Book Review: C.D Lane: Living To Die / Dying To Live: 29 Years Surviving HIV

Living to Die/Dying to Live: 29 Years Surviving HIV

Author: C.D Lane

Title: Living To Die / Dying To Live: 29 Years Surviving HIV.

Genre: Biography and Autobiography, Personal Memoir, Biography, Personal, Autobiography, Memoir,

I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I got this book from bostick communications.

First of all l would like to say a big thank you to C.D Lane for sending me his book and giving me a chance to read it. I also want to say a big thank you to bostick communications for letting me be apart of their book reviewing team.

I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio. Even if you do not read books like this.

I normally read books of this genre but l also stepped outside my comfort zone. I am so glad l did because l have read so many great books and come across some great authors.

This book has 258 pages and 42 chapters in it.

I highly recommend this book.

Synopsis: On February the 10^th 1987, I was told I would be dead in a year. This is a book of lies exposing the truth. This is my story from my point of view with harsh revelations and very pleasant realities. Nothing will be hidden from the world when the pages are all turned. This will be a shock to some, a joy to very few and there are friends and family who may never speak to me again once the truths are no longer hidden. It has been oft adopted out of context and it is my turn now. “ and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”, (gospel of John Ch.8.VS.32) I am not speaking of the truth of knowing Jesus. I am speaking of the truth of knowing me. If the truth sets me free from relationships that can not handle the truth. I am truly sorry.

It has been said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder but l can see nothing in my past that is truly beautiful. The words will show the complications and dirtiness that is life. Some will read these words and swear l will burn in hell. Perhaps, but “ judge not, that ye be judged, for with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you” - ( Matthew . CH. 7. Vs. 1-3). so be careful. If there is a hell. You may h=join me there. The truth can also get twisted as I have done to protect the not so innocent. I will say this is my story. It is very graphic at times, hurtful of individuals at time ( not intentional) and quite possibly something you may not want your children to know about. This is not something I want my mother to read.

With regard to the form of prose. This book is written with no manual of style, with no consideration for grammar and a complete disregard for what spell check does not catch. The words are here solely to illustrate the broken truth that is life … my life.

Review: I found this book really easy to get in to and hard to put down once I started reading it. I was hooked on this book after reading the first page. I wish this book would not finish I was sad to finish reading this book. I wish there was a follow on to this book I would happily read this book again. I sometimes cuddle up with my cat reading this book or listening to magic. I am addicted to this book. I love reading memoirs and I love reading about other people stories sometimes they make me cry. I can not put in to words how great this book is I would tell people to read it for themselves to know how great it really is. Sometimes when it is too hot to sleep I would just read this book. This book is a must read l am so glad l have read this book. This book is a must have on any bookshelf. I wish I could rate this book more then five stars because it is worth more then the five stars l rated it. I reviewed this book on goodreads, amazon UK and us and on my blog. I got this book in hardback. I also share pictures on  my Instagram  donnareviewsbooks that l made to share pictures of my beautiful books. Some of the songs the author picked for his memorial are great. Wiz Khalifa see you again was played at my Grandad's funeral it was also the first song l heard after my Grandad passed away. It is so fitting for any memorial/funeral. I was sad to read about the loss of C.D Land and Amy's baby daughter Dianna Dee Lane. It is really hard to lose a loved one. I do not judge the author. I could not get enough of this book. I would love to read more from C.D Lane. This is a good but also sad book. I would happily read this book again. But I would tell people not to judge the book or author. It really is a great book. I was sad to read that so many people had sadly passed away. It was nice to read that the author was still best friends with his ex-wife. I liked that they had a daughter together. I was sad to read that lisa had passed away. I would like to say rest in peace to all the people that sadly passed away and to the families of them all sorry for your loss. It sounds like Amanda has great parents. I would chill out on my bed reading this book and listening to magic. I loved reading about the authors life and I think he is very brave telling his story. I was really sad to read that his brother passed away. It is nice that all the wedding gifts C.D Lane and Lisa got are being given to their daughter when she is ready to take them. It was nice to read that Amanda father's boyfriend and her mother's husband are going to be there for her when the time comes when her beloved father passes away. All the money from this book sale will go to Amanda after the author ( her father) passes away so please buy this book.

