Alexa's Gold (Book) - 8/1/2021 12:46:47 PM
Returning to the Iowa farmland and home after the death of your beloved grandmother to a piece of property that had been willed to you in full as your inheritance is traumatic in and of itself, but to find the property literally “uprooted” by thieves that left opened holes all over the yard looking for treasure is distressing. Two items of grandma’s are missing, and it seems that the entire town is interested in finding the prized possessions before Alexa does. Where is the missing gold coins that grandpa took from Al Capone years ago that rumor has it has been buried somewhere on the farm and grandma’s apple cake recipe that may have clues to the location of where the coins have been buried? While cleaning the old homestead, Alexa and her friend Belinda, who works together as probation officers in Chicago diligently search for the cake recipe. Alexa’s plan is to shore up the home’s foundation and sell the property once the will clears probate court, however this is delayed when Alexa’s mother files an injunction to dispute the heritance, wanting it all to herself but having received $1.00 from her deceased mother. Alexa learned later that the construction company that worked on the home’s foundation was actually on a fishing spree looking for the gold coins.
Having as many twists and turns as a roller coaster, “Alexa’s Gold” takes the reader on a ride that involves mystery, intrigue, threats, violence, kidnapping plots, death, stake outs, and romance. The book is full of numerous side plots that tie into the storyline nicely. Alexa is challenged on many levels and with the help of Belinda (who wants to play matchmaker), sorts through all the confrontations that develop. Donan Berg has given the reader a very well-written, steady read that is entertaining and captivating. After connecting all of the storylines together, Berg closes with a very surprising ending (no spoiler alerts here); you gotta read “Alexa’s Gold” to find out. I recommend this one!
Alexa's Gold (Book) - 10/3/2018 8:54:09 PM
great book i like it.
Alexa's Gold (Book) - 9/12/2018 10:17:42 AM
Lost a lot of sleep on this book as, after a busy day, I would read far into the early morning hours twice, to keep following the suspense until the book ended. Whew, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It starts with a simple inheritance from a grandmother to a granddaughter. But as soon as the word is out--Trouble! Especially from Alexa's mother, sad to say... who felt the property should have gone to her.
Aside from the fact that her grandmother had wanted to make sure her inheritance did not get into the hands of the latest husband or her daughter, Alexa had always been close to her and had kept in touch even when she had begun to work. Now she had received the entire inheritance, with her grandmother leaving $1 to several others so that it would show that she was making the choices she wanted made...of sound mind...
Arriving at the farm was demoralizing--obviously the legend of her grandfather's gold had lived on as she saw that many holes had been dug on the property. Most of all, though, she was shocked as to how much the home had fallen into decay. Her memories, via one picture when she was about 7, had shown a white beautiful farmhouse, where her grandmother had stood beside her one lovely day. Now her adored grandmother was gone, with the farm showing the same evidence of age as her grandmother had...
Most shocking, however, was that there was a big full-size trailer sitting in front of the farmhouse!
First, she found the backdoor open, and it appeared that somebody had searched the house, perhaps for the cake recipe. Soon she was realizing that everybody in town wanted a copy of that apple cake recipe... Was it that good or did others know that there was something special about the recipe itself? Almost instinctively, Alexa immediately started looking for it, starting in the pantry... Which turned out to be not a good idea, since she and Samuel were soon stuck inside the room!
And that's how she met her new neighbor, Joe, the son of the farmer who was renting land from her Grandmother... This character later added a love interest. But Brad, her lawyer, had also shown immediate interest as well. We watch Alexa as she weighs options, always thinking first of how a possible individual would fit in as a possible father to Samuel, her son.
Who had set the fire?! Yes, the mobile home was found blazing and was proven to have been arson. Also, constant activity began almost immediately as two competing realtors courted Alexa to handle the sale of her new property. While her lawyer seemed to be taking his time in getting the will settled and the deed transferred. Of course, part of the reason was that her mother had formally had her lawyer file suit on her behalf! While the next-door neighbor seemed to be in and out of the property, which concerned her until she realized that he had access to the out buildings because he was renting farm land. And women in town kept asking about her grandmother's award-winning recipes.
