Sunday, February 28, 2021

Who's Voola?

USA Today bestselling author, From Womens' Pens author and humorist, Susan Jean Ricci is best known for her series of works titled Cindy's Crusades. Here is her review for my new thriller, Overdue:


Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2021

Verified Purchase
“These days germs are nothing to sneeze at.”
(I know, right?)

Reading a story with the descriptive prose Uvi Poznansky is famous for is always a delightful experience and Overdue (Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance Book 4) is no exception. I’m no stranger to the wonderful characters starring in this tale, as this isn’t my first adventure with this snappy, imaginative series.

Imagine feeling as if you can exist in both the present and the past at the same time? Michael and Ashley have returned to their virtual reality ‘games’ - this time during the pandemic - to confront the Russian Mafia, restore stolen identities (both personal and insurance-wise), while Ash tries to extract the name of the thug who’d raped her. They are foiled at every turn.

As much as virtual reality has its pros, it also possesses cons, like cyber sickness, but that’s the least of Ash’s problems – discovering who has stolen her identity is – but, the issue of her empty bank account and stolen medical cards turn into out to be a much bigger scheme than the she and Michael realizes.

After Michael’s Tesla is incinerated by unknown bad guys, they’re left to wonder what’s next in store. After Michael is injured, Ash fears for her parents, whether it’s the pandemic, the Mafia, whatever – no one seems exempt from danger.

Darling Pa has also unintentionally contributed to Ashley’s woes, and every way she turns spells another disastrous episode for her and the ones she loves.

Just when I thought I had things figured out, Ms. Poznansky pulled the rug out from under my smug, little feet with twists leading me in unexpected directions – a reader just can’t help but continue turning the pages to see what happens next.

Overdue is a suspenseful, science fiction/action tale, dipped in the reality of our current problems with the virus, and woven with the sweet progress of Ashley and Michael’s romance. Although Ash longs for a dull moment…Oops, no spoilers here! Sorry!

A highly recommended read, with the promise of a wildly, entertaining and satisfying plot. Five golden stars for originality, action, and Ms. Poznansky’s brilliant talent for captivating her audience.

A Short & Eclectic Collection!

LISTENER

B. Roscoe

 A Short & Eclectic Collection! 

Overall  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4 out of 5 stars
Performance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reviewed: 12-01-20

A Short And Eclectic Collection Of Poems And Short Stories! 


This is a short and eclectic collection of poems and short stories – and two pictures. While all are serious in tone, the narrators are varied. They include Job’s wife, a widow, a slab of clay, a nameless ‘he’ and ‘she,’ and a cat. Each is beautifully worded and thoughtful in nature. See a description of each piece below. I rate this dark anthology four stars. 

As for the Audio: it is well-performed and consistent with the book. 

I received an audiobook and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

“I Am What I Am”: 

This short story is inspired by the Book of Job, a poetical book from the Old Testament. The Book of Job is about justice and suffering. Here is a story about Job’s wife, who desperately wants her own place in history, which is a man’s world. She suffered alongside Job, losing her wealth and her children, and has finally been buried by Job. She meets Satin, who tempts her as he did her husband. The story is both smart and beautifully written. Great care is taken to paint the surroundings in vivid detail. 

“The Hollow”: 

This is the brief story of a widow who revisits the diary that stores her memories of her late husband David, and the hollow that appears to her.  

“I, Woman”: 

This rather creative short story is narrated by a has-been slab of clay. Shaped by her Creator – a sculptor – it traces the beginnings of consciousness, when the slab is chiseled into the shape of a woman, until she turns to ash. 

“Dust”: 

This is a poem about ‘he’ and ‘she’ that seams to continue the story of the statue in “I, Woman” and her male counterpart, Adam, after they have turned to dust. 

“The Art of Dust I” and “The Art of Dust II”: 

These are photographs. 

“The One Who Never Leaves”: 

Cat lovers will love this short story which is told from a cat’s point of view. This older cat has been domesticated most of his life and rules his home as well as his owner. The cat’s attitude is on the dark side, but it feels remarkably realistic for anyone that has spent some time around cats!

Saturday, February 27, 2021

New! Hardcover editions for my series, Still Life with Memories

 I love holding a book, and the touch and weight of a hardcover one makes me realize how substantial it is and how much care has been taken to design it for me. So when Amazon invited me to join its Beta program for creating hardcover editions, I jumped on the opportunity and have been hard at work to create and publish new hardcover editions for my series, Still Life with Memories (in addition to the ebook and paperback editions.) 

If you love my writing, consider getting the hardcover editions of one of my books (or several of them) as a special gift for a special occasion for special someone in your life.