About The Author: Dee Lane grew up in Birch river, West Virginia, a very small, no stop light town. Lane's youthful habits may have been typical, but where mistakes that would shape who he is now in spite of the fact he was attempting to cover up who he was then. His promiscuity bordered an predatory and his seductions were numerous. On reflection most guys would simply say “ boys will be boys” while others would say he was his parent's worse nightmare. It is a semantic argument whether history proves this out, or if it was simply youthful exuberance.

Mr. Lane has always been outspoken, and often his words escape his mouth with little or no filter. Leaving home as soon as he could at just barely 18, he was off to make his own way and survive the evils of the world, the life and times of Dee Lane is not a pretty story but then life is not all daffodils and sunshine. Lies upon lies were stacked up like cord wood to hide the truth that he feared would hurt others. But this in itself was a lie to himself. Dee was diagnosed   HIV positive on February 10^th, 1987. there after accepting every illness as possibly bringing his last breathe. After a life of mistake after mistake, living like a rock star, at times on the budget of a vagrant. Sleeping with many women and men and loving a few. Spending 10 years in the navy on some wonderfully clandestine still classified missions and moonlighting in restaurants all over the world. He then marriaged his best friend with whom he had a daughter and become part owner of a restaurant. By order of his doctors. Dee Lane is now retired and writing full time.

About The Book: I really like this book cover. I like the picture on this book cover. I love the colours on this book cover. I love that the picture is a waterfall.

Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars.

Book Review: Oscar J. Phillips: The Rantings Of An Uneducated Reactionary

The Rantings of an Uneducated Reactionary

Author: Oscar J. Phillips

Title: The Rantings Of An Uneducated Reactionary

Genre: Politics and Social Sciences,Social, Politics and Government, Politics Sciences, Social Sciences, General, Politics, Sciences, Government,

I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I got this book from bostick communications.

First of all l would like to say a big thank you to Oscar J. Phillips for sending me this book and giving me the chance to read it.

I want to say a big thank you to bostick communications for letting me be apart of their book reviewing team.

I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio. Even if you do not read books like this.

I normally do not read books of this genre but l stepped outside my comfort zone with authors and genres I am so glad l did because l have read so many great books and come across some great authors.

I highly recommend this book.

Preface: I was born in Liberal, Hawaii but raised in Liberal, Rhode island. As a youngster, like 99 percent of the other kids living in the town of Coventry, yours truly was not the least bit interested in politics. Although this writer does recall thinking, as a fifteen-year-old boy, that republicans are for the rich and democrats are for the poor, which made me skeptical because it implied, unfairly, that the GOP does not like poor people and that the latter are never republicans. My parents were both democrats but were not overtly political. The word “ uneducated” in the title of this book means that the author never went to college. However, I did previously made up for not doing so, by spending four and a half years in high school instead of the usual four, like ordinary students did. For that achievement, this writer should graduated high school magna cum laude. In the year 1980, for some unknown reason, yours truly became interested in jets and which ones were the fastest at that time, I found out that the fastest jet in the world was the american SR-71 blackbird reconnaissance plane, which could fly at a speed of 3.3 mach. My interest segued in to what countries had the most nuclear weapons. In the same year, there was some news about how a nuclear arms treaty allowed the USSR to have a certain nuclear missile but the USA was not permitted to have the same kind, which just did not sound right to me. This coincided with the 1980 presidential election and the candidates' opinions about these treaties, along with other political subjects. When yours truly watched Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter debate, and then with my beginning to think about the issues afterwards, there was an epiphany. Right smack off the bat, I become a conservative and then began moving to the right. My ideology had been simmering beneath the surface for many years, though some, if not most, conservatives start off being Liberals, if they do not already have republican parents, and then begin moving up for example, our fortieth president was a liberal democrat in the 1930's, then a moderate in the 1940's, and finally, a conservative in the 1950's. But this author was influenced by no one. I would have become the same right-winger even if Ronald Reagan had never existed. A couple of years after Reagan's election, yours truly was a bit of a political junkie, reading numerous right-wing and left-wing magazines and the political opinion pages in the newspapers. Yet the writer of this book has never read an entire political book from first page to last, nor had he seriously thought about writing a letter to the editor on any matter and then one day, there was a story in the newspaper about a forum on racism.