Alexa is a wonderful character who works as a probation officer. She and her best friend Belinda, with whom Alexa shared everything, including how and where Samuel was born, was soon going over all that had occurred since Alexa had gone to the farm...Belinda, although engaged, immediately snatched on to the fact that there were two hunks involved in all that was happening... Matchmaking!
Belinda was soon visiting. But instead of happy times with hunks, they both worked hard to clean her grandmother's house and start searching for either the gold or her recipes... But soon other people were also searching and danger started. And news of curses started being spread.
Emotions fly high and often and Alexa has a hard time keeping her cool and trying to deal with all that her new inheritance has brought into her life. She never would have come if she'd known that Belinda, Samuel's and her own lives would soon be in jeopardy, including kidnapping, fire, and more!
The treasure hunt is fun, if somewhat confusing since Grandma did everything she could to keep her secrets safe before Alexa came. And with all that is happening, the possible villains are too difficult to determine! Cool, right?! But don't worry, though complex, all is finally solved and there's somebody living in that once-empty farmhouse at the end... Great family drama! Check it out!
GABixlerReviews
A Body To Bones (Book) - 7/20/2018 1:09:01 PM
Excellent First in Skeleton Series Mystery
Reading the Prologue of Berg's first book certainly will grab readers and have them continue to learn what happens! Ten years has passed for Sarah Hamilton with a burden hanging over her--becoming pregnant with a child by another man... Clearly she had not yet felt God's forgiveness for her act... I have often thought that God sees our contrite heart and forgives us long before we are able to fully accept that... Then, too, what of the man who had been involved? Had he even thought to seek forgiveness, especially when we later learn, that Sarah was not the only woman with whom he had been involved... The small-town intrigue and gossip is alive and well in Clinton...
The morality of the characters in the novel plays an important part as, ten years later, a body is found...or should I say, bones of a body... For this skeleton had missing bones that soon became part of the mystery...
But before then, we learn more about the lives in Clinton a small town, of less than 900...for, of course, each is known and involved in some way in those events that the Pioneer Ledger shares to its readers once a week. Sarah and her husband are well-known and respected, and involved with local church activities.
Sarah Hamilton is married to the editor/owner. One of those moral issues she has suffered under was her mother's dictates of how a Christian woman should act. One definitely was that she should take care of the home and not work outside it. But the Hamiltons actually lived in the building where the newspaper was created and printed... and her husband really did need her help. So, while agreeing to help with the paper, once more she buried her personal feelings of guilt and sense of doing something wrong... I had great sympathy for this woman living very much like I did in a small town...
Throughout the story, the Hamiltons, not only because of their news-gathering activities, remain involved...We soon learn that there had been two disappearances around the mid-50s... One of them was the wife of the neighbor of the Hamiltons, who also owned a large warehouse in which the bones were later found. The other was the disappearance of a local priest...
The officials, including local and federal, do an excellent job in pulling the investigation together and the created characters add greatly to the enjoyment of the hunt for whodunit! And the possible villains, including even Sarah, are explored as we learn more about the bodies, keeping us guessing. My intuition was right again, but the author keeps readers on the edge until almost the end of the book, as Sarah faces danger from the killer!
I was pleased how the author allowed our main character's family to come together after all that had happened and we find a quite satisfactory ending after more than a decade of hidden secrets... A solid whodunit mystery that I highly recommended!
GABixlerReviews
Paperback provided by Authors Den
Check out my blog, Book Readers Heaven for review+
A Body To Bones (Book) - 6/28/2018 6:38:46 PM
The lenghty descriptions of the characters helped recognize all of the clues. The masterful way Berg unwined them show his creativity and the depths of his story.Sara and Thomas were great characters and followed the plot as well. A body to bone will make you bored fast and have you wondering how they will be solved. Several twist during the book. I going myself disappointed by the ending.