Thursday, February 25, 2021

Better than the original

 LISTENER

Anonymous


 Better than the original 

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-25-21

I first became a fan of Uvi Poznansky when we were both selected as contributors to an anthology of medical thrillers. As I read more of her work, I grew increasingly impressed with how effectively she writes across genres, shaping her style, tone, and tempo to the story being told. Perhaps that explains why, when she turns to historical fiction based on well-known biblical characters and accounts, we find her at her most poetic. 

“A Favorite Son” revisits the family of the Hebrew patriarch Isaac at the time that sons Jacob and Esau are vying for both their father’s affection and for his inheritance or ‘the birthright.’ Uvi’s narrative immediately reminded me of the puzzlement I have experienced when reading this biblical account—wondering why the conniving and deceit of Isaac’s wife Rebecca and the second-born of his twins, Jacob, were somehow presented as admirable. In Uvi’s beautifully written retelling of the story, set in modern times but still in a nomadic, patriarchal community of desert dwellers, Uvi suggests that even in the most blessed of families, husbands and wives, fathers and sons, and brothers and brothers are often left to work through the weakness, greed, and deceits of their humanity while surrounded by “the silence of God.” Though his deception, as we know from the biblical account, does lead to Jacob obtaining the birthright, Poznansky shows us that birthright is not always ‘a blessing’ and that the sins of the fathers can indeed be visited upon their sons for generations thereafter. 

Several earlier reviewers were troubled by the ambivalence of the time frame created by this nomadic family living in a day of trains, planes, and automobiles. I frankly found that a clever and provocative conveyance of the message that what is old is new, and that the family squabbles and dysfunctions of the ancients are no less the challenges of our own fragile relationships. As importantly, this modern retelling illuminates in beautiful prose the layers of meaning and message that lie in what we may once have viewed as a simple explanation of a hiccup in patriarchal order. The audio narration by David Kudler only adds to the poetic quality of this captivating and beautifully presented tale. 

Thriller at its finest

Born in Potsdam, Germany, Gisela Sedimayer has a love for the written word. Having moved to New Zealand and then to Austria, and having fought her cancer with the best weapon--creativity--she is the author of the Talon series, bringing the story and the characters to life over the course of several years. I am thrilled to find her review review for my thriller, Overdue:


Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2021

I followed Ash from book 1 and started to love her and feel with her.
But with every book I thought, now all her nightmares will be over. But will it?
The Russian mobster Vlad is out again to get her, who raped her and left her half dead, in the first book.
Now he is stealing her identity, through Linda, an actress, who made friend with her father to get to her. Her life once more is in turmoil .
Will she survive it? Will her boyfriend, Michael?
Extraordinary read. Page turner. Highly commended. Fine writing.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Exciting read!

A short & sweet review for Overdue:


Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2021

I love this series "Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance!" I’ve read them all, Coma Confidential, Overkill, Overdose and now Overdue. Uvi Poznansky always tells a riveting tale that keeps me guessing. The author does action and intrigue especially well and there is a real depth to the writing you don't often see in thrillers. Such an exciting read!

New! Hardcover editions for The David Chronicles

I love holding a book, and the touch and weight of a hardcover one makes me realize how substantial it is and how much care has been taken to design it for me. So when Amazon invited me to join its Beta program for creating hardcover editions, I jumped on the opportunity. 

In the last couple of weeks I've been hard at work to create and publish new hardcover editions for all my books (in addition to the ebook and paperback editions.) If you love my writing, consider getting the hardcover editions of one of my books (or several of them) as a special gift for a special occasion for special someone in your life.

The Hardcover edition of The David Chronicles: Trilogy has a larger trim size than the individual books, larger even than its paperback edition. Instead of a trim size of 6x9, It is 7x10. Why? First, because to me, the larger size signifies it is an important book. And second, because in their Beta program Amazon has an upper limit of 550 pages, and the paperback edition exceeds that by far (689 pages) so I figured that if I make the trim size larger, I could design the interior of the book and bring the page count within limits.

And it goes well with the six companion art books. Inspired by Art: Fighting GoliathInspired by Art: Fall of a GiantInspired by Art: Rise to PowerInspired by Art: A Peek at BathshebaInspired by Art: The Edge of Revoltand Inspired by Art: The Last Concubine are now in their hardcover edition and premium color interior on white paper. In these books, the masters of art describe the amazing story of one of the most iconic figures in history, moment to moment from youth to old age. It makes you realize how many angles there are to interpreting every detail and for understanding history.


Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Gripping Thriller!

 So glad to find this review for my thriller, Overdue:


Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2021
Overdue grabs you from the first chapter and keeps you glued in this fast paced thriller. Ash falls victim to an identity theft crime, but little does she know she's being set up for bigger things. Her old nemesis Vlad, who has ties to the Russian mob, is hatching his next grand crime enterprise. As ash digs deeper and is on the brink of exposing Vlad's intentions, she finds herself trapped in his web. Cunning, being able to think under pressure, and lots of luck are needed to keep herself alive. Excellent read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

A first-class gripping suspense thriller with perfect pacing.

