Relegated: One American’s Pints-and-Pies Journey from the Top to the Bottom of English Football by Todd Smith

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this book. A perfect companion to accompany the last two matches of the 2026 World Cup. I will gladly add Todd Smith to my list of authors that I will look for in the quest to build up my To Be Read (TBR) list.

During the tournament this year, I read two books to deepen my knowledge and understanding of the game of football. The first was Roger Bennett’s We are the World (Cup), which was a great read during the group stage of the tournament.

To me, one of the most amazing things about English football is the promotion/relegation component. This book does a great job of giving the reader a glimpse into all levels of English football, from the Premier League, the Championship League, League 1, League 2, and the non-League football clubs. The one constant that all the leagues have in common is the promotion/relegation component. This is so unlike anything we have in the U.S. Bad teams lose every year, and nothing happens.

I highly recommend this book to football fans, and aspiring writers alike. Todd gives a great glimpse into the life of the struggling writer.



View all my reviews

Leave No Trace by A.J. Landau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my first book by A.J. Landau, and it did not disappoint. Loved the story, the action, and the message that it carried.

View all my reviews

The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef by Tom Straw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An excellent summer read. This book had everything going for it – nods to celebrity chefs, romantic locations in Paris and Cannes, and a great mystery/spy story. Tom Straw is no stranger to popular fiction, and I was not disappointed with this book.

The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef

View all my reviews

Armored by Mark Greaney

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Loved this book! It was exceptional. I get worried that when an author starts a new character that it will feel like a copy of an older, more established character (Gray Man). This was a pleasant surprise. The main guy, Duff, is a good change of pace and I am sure that there will be more adventures in his future! Well done, Mr. Greaney!

View all my reviews

Upgrade by Blake Crouch

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Blake Crouch does not disappoint! Loved this book, just enough accurate science to keep me interested with the perfect amount of action to keep it fast moving. There have been other stories relating genetics with an action thriller, but this one is a class above many of the others.

Highly recommend!

View all my reviews

A Sh*tload of Crazy Powers by Jackson Ford

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another fantastic read by Jackson Ford. I stumbled upon the Teagan Frost series a couple of summers ago, finding the cover and title interesting on the shelf of my beloved local library. I loved it and finished it in just a day or two. Now, I eagerly await each new installment in the series.

This did not disappoint. It picked up right where book three ended and kept the roller coaster ride of the China Shop moving along its course.

View all my reviews

Kagen the Damned by Jonathan Maberry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book did not disappoint. It was so engaging that I could not put it down! Loved the main characters, and the whole story. The plot twist at the end was a fantastic surprise, and now I cannot wait for the next title in the series.



View all my reviews