A Body To Bones (Book) - 6/25/2018 4:04:07 PM
Ten years ago Sarah Hamilton made a mistake. Never far from her mind were the reminders of the consequences. Not wanting to dwell on the past, she tried to look towards the future. This was not to be when an investigation into recently found skeletal remains threatens not only her secrets, but her safety as well. Will she survive the turmoil?
The author has crafted an intriguing and suspenseful mystery novel. The tension builds slowly and keeps the reader engrossed throughout. When least expected, the narrative takes unexpected twists and turns. The well drawn characters are an interesting group as are their roles in the story. I found this to be a well written and engrossing novel. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
A Body To Bones (Book) - 5/8/2018 9:43:16 AM
The meticulous and lengthy descriptions of the characters in this story are an integral piece of recognizing the clues.
The masterful way Berg entwined them into the story shows the extent of his creativity, imagination, and depth of writing.
As a debut novel, this book deserves the praise it has received. If this publication is any indication, this writer has a prolific career ahead as a novelist.
The twisting and turning storyline keeps the reader enthralled and wondering 'who done it' and 'why' to the end. What this reader supposed happened and why--was way off!
The reader quickly becomes invested in the character's lives as horrific findings are unveiled.
The complex secrets, lives changed, and Sarah's role--brings the town and its events into focus. Sarah's difficult decisions and finally confrontation with the past are written beautifully.
The book highlights how incredibly complicated a police investigation is and how the simplest observation, say: a key, can change the future of an entire town.
This reader is looking forward to reading the next novel in this series. One can hope it is as well-written and engaging as this one. Also a big plus is the price is reasonable.
A Body To Bones (Book) - 4/11/2018 6:03:39 PM
Very good story. Was interested immediately! Sarah and Thomas were great characters to follow, as was the plot. "A Body To Bones" will bring you on board immediately and have you wondering how it will be solved. Several twists throughout the book. I found myself disappointed when I reached the ending, as I would have loved a few more chapters closing all character's story line. Great read! One of those books that you can't put down! I would love to read more works by Donan Berg.
Alexa's Gold (Book) - 3/19/2018 4:26:04 PM
An Exciting and Rich Mystery among the Iowa Farms
Alexa’s Gold by Donan Berg sure keeps the reader gripped. Our heroine Alexa is such a damaged character and she confronts enough challenges that part of the thrill and mystery is how she will persevere through the gauntlet of tragedies that confront her. Berg weaves a compelling tale here. The past haunts this novel on so many levels, whether it be the legend of hidden gold from Al Capone that Alexa’s grandfather procured almost a century ago or the traumatic incident back in Chicago that has defined Alexa’s life. Despite the fact that she is recently deceased, Alexa’s grandmother in many ways guides this novel – through her last will that bequeaths her farm to her granddaughter to letters and notes she leaves behind to her words of wisdom that reverberate in Alexa’s memory.
Romantic tension is constant as the scarred Alexa must navigate her feelings for the earthy, convenient Joe and the interested, but somewhat compromised lawyer Brad. In fact, Alexa’s tumultuous legal situation with the farmhouse is mirrored by the turbulent blossoming romance with Brad. Throughout Alexa’s Gold, Berg plays with many clever clues, including a pistol cigarette lighter, a distinctive tire tread, and this remarkable, all-important, award-winning recipe for apple cake. Plus, the depictions of the Iowa countryside with its stifling provincialism and bucolic charms ground the novel in a landscape that the reader enjoys inhabiting.
Alexa’s Gold is richly imagined. Berg has created a thrilling mystery that rewards the reader right up to the climax, which has so many nifty twists that there are really three climaxes in succession. This novel is a great read.
Inspiration (Short Story) - 11/27/2021 11:02:17 PM
^An inspiring story and it is so well written. Thank you so much for sharing!
Sandie
Cake Glory (Short Story) - 4/23/2021 3:58:15 AM
As long as success runs in the family, you had a win-win situation.
Cake Glory (Short Story) - 4/22/2021 9:26:01 AM
What a wonderful story of success, at last. Even if it wasn't first-place. I sensed the anticipation and nervousness about entering and competing quite well.
Aside from the easy kit blueberry muffins my brother and I made in our mother's kitchen, the only cake I ever baked was a gingerbread over an open fire, making me have to turn the pan to get it somewhat properly raised up and baked.
