleuth .  With her able assistant  they decide to snoop or perhaps look around for clues. Why does it feel a little chilly among the bridesmaids? Do they know something about the murder?  The tension mounts as fingers are pointed and hypothetical guesses are made on why there was a murder? Is it tied to Adrian and his real estate dealings? Is he hiding something from everyone? The story is a fun read with a cast of wonderful  characters. There are secrets and twists that will have  readers on the edge of their seat. Will Charlotte and her side kick find  themselves in danger as  they try to  unravel this fun mystery?

I received a copy of this book from The Goodreads Giveaway Program. This is my honest opinion.

AND THE GREATEST OF THESE by JOE PRITCHARD

Mental health for some is a very hard subject to talk about. If it gets brought up, you can see people start to get uncomfortable. They don't know what to say and sometimes people are pushed aside when they desperately need help. I loved this book because it brought a tough subject to the forefront. Why are people who have mental illness classified as crazy? That is the stigma that society has labeled them. In this book the author really did a good job of letting us see the inner workings of an ER department and the procedures they use to help the mentally challenged. What if your grandparents were suddenly found at an ER and your granddad was being evaluated by the psych department?

John and Maggie find themselves on a roller coaster ride when John is examined and determined that it is in his best interest to be admitted. How do you explain to someone who is temporary not thinking clearly that he needs to stay for his own safety? It doesn't  help when you can hear staff complaining and realize you have  to leave your husband of over fifty years in their care. Maggie must have felt helpless.  I loved John and Maggie's story and the deep love they had for each other. Will they be able to get through the red tape and get John the help he needs?

I was overwhelmed with all the paperwork they had to endure and frustrations of trying to get the best care for John. Michael is a great character and I loved his bedside manners. He treats his patients with kindness and I loved how he slowly became part of John and Maggie's inner circle. His determination to help this couple was refreshing and emotional.  Some of the staff sure don't have any patience when it comes to the psych ward. It must be scary for a patient to be there and sense that no one cares. The book is very good and really details the ongoing problem with mental illness. Well John get the help he needs or will he get lost in the bureaucratic system? I was very impressed with the storyline and I fell in love with John and Maggie. There are some very emotional moments in the book that broke my heart as I felt myself sitting  there watching the story unfold in front of me. I became invested in the story and eagerly turned the pages in anticipation of what was to happen next. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand the struggles patients have with mental illness and a doctor who cared enough to help them.

I received a copy of this book from The Goodreads Giveaway program. The review is my honest opinion.

THE OTHER SIDE OF REASON : A JOURNAL ON PTSD by DAVID GIBSON

The book is an account of a tragedy that happened to David Gibson.  If you have ever experienced a traumatic event then this book may bring back some unwanted memories but is not intended to be a self help book. I know first hand what PTSD can do to a person. It is not easy for others to understand but it is real and at times very emotionally draining. I appreciate the authors willingness to share his story with openness and honesty.

Who knew that September 18, 2013 would turn into a disaster for passengers on a bus that ultimately resulted in a crash with a train? Who was to blame for that accident? It was later decided that the driver of the bus was at fault. On that fateful day five lives were lost. Those that survived were left to recover from physical and emotional pain. David  now must face the aftermath of going through a traumatic event. No one can truly understand the full impact that PTSD has on someone unless you experience it yourself.

David tells us through poems and writings the nightmares, the struggles, the pain, the anger and helplessness he faced everyday. His poems at times might seem like rambles but for a PTSD person they make absolute sense. It is hard to put into words the inner struggles you face and I myself find it easier to write my thoughts down. I appreciate the  author sharing his story and shining a light on PTSD. Many people deal with it everyday and this book is one that hopefully will reach people and make them aware that PTSD is real and people live with it everyday.

I received a copy of this book from Librarything's Early Reader program. This is my honest review.