Introduction: The local newspaper published my response to this citizens meeting on what to do about racism. The small town rag gave this author's article it is title and did the same about five weeks later, with my write-up responding to detractors in their “letter to the editor” about yours truly. From then on, I used my own titles, which the editor occasionally employed. Sometime in the mid 1980's, the political columns that ran in the newspapers gave me an idea. Being a man with a lot of strong political opinions racing through my mind, I thought that yours truly could do the same, only not nearly as much. In early 1985, this wannabe writer fancied himself an amateur columnist ( some may emphasize the word “amateur”, but that is okay) and wrote about two dozen political articles from that year until 1989. I penned a few more in the 1990's and then 17 between 2012 and 2015. The writer's very first column starts the batting order of this collection of political essays, but the rest are not in chrondogicalordert. Many of my older opinion pieces ( but not the very first one) were “polished” up. In some of them names have been changed to protect the ignorant. The sources that I used were political magazines, newspapers, and the internet. The seven “opinionated bits and pieces” that you will read are a mish-mash of random thoughts. Almost all of the columns that yours truly penned in the 1980's and 1990's are situated in the first half of the book, which is before the “planetary solar system”, while most of the ones that l wrote between 2012 and 2015, are in the second half enjoy, important: what with their predilection for peace signs, love beads, tie-dyed tee-shirts, sandals, and sit-ins, the politicals left that dominated pop culture between 1965 and 1875 did have one thing going for them that should be appreciated by us all – their diligent ad-vocacy of free speech. But, just like time, the left has changed. Many on the current left want terms like “boat rocker”, “provocative”, “rebellious”, and “non-conformist” to be reserved for progressives only, because they know that the american people, in general, romanticize individuals who passes there traits. Hence, the aforementioned words become complimentary, not stigmatizing, thereby attracting the public to the progressive message. The left will never use these labels to  describe conservative   individuals for this very reason. But, if this author is wrong about something that he said, what is so bad about that? Should one not have freedom to be wrong? Now, there are same who denigrate, mock, laugh at, and disagree with political correctness, but they will also captiulate to it. To do so, they concede it is “legitimacy”. Americans who succumb to political correctness then become intolerant themselves. Those who take umbrage that a book like this could be published today would not have batted an eye in 1970 if the same literature came out. It is the current, repressive political atmosphere that frightens them away from condoning it is release, not the book itself. Our nation should revert itself back to the hippie generation where the term “freedom of speech” was in bold print, not “quotation marks”

Prologue: Back in the 1980's, yours truly was a stanch anti-communist, not anymore presently, I am a non-communist but consider myself to be america's premier anti-socialist. Indeed, anti-socialism is narrative of the literature that you are about to read. All conservatives are pro-capitalism and all of them are non-socialism, but the vast majority of conservatives are not anti-socialism and therein lies the problem. By having this book published, is it possible that the author can change the world? Absolutely not! Is it possible that l could change america? No comment. Actually, this was written mostly for profound personal reasons.

Acknowledgments: I would first like to thank my mother and father because if it were not for them, l never would have been born. But mostly, l would like to thank myself for taking the time to write my outstanding book and l wish me the best of luck. Also, thank you, the reader, for buying this book.

This book has 320 pages and 43 chapters in it.