Ron
Inspiration (Short Story) - 5/29/2018 7:23:21 AM
powerful, thought provoking, inspirational
you pack a lot in a not so long piece!
NEVER STOP WRITING
m
Inspiration (Short Story) - 3/27/2018 10:11:59 AM
JESUS the Risen Christ... Words that ring clarion to this reader. Inspiring. rlc
Inspiration (Short Story) - 3/27/2018 6:47:40 AM
Beautifully written and very heartwarming. There's nothing like engaging people to help people in need. So unlike the empty promises of politicians to "bring coal back," as though somehow continuing a dirty, flawed tradition will bring health and wealth back to a region that is always suffered for lack of connection to the outside world.
In your mission, I would suggest that you install solar power stations or windmills to provide these people with a continuing source of inexpensive or free electrical power. A large enough project may provide even a monthly income by selling electric power back to the grid.
Ron
Christmas: No Extra Thrill in Sugar (Short Story) - 11/26/2009 6:30:10 AM
A delightful story. Just the right balance between self-deception and never ending hope.
ReviewCallofGaelicMoonbyCarolMaschkebyDonanBerg (Article) - 10/4/2022 11:23:09 AM
The Irish have a long history of drunkenness and debauchery, probably the result of the boring lives they lead as farmers eking out a living on a rather barren countryside. When they are sufficiently drunk, they like to conjure up stories and some sort of competition to see you until the best story.
I just read in National Geographic that there is a 2000-year-old settlement that was rather wealthy at the time. Within its boundaries was a cave or entry to what was thought to be the underworld. Every year at harvest between the life of summer and the death of winter people from all around would gather there to celebrate Sondheim. According to NG, the source of our Halloween.
I think I will pass on reading another Irish story. But I might take a look at her biography because I am interested in other peoples' journey in this life.
Ron
ReviewToStealaHeartbyJenniferYoungblood (Article) - 9/10/2022 11:19:21 AM
I have to assume, off hand, that you approve of this book and want us to read it.
Ron
ReviewVisionofPowerbyCharleeJames (Article) - 9/3/2022 1:44:24 PM
I really like the way you summed up the book: "In sum, a dark, intense, non-stop read that won’t answer your exam question about the big bang theory."
But for all the trauma and lust, there probably was some bang theory. ;-)
Ron
ReviewTheTwilightFlamebyDylanMcClintockbyDonanBerg (Article) - 8/3/2022 11:38:04 AM
It would be better if you put quote marks around those quoted excerpts. But a well thought out review of the subject book.
From your analysis I would conclude that the author was writing a book filled with clichés from many books, TV shows and movies of this clichéd fantasy time period. Supposedlyy real but lost in time and memory--bull shit.
Fantasies should be imaginative and generally should have a good reason to be written like good satire. Most of these writers of fantasy are wannabes without any original ideas in their head, only produce similar fantasies once they have read or seen, but not as good.
Ron
ReviewDeadlyIntentbyLaraineStephensbyDonanBerg (Article) - 7/20/2022 11:06:53 AM
I like historical fiction so I might pick this one up even if it has a whodunit to make my brain try to solve the mystery before getting to the end. But I doubt if I will ever do that unless the movie comes out free to me. So I will pass for now.
Ron
ReviewPreservingtheEvidencebyKazDelaneybyDonanBerg (Article) - 7/19/2022 1:55:20 PM
You had me chuckling with your references to the plot that seemed to be referring to food. Make me think that some of the murdered were made into meat pickles in preservative jars. But your last lines would indicate that the story isn't quite up to your standards even though you recommend reading it.
Ron
ReviewToHauntorBeLostbyBLAllenbyDonanBerg (Article) - 6/21/2022 1:34:42 PM
Your review is interesting as always, but it's not a kind of genre that I like to watch where magic can be either a way to quickly solve a mystery or a way to make the mystery plausible to the average reader. Not my cup of tea. I would have to look deeply into the tea leaves before I watch this one unravel.
