Tag Archives: Fictions

An Accidental Odyssey by KC Dyer – Review & Giveaway

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An Accidental Odyssey by KC Dyer – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Gianna Kostas is on the cusp of a fairy-tale life. Sure, she’s just lost her job, but she’s about to marry one of New York’s most eligible bachelors. On her way to taste wedding cakes, though, things go sideways. Shocking news sends Gia off on a wild journey halfway around the world in pursuit of her ailing–and nearly estranged–father.

In Athens, she learns Dr. Kostas, a classics professor, is determined to retrace Odysseus’s famous voyage. This is a journey her father is in no condition to take alone, so Gia faces a tough decision. When an unexpected job offer helps seal the deal and quash the guilt Gia feels from her disapproving groom-to-be, the journey is on. But as Gia adventures–and eats–her way around the Mediterranean, she discovers that confronting epic storms and ripped surfer dudes might be the easy part.

Along the way, as she uncovers family secrets, finds heartbreak, and learns more about a certain archaeologist with a mysterious past of his own, Gia discovers that fairy-tale endings might be messy and complicated, but they can happen anywhere.

 

 

Review:

An Accidental Odyssey by KC Dyer is the second book in her An Exlibris Adventure series.  I have not read the first book, and thought this read well, since it is more of a standalone. Gianna (Gia) Kostas, our heroine, is set to marry one of New York’s wealthy eligible bachelors, and leaving her job writing food stories and recipes. Her fiancée, Anthony, makes all kinds of plans for the wedding, with his mother’s help, and Gia just follows his plans.  Until she gets a call that her father has collapsed, and she rushes to the hospital; her father Ari is already planning to leave, and says he feels fine, having a minor TIA incident.  When she returns the next morning, he has already left, leaving behind his medicine. 

Gia discovers her father, who is a professor, is determined retrace Odysseus’s voyage and left for Athens. She decides he can not do this alone in his condition, despite his denials, and follows him to Greece; leaving her fiancée to handle all the wedding plans, as she expects to be back in a few days.

What follows is a wild adventure across the Mediterranean, with Gia joining her father in his discoveries, and gets approval to write a daily food blog on Mediterranean food in all the countries they are visiting.  Along the way she meets a wild array of different and fabulous people, including Dr. Raj Malik, an archaeologist, who works closely with her father.  Of course, Gia finds herself attracted to Raj, as he is to her; but she is still trying to keep her relationship with her fiancée; even though she doesn’t like his overall dominance. Gia also begins to learn more about her father’s earlier past life, the women he loved; as well as family secrets.

An Accidental Odyssey was very well written by KC Dyer, who gave us fabulous trips and scenery through the journey. I did like Gia and Raj, and hoped they would end up together, not with as her fiancée, Anthony. You will need to read the book to find out what happens.  I did think there was a bit too much details, but overall, it was a very good story line. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

KC DYER is graciously offering a paper copy of An Accidental Odyssey to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

IMPORTANT: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please CLICK on the title, and it should take you directly to the post.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Follow KC Dyer on  Facebook

4. LIKE The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

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6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

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8. Giveaway is USA only

9. Giveaway runs from December 15 to 20, 2021

 

 

 

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When The Skies Cry by Steve N Lee – a Review

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When The Skies Cry by Steve N Lee – a Review

 

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Description:
Sometimes, the one you’re saving is really saving you.

Harley loses everything when his master dies — his home, his best friend, his reason for living. Day after day, he trudges the streets, trembling from the biting cold, whimpering from the gnawing hunger.

Across town, Rachel has an alimony hearing looming and a make-or-break deadline hurtling toward her, yet they aren’t her biggest worries — her autistic son has withdrawn so far into his own private world, he barely acknowledges she even exists.

Luckily, the magic of life is in the surprises no one ever sees coming…

 

 

 

Review:

When the Skies Cry by Steve N Lee is another one of his standalone novels that centers on a dog.  Having read the previous book by Lee, I looked forward to reading this one.  I really enjoyed this book, though I did have mixed feelings, which I will detail later in this review. 

We meet Harley at the start, as he doesn’t understand why his owner isn’t responding to him.  The owner is dead, and in a short time Harley finds himself on the streets, desperate for food, and everywhere he goes, no one helps him, and he runs into nasty teenagers who try to harm him.

Rachel, our heroine, has issues fighting her ex-husband for alimony, as she takes care of their autistic son. Rachel has her hands full trying to train her son, who is very withdrawn, at doing questions and answers.  When she takes Wes for a walk in the park, the nasty teenagers make fun of her son, until Harley comes out under the bench and scares the teenagers.  Wes finds himself enamored of the dog, and though Rachel does not want to bring the dog home, she sees he is starving, and most importantly, the dog seems to bring out another side to Wes. 

When Rachel can’t find Harley’s owner, she decides to keep him, as she can see the change in Wes.  Harley was a fantastic dog, knowing all kinds of tricks, especially making Wes and even Rachel laugh. In a short time, she will have to fight for Harley, as the deceased owner left a will, but the lawyer knows what is best for the dog, and luckily it turns into her favor.  Harley was an amazingly and wonderful dog, so much fun, and very loyal to both Wes and Rachel.  Wes improved so much, even in a specialized  school, they notice how much more he is talking and even helping others.

Rachel will discover, thanks to Harley, that she has a disease and will need chemo.  She prepares her friend Izzy to learn how to handle Wes, in the event if things go bad.

Now to my mixed feelings.  I thought the early part where Harley suffered was a bit depressing, though I understood that.  The majority of the book was wonderful, however the last few chapters of the end of the book totally turned me off, as it was very depressing and a shock.  The author decided to create an alternate ending that the reader can choose; which I did enjoy and chose. When the Skies Cry was well written by Steve N Lee.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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