Synopsis: The rantings of an uneducated reactionary these days, there is no such thing as politics as usual. So   Americans who care about the future of this country needs books on politics that do not pull any punches. The rantings of an uneducated reactionary came out swinging and does not stop till the last page. These political ideological, and philosophical essays are like nothing readers have ever seen. After three decades of writing on these topics, author Oscar J. Phillips delievers incisive analysis, using humor and curve balls to keep readers on their toes. At times, readers may feel their blood boil as they read the in your-face, put-you-on-the-spot-truth, but Phillips controversial stance offers truth that can be denied. He does not dance around taboo or provocative subjects but instead offers refreshingly undiluted conservativism with super-sharp accuracy. As unorthodox as the rantings of an uneducated reactionary may be, it nevertheless fills a gap in political literature. Phillips offers unconventional political thoughts printed nowhere else.

Far different than most conservative books.

Here is a new book from a first time author who, though only a high school graduate, has written some controversial yet intelligent opinions on n array of political matters. Mr.Phillips presents us with a thought – provoking analysis an sundry topical and philosophical issues. His is an intriguing book that anybody of any political stripe will find a fascinating read. Mr. Phillips has written a cerebrally stimulating collection of essays and random thoughts that any one with just a junior high school education to a person with a PHD from Harvard, will find to be extremely interesting and educational. But be forewarned, the conservatious, it is outright iconoclastic and subversive and although the writings of Mr. Phillips are a absolute joy yo read, it is entirely possible that they could wreck psychological havoc on the on the intellectually dishonest. “hyperbole”, say you. Maybe it is … but then again, maybe it is not.

Review: I found this book really easy to get in to and hard to put down once l started reading it. It did not take me long to finish this book. I was hooked on this book after reading the first page. I can not put in to words how great this book really is I would tell people to read it for themselves to know how great it really is. My cat has the same name as the author of this book which l think it is pretty awesome as he sometimes would cuddle up with me when l was reading this book. I like reading about politics and the author I wish l could rate this book more then five stars. My cat Oscar loved cuddling up to when l was reading or reviewing books, this book is really good and l am glad this book is on my bookshelf. This book is a must read. I did not understand politics one bit until l read this book now l understand them a little I vote every year. Politics confuse me  and  this is a good book wish this book did not finish l was sad to finish it.

About The Book: I like the cover it is not too bright or not to dull. The book cover is my sister's favorite colour. It is nice that the font is white because it makes it stand out more.

Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars.

Book Review: Douglas Cowie: Noon In Paris, Eight In Chicago

Noon in Paris, Eight in Chicago

Author: Douglas Cowie

Title: Noon In Paris, Eight In Chicago

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary, Literature & Fiction, Literature,

This book I got for free as part of a goodreads giveaway and firstread I have never won anything before. I want to say a big thank you to goodreads for having a great site. I want to say a big thank you to the person who hosted the giveaway and picking me as a winner.

I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio. Even if you do not read books like this.

I normally read books of this genre but l also stepped outside my comfort zone with authors and genres l am so glad l did because l have read so many great books and come across some great authors.

I highly recommend this book.

Book Dedication: For Bob Eaglestone.

Review From Other People:

Praise For Douglas Cowie.

Douglas Cowie has captured the tragic love between Nelson Algren and Simone De Beauvoir with heart felt innocence. Focusing on the simple truths and fundamental desires that arguably these two great intellectuals had denied themselves with others, Cowie exposes the tender, vulnerable soul of both with a deep sense of empathy. - Mark Blottner, co-director of Nelson Algren the end is nothing, the road is all.

Cowie brings a disarming voice and a freshness to proceedings. - Guardian.

A page-turning novel. - TLS Review.

Cowie (writes) with enormous assurance and off beat charm. - The Times.

An uncanny ability to evoke time and place … an intriguing novel. - Scotland On Sunday.

This book has 314 pages and 15 chapters and 3 parts in it.

Synopsis: Chicago, 1947: on a freezing February night, France's feminist icon Simone De Beauvoir calls up radical resident novelist Nelson Algren, Asking him to show her around. After a whirlwind tour of dive bars, cabarets and police lock up, the pair return to his apartment on Wabansia Avenue. Here, a passion is sparked that will last for the next decades. Their relationship intensifies during  intoxicating months spent together in Paris and Chicago. But in between are long, anguished periods apart are filled with competing desires – lovers old and new, writing, politics, gambling – which ultimately expose the fragility of their unconventional  marriage” and put their devotion to the test. Sharp and intimate, Cowie's reimagining of this turbulent love affair asks what it means to love and be loved by the right person at the wrong time.