Ron
ReviewLove'sMisfiringMagicbyHeatherSilviobyDonanBerg (Article) - 6/12/2022 10:41:25 AM
I'm not sure if you're spoiled anything with your review. But I wouldn't pick it up if I smelled there was a witch in the book, unless it was a period piece where witches were conjured up and not spells.
And you're right about the predictability with the usual better love being advised on the side secretly helping out. Boring! Two stars for me and five stars for you and your review. I see you try to put feathers on this turkey.
Ron
Review Glitched by JC Doan (Article) - 5/7/2022 1:55:06 PM
I find that much of the horror fantasy genre with its multiple sequels to be rather boring like Vincent Price's realization after trying to do movies like The Pit and the Pendulum and gave up, turning it into a comedy for all the laughing at Edgar Allan Poe's Telltale Heart.
But since you reviewed Glitch and find it delightful, I might venture to read the book. But I might, more likely, view the movie if it was available as a movie.
Ron
Review: Death Canal by Michael Hartnett (Article) - 3/23/2022 12:45:23 PM
I can surmise that you really loved the book and its ability to feint just enough to keep the reader off guard from solving the original mystery and continuing ones.
Although I once thought I would make a fairly good private eye, I'm not much fond of mysteries, and like it when a story comes to a logical conclusion.
It seems that screenwriters writing dramas for television have taken up feinting to the extreme so that these programs will continue season after season for as long as they can. When one is sure of the way the story is going, have it suddenly change direction as though one were were blindsided. Basically, continuing to come back to see who will be blindsided next.
Ron
Internal antagonist kills story (Article) - 1/30/2022 10:18:16 AM
Thanks for the tip. I don't think I murder my stories.
However, if one writes a book about a serial killer, who after several killings that tend, because of the killer's inadequacy, to be similar, suddenly realizes from some outside source, his/her last kill is someone he/she dearly loves,, committed suicide. Is that a, murdered story?
Likewise, if the author is writing about a serial killer who is suddenly stopped and killed by the police. The story stops. If the killer is caught and goes to trial, the story is prolonged and maybe a boring long story like they become real life. Unless one likes long court battles and boring legal procedure.
I guess that's why I don't write psychological stories. I don't have psychological problems, so it is hard to relate without any experience of what it is like to have delusions, etc.
Ron
Author awards, no flimflam (Article) - 8/29/2021 12:38:08 PM
Some great advice. I will watch out for reviewers. I have been getting a number of scam offers lately, mostly so-called "publishers" who seem to like my book and want to completely overhaul it, recover it, and promote it. Their list of services that will be provided belies the modest request for money--for now. Really too good to be true.
I once got a request to review the book of a author who said that he would review mine, tit for tat. He pointed out that we had to have a certain number of reviews before Amazon would start to recognize our books. I read and reviewed his book, honestly. Almost before I had opened his book, I got a review from him that clearly showed that he read only the first chapter or two and that's what he based his review on. So I would warn anyone dealing with a character like that.
In fact, I haven't lost any money from scams for any of my books. I have good crap detector that tells me when something isn't quite right.
Ron
First impression, writing tip (Article) - 7/20/2021 11:29:58 AM
I've read this before. And I agree that readers can be fickle and like trailers to movies, or even the title, will pick up or put down a book based on a single distasteful thought. Fortunately most of the books I've read were assignments. As an engineer with a scientific bent, I'm always reading to see if the author is correct scientifically and finishes the story without being banal or bland.
The only book that I remember putting down was not an assignment. Moby Dick. After wading through all of that psychological mucky muck in the first chapter, I didn't read on. In retrospect, characterizing an albino sperm whale as some kind of unholy monster after being tortured by having harpoons shot into his body, doesn't sit well with me. It's 19th century mythology. Not reality.
I just had my only venture into pop-culture, the short story, Shady Timbers Bigfoot, reviewed by a committee for inclusion in an anthology of science fiction/fantasy. The reviewers lauded the opening and one even gave me a rare, 10. But another, suggested that I begin before the beginning with a hint to the back story. I'm toying with the idea. I think I will do that today and leave it up to the committee whether it stays or not.