 A Great review by Vine Voice reviewer Piaras for my thriller, Overdue:


Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2021

Overdue (Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance Book 4) by USA Today bestselling author Uvi Poznansky is another gripping suspense thriller in the series. It’s a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this gripping suspense thriller that it guarantees the attention of the reader. Skillfully constructed, this murder mystery will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Her bullet grazed his head, but the leader of a Russian crime organization is still breathing. One way for Vlad to avoid paying the price for his crimes is to play dead; another is to play dying. For Ash, this is not a game. She must learn his secrets. Only one problem: because of the raging pandemic, she must put her plan on hold… Vlad slips away from the hospital in a body bag, then develops a brazen fraud scheme that will bilk health insurance companies out of millions of dollars. If not caught in time, he will drive victims to suicide, rob Ash of her identity, and slit her throat… Will Ash manage to stay one step ahead of him and at the same time, protect her loved ones from contagion?’

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class suspense thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of mystery, thriller and suspense will want it.

The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Poznansky pays as much attention to her sentences as she does to her plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. Her writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create a suspenseful atmosphere throughout.

If you are looking for a well-written and exceptional thriller with amazing characters and a gripping plot then Overdue (Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance Book 4) will not leave you disappointed. I’m a big fan of this author so I’ll be looking forward to reading more from her again in the future. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

~~Mayhem/Murder/Mystery~~

I'm thrilled to get this in-depth review from Hall of Fame reviewer Serenity for my new thriller, Overdue.


Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2021

This novel has it all! Mystery combined with murder, mayhem and so much more....including the Russian mob...Wow...doesn't get any better than that for me as a reader. Toss in the Virtual Reality scenes and this author has a home run with this novel...(I will admit freely that I had to take a break from the 'blue room' last night. I had to allow myself time to absorb those scenes).

This novel takes place during the COVID pandemic in and around the city of LA. California. I kept thinking while reading it that when someone reads it in the future, they will understand completely what life was like for us. The masking, the washing of hands, the social distancing, the fear of contracting the disease, the closure of businesses and everything else that happened to our cities and how our lives changed.

Featuring Ashley and her boyfriend, Michael the story develops around them... Oh, and don't forget Browny, that lovely Golden Retriever. Members of the Russian Mob, the Voola, are at front and center. And, are they ever a tough group, Their actions leave a wake of death, destruction and create mayhem for anyone in their path.

This is a thriller which will have the reader gasping for air multiple times throughout The action starts out at a fast pace and continues to the end of the novel... Buckle your seat belt and settle in for an exciting ride.

Add identity theft and a major insurance fraud scheme which makes the read more exciting. The addition of the scenes at the Laguna Playhouse were incredible. 'A Midsummer's Night Dream' with Puck certainly takes on a new meaning for me. And, the ride in the helicopter will make your blood pressure rise with the events that unfold there. Wow...just wow....

This author has such a unique way with descriptive language and the use of analogies in her writing. Her descriptions are without parallel and her use of comparisons and analogies are superb. One example that comes to mind is the comparison of a business to the growth of a tree. Just outstanding...

Multi-dimensional plot, excellent character development. mayhem, murder and the Mob all come together to make this an outstanding read... Add, some roses and a touch of romance to bring a smile to the faces of the reader....

Lot's wife

Here's two bas-relief clay pieces I created to depict the story of Lot and his wife, who remains nameless in the bible. I always felt for this tragic female figure. While he looks ahead to restart his life in a new future, she became a column of salt, her punishment for looking back at the home she left and the burning city behind.

Terrific thriller

 Love this review for my new thriller, Overdue:


Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2021

What a perfect storm - an espionage thriller combined with identity theft in the pandemic. The protagonist, Ash, has shot a Russian crime leader named Vlad, who lies in a UCLA hospital bed in a coma. But how deep is his coma, and will he recover to come after her? The hospital is overwhelmed with Covid cases, and unlikely to keep tabs on him. Then comes more crisis when Ash and her boyfriend, Michael, rescue a woman they find near death on a deserted beach, and help to get her transported to the hospital. The mystery woman recovers and leaves the hospital having stolen Ash’s identity – driver’s license, medical insurance, everything. Then the violent Russian escapes, and what follows is a plunge into one frightening twist after another.

What distinguishes this thriller is its fine writing, deeply atmospheric, intelligent and emotional. It is another example of the author’s gift for showing ordinary people’s struggle to survive in terrifying circumstances. I enjoyed this book immensely and will recommend it to friends. Well done, five stars!