Review: I found this book really easy to get in to. I found this book hard to put down once l started reading it. It did not take me long to finish this book. I can not put in to words how great this book is I would tell people to read it for themselves to know how great it really is. I wish l could rate this book more then five stars. This book just gets better and better as the story goes on. This book will leave you wanting more I would happily read this book again. I like reading about Nelson and Simone and them falling in love and travelling to different place and seeing different scenery . I am enjoying reading this book and sometimes l would cuddle up with my cat when reading this book. I got lost in this book and storyline very easily. This book will take you away. This book is addicting book and storyline. I would love to read more about Nelson and Simone and more from Douglas Cowie. This book is so romantic. I wish Simone would move to Chicago to be with Nelson and they would get married and have babies. I like that Nelson and Simone went travelling together. It was sad to read that all the pictures they took when they was travelling did not come out clearly. Simone went to Chicago and Nelson went to Paris and he got to meet all Simone's friends and Simone met all Nelson's friends too. I really enjoyed reading about Nelson, his life and Simone and her life. It was nice to read that two people with different lifes and from different parts of the world fell in love. Nelson got to meet Sartre who Simone is always going on about all the time. It was horrible to read that people was calling Simone names the people who was calling her names sound jealous of Simone and her success. Poor Nelson being sea sick it was funny though. It was funny that Simone threw Nelson's favorite clothes overboard in to the sea on their journey. This book is truly amazing. I wish this book world not finish. I was sad to finish this book. I was hooked on this book after reading the first page I loved this book it is so romantic. Twenty thousand copies of Simone's book was sold I was happy to read and everybody was happy about it too. One of Nelson's books was reviewed in the times. I love reading romance novels. It was nice to read that Nelson was helping Margo to get off drugs I hope she cleans herself up and goes back to her family. It was great to read that Margo got off the drugs. Nelson and Simone sound like they make a great couple. There is nothing better than relaxing with a great book. I am happy to read that Nelson and Simone love to read books too and that they are both writers. Nelson and Simone meet when she rings Nelson to ask him to show her around Chicago. This book made me think that Nelson and Simone fell in love the first day they hat met. They sent letters to each other back and forth from Paris and Chicago. Sounds like Nelson wants children Simone. It sounds like Nelson also wants to marry Simone.

About The Author: Douglas Cowie was born in Elmhurst, Illinois, and since 1999 has lived in both England and Germany. He teaches in the department of English at Royal Holloway, university of London. He is also the author of the novels Owen noone and the marauder (2005) and two linked novella's, sing for life: tin pan alley (2013) and sing for life: away, you rolling river (2014).

About The Book: I really love this cover. The colours are really nice. I love that there is more then one colour on this book cover. My favorite colour is one of the colours and my sister's favorite colour is one of the colours too. I love that the inside of the book cover is a map of Chicago which I think is amazing.

Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars.

Book Review: E.J. Mellow: The Divide

The Divide

         

Author: E.J. Mellow

Title: The Divide

Book Series: The Dreamland Series

Genre: Fantasy, New Adult, Fiction, Romance, Paranormal, Young Adult,

Where l got the book from: This book l got for free as part of a goodreads giveaway and firstreads l never won anything before. I want to say a big thank you to goodreads for having a great site and l want to say a big thank you to the person who hosted the giveaway and picking me as a winner.

The author wrote me a little note: Donna, may this book finally make it in to your hands and the story takes you away.

I also got some badges and stickers in a little bag with my name on which l thought was cute.

I won this book the divide in a goodreads giveaway so l bought the dreamer and the dreamcatcher so l could read them all l want to buy the third book when it is released on the 17th October 2016.

Book Dedication: For those who do not think they can, but will.

Quote: What l want to do is travel deep and deeper in to the dreamland's, to find that place that l know is waiting for me here, my home - Charles De Lint.

This book has 382 pages and 45 chapters in it.