Ron
All Praise the MacGuffin (Article) - 7/5/2021 9:56:24 AM
I am too young to have grown up with the McGuffey reader. So I'm not sure that little book has anything to do with a McGuffin, apparently a literary term for an attention getter. Yes, now that I look back at Psycho, all that I can remember is her blurred body being stabbed multiple times in black-and-white. And, for North by Northwest, I think it is, Cary Grant running from a crop duster tried to kill him, and for The Birds, it is the numerous scenes of the birds, first being very ominous, and then attacking, viciously.
I guess I have something that akin in the novel I'm writing, where a father, unknowingly, kills the husband of his missing daughter and his companions, brutally in their sleep in the first chapter. And then, in a double whammy, when his grandson finds out, chases after him and puts a deadly arrow in his back… His own grandfather's back.
Ron
Suspense versus mystery, a writing tip (Article) - 6/11/2021 11:11:30 AM
You have nicely defined the difference between mystery and suspense in that second paragraph. Made me recall a writer that I read that leaves us in suspense at the end of every chapter. I tend not to do that very often, but do have a natural transition.
After reading your article I realized that the historical novel that I'm currently writing is mostly about suspense, what surprise will come next! On the other hand, most of the book is a mystery: What happened to the primary character's mother?
Contrary to my readers' expectations, before I wrote the book, I resolved that the mystery would never be solved.
Ron
Prologue ..Join the fight? (Article) - 5/18/2021 9:08:05 AM
Good article. I will agree that most novels do not need prologues. I really don't even think about it. In my case, I have written prologues to my historical novels because even though they are fiction, they are based on some historical fact that needs to be introduced so that the reader has a framework from which to start reading without immediately misinterpreting what was read.
For example, a very good author here was reading one of the chapters from the book I am writing and posting. From that chapter, he surmised that I was writing about some strange, dystopic world of the future. When, in fact, the novel is as accurately historically based in Europe 5500 years ago as I can make it. Why I've have written a prologue to that book.
Ron
Aisle Two Romance - Chapter One (Article) - 6/29/2018 9:51:06 AM
Semi retired undercover New York reporter is intrigued by an actress who graduated from Berkeley and did some stage work on Broadway in small town USA.
Good start to an interesting novel romance.
Ron
Alexa's Gold Group Discussion Topics (Article) - 4/8/2018 1:41:14 AM
Enjoyed reading your article,
Best Wishes for much success in your Writing Career!
Never Stop Writing!
m
Plot: A Four-Letter Word (Article) - 2/25/2015 4:33:55 AM
Wow! I loved this. You wrote this very well. It kept my interest high throughout. The notion of a unique twist, an author's perspective and perception, focusing on the strength and weaknesses, building, unfolding and revelation of a the plot is creation at its best. Thanks for your insight. It's amazing what writers learn from one another.
One's Journey (Poetry) - 1/22/2022 11:39:06 AM
A quiet poem that really has a peaceful way about it in a time of so many challenges in our lives.
Congratulations on your top rated novels. No need to preach to the choir.
Ron
One's Journey (Poetry) - 1/20/2022 3:14:27 PM
Great rhythm and rhyme.
Sandie
The Tune of Youth (Poetry) - 10/16/2021 8:40:11 AM
Beautifully and nostalgically rendered. All things down by the sea remembered by aging eyes.
Ron
Thoughts sublime (Poetry) - 9/29/2021 9:34:13 AM
You're so right, this is no time to be afraid to join the dance. If not for romance, then for a balance in life.
Reminded me of the time when I was losing my ability to walk. But my girlfriend, who had her own dance troupe, balanced my gyrations and made us both Dancing with the Stars… Not dancing with celebrities, but enjoined with the universe. For people who have not experienced that synchronicity, they are missing out on a lot.
Ron
Character Exposed (Poetry) - 7/29/2010 5:40:00 PM
I like the way this was written. complex character. -Morgan
Character Exposed (Poetry) - 7/29/2010 3:22:06 PM
This is clever!
Enjoyed ~
Christine