I highly recommend this book but l would tell people to read the dreamer and the dreamcatcher first.

Synopsis: Molly finally uncovers the truth about the strange dreams that plagued her sanity for weeks. Now destined to accept a clandestine role, Molly must find the strength and buried deep to push forward and succeed with the help of Dev, The roguish blue-eyed man of her dreams - whose dark park resurfaces to haunt him - Molly prepares to test the limits of her newly awakened powers and set right a world on the edge of being consumed by nightmares but when an unknown shadow stalks her every step and a shocking revelation about her ancestry comes to light, Molly may find herself forced to make a decision that could leave her alone in the dark and standing on the wrong side of a divide - the heart-thumping second installment in the dreamland series.

Praise for the dreamland series:

Lyrical, Vibrant, Imaginative. E.J. Mellow's striking, original voice will draw you in to a mesmerizing world - Emma Raveling, Author of the Ondine Quartet.

The Characters are stunning... I fell in love with all of them! - Cassandra Reads A Lot.

Review: I am glad to be carrying on with the dreamland series. I have read the first two books the dreamer and the dreamcatcher. This book is really good. I found this book really easy to get in to and hard to put down once l started reading it. I was hooked on this book after reading the first page and l am hooked on this series. I love the little message from the author in the front of my book. I am really enjoying this storyline. I can not put in to words how great this book is l would tell people to read it for themselves to know how great it really is. I can not wait to read the destined which is out on the 17^th October 2016. I like reading about Molly getting other dreamer's memories. Molly is a nature this is one of the best series l have read so far this year I only need to read the last book in this series (which is out before my birthday) it did not take me long to read this book. ; would happily read this series again. I was sad to finish this book. I can not wait to finish this series but l will be sad to finish it also. I have to wait till October to read more about Dev and Molly and the dreamland. I wish this series would not finish because it leaves you wanting more. If the first three are to go by the destined will be amazing like the dreamer, dreamcatcher and the divide. This book left me wanting to read more. I am excited to read the destined. This book is a must read but you should read all the books to get the full storyline. This is a must have on your bookshelf but you need the dreamer, the dreamcatcher, the divide and the destined so you can have the full beautiful book covers and the full series. I was sad to read that Molly and Jared broke up. Rae is so funny because he can eat anything and never be full. Rae and Becca sound like a great couple just a shame they can not stay together just glad Becca has a best friend like Molly. I can not get enough of this series. I wish that there was more then four books in the dreamland series. I loved reading about Molly,Dev, Becca, Jared and Metus and the dreams Molly has. Just wish Molly and Jared was still together because they made a great couple,

About The Author: E.J Mellow is a fantasy writer who resides in Brooklyn, New York. When she is not busy moonlighting in the realm of make believe, she can be found doodling, buried in a book (usually this one), or playing video games. The divide is the second book in her new adult contemporary fantasy trilogy, the dreamland series.

About The Book: I love this book cover and l love the colours they are not too bright and not too dull.

I was honoured to be picked to be part of the cover reveal for the destined and l can say it is beautiful.

Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

Book Promo: Jack O. Daniel: Promise Me

Promise Me has it all. It's a romantic thriller with plenty of dramatic moments. Fast-paced and addictive. It is a must-read for those enjoy full-flavored story-telling.

It poses a question: What would you do if the life of the one you love hangs in the balance, and only you could save her?

Thomas 'Easy' Steel is an EOD with the New York State Police's Bomb Disposal Unit. An anonymous caller had demanded that he disarms a bomb strapped to a woman's chest. When he arrives at the scene, he discovers that the woman is his wife, Bianca.

It shouldn’t be a big deal. After all, his nickname, Easy, had been bestowed upon him at bomb school because he's so easy-going, even when disabling live bombs. This time, however, it's different. He might not survive it.

And, what of the woman he loves with all his heart, to whom he promised eternity?

The author:

Jack O. Daniel is an alter-ego. He prefers to be an enigma. Someone who lives in the shadow, observing how people live and interact; sometimes participating but mostly he stays in the background. 

Let's just call him, the Chronicler

Buy