Change of Life

Menopausal Superheroes #2

by Samantha Bryant

With great power comes…great frustration.

Several months after the events of Going Through the Change, retired corporate vice president (and occasional lizard-woman) Patricia O’Neill is embroiled in a search for the mad scientist who brought the “change” upon them all .

Meanwhile, Flygirl Jessica Roark and gender-bending strongman Linda/Leonel Alvarez have joined a mysterious covert agency known only as The Department. They’re training hard, in hopes of using their newfound powers for the greater good.

Patricia thinks they’re being used. Cut off from the other menopausal heroes, she’s alone. And her search has hit a serious dead end.

Then Patricia disappears, and all the clues point to a dead man. It’s up to her friends and The Department to find her and bring her home.

Genres: Humor, Superheroes

280 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2016

About the author

Samantha is best known for her Menopausal Superhero series of novels through Falstaff Books, but is a multi-genre kind of gal (trying to monetize her ADHD). So far that means she's written superhero, horror, romance, science fiction, post-apocalyptic, alt history, humor, and a few hard-to-define oddball stories.

Reviews

[R.A. McCandless]

Samantha Bryant’s beautifully rendered “Change of Life (A Menopausal Superhero Novel Book 2)” draws you in with its unique riff on the superhero theme. While the title may make this sound like a book intended only for a certain audience, Bryant crossed social and gender lines to tell a worthwhile story from unique perspectives.

The second book, “Change of Life” plays on themes of superheroes and womanhood through four women who had “the change” brought onto them by, what else, a mad scientist in search of the Fountain of Youth. These “women” (one who was turned into a super strong man) can now muscle, fly, slash, and above all think their way out of almost any situation. When one of the four, still searching for the mad scientist who made them, goes missing, the others must join forces once again and unlock even more mysteries.

Bryant’s clever play on the superhero tropes is a warm and welcome addition to the genre. She eagerly engages readers with each woman’s separate and joint journey. The mediation on menopause as a change that affects not just women, but their families and friends as well, is definitely worth the read.

In “Change of Life” readers will get a superhero story that also looks on the lighter and the more serious sides of the human condition. Bryant’s mystery ties and shapes her characters together, leading the reader through a fun and fanciful romp of intrigue.

[Richard]

Great follow up to the previous book... Now I'll be biting my nails until the next one comes out! Possibly more to say later... But I'll need a real keyboard...

Update: OK, I wanted to add in here that I really like many of the characters in the book. They're interesting and fun and pretty filled-in, and we learn lots about their thoughts and lives. But I have a particular soft spot for Linda Alvarez... What with her interesting body change, and the way her marriage is going south, I'm kind of hoping she'll hook up romantically with Jessica in the next book. Hmmm. Is it a spoiler if one is just hoping? LOL.

[Kate M. Colby]

Disclaimer: I was given a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review may contain minor spoilers.

Change of Life by Samantha Bryant is the sequel to Going Through the Change (which I've also reviewed). As such, this review of Change of Life will contain spoilers for Going Through the Change. Consider yourself warned.

Still here? Right, let's do this.

Change of Life by Samantha Bryant continues the story of our favorite band of menopausal superheroes. In this novel, Jessica (the gravity-defying cancer survivor) and Leonel (the strong "man" formerly known as Linda) are working for the Department, a secret government organization that specializes in finding, training, and sometimes defeating individuals with superhuman abilities, as well as other spy-related missions. Patricia (the Hulk-like dino-woman) is on the hunt for her former friend and evil mastermind Cindy Liu, who has disappeared after the events of Going Through the Change. Helen (the fire-wielding villain) has also gone missing, and her daughter Mary (a non-super, albeit fiery, young woman) has gone looking for her.

As you can tell, there is a lot going on in Change of Life. And yet, Bryant weaves a complete and engaging narrative, giving each character her fair share of the spotlight and emotional depth. (This includes our newest hero, Sally Ann, who is Jessica's trainer within the Department.) The plot moves quickly and smoothly, keeping the reader entertained and trying to unravel the mystery along the way. Part of the pacing comes from the narrative style -- short chapters and alternating perspectives -- which allows the reader to view the conflicts from all angles and ensures that there is a heroine to whom everyone can relate.

Perhaps my favorite part of Change of Life (and Going Through the Change) is how Bryant uses her different characters to challenge and celebrate the different forms of womanhood. From housewives to business women, and from child-free ladies to grandmothers, Bryant depicts womanhood from all angles, showcasing the similarities and differences in how "the change" effects each of them. Moreover, Bryant explores how traditionally "feminine" and "masculine" personality traits can both be positive for her female characters. For example, one of Leonel (aka Linda's) greatest assets is her ability to listen and her caring nature, while Patricia finds strength in her independent spirit and take-no-bullshit attitude.

This being said, my only criticism about Change of Life was that sometimes the narrative stalled on characters' emotions a bit too long. While the internal monologues did increase my understanding of the characters, sometimes they bordered on repetitive, and other times I would rather have "seen" the characters' emotional states emerge through their physical reactions to the conflicts in the story.

Slow spots aside, the real jewel of Change of Life is the character development. As a reader, I couldn't help but feel inspired as the characters embraced both their superpowers and the changes their powers caused in their personal lives. For instance, Jessica learning to master her "flying" and no longer fear it made me incredibly proud, and Leonel standing up for herself and finally focusing on herself after a lifetime of being a wife and mother first showed her strength and made me love her even more. All of the characters have similar growths and will endear themselves to the reader twofold in this novel.

Overall, Change of Life is a fitting sequel. Packed with action, drama, and a dash of romance, and led by a cast of strong, complex, and diverse women, it's everything you'd want in a "menopausal" superhero novel. Highly recommended for superhero-lovers of all genders, ages, and levels of geeky-ness.

[Michele Berger]

I’m so excited to return to the community of characters that Samantha created from her first book, Going through the Change. In the second book, we get to connect with several memorable characters including Linda/Leonel (a woman who was changed into a super strong man) and Jessica (a woman recovering from divorce and depression who can fly), and Patricia (a high powered professional woman whose skin can make spikes and armor) and find out how they are coping with a missing Cindy Liu (the scientist responsible for creating their changes) and their new lives. Samantha touches on issues that so many women struggle with including learning how to be self-focused (even when others accuse you of being selfish), confident, interdependent and work-life balance issues. We also are treated to new characters including Sally Ann (top agent for The Department, an organization that deals with supernatural occurrences and is training Linda and Jessica) and Mary (the daughter of Helen, one of the villains from the first novel) offer unique perspectives on the unfolding story.

Again, in this novel Samantha skillfully pulls off multiple POVs with ease. The characters are presented with believable and complex internal conflicts that keep getting them into trouble. The main plot is developed too, with a focus away from Cindy Liu to a more complicated story involving her father and his nefarious scientific schemes.

I enjoyed the first book because of the newness of the concept-menopausal superheroes, the adventure and the characters. Samantha has deepened the conflict, the characterization and even upped the craft of her prose in this one. The pages fly in this one. It is a winner that you’ll enjoy.

[Montzalee Wittmann]

Change of Life (A Menopausal Superhero Novel #2) by Samantha Bryant is not your everyday superhero book. It is book two in the series and I found it would have been helpful to read book one first to get the full meaning of all that was going on. Several women were changed physically by a doctor who was trying to help them with their issues and made them into something else...literally. One can throw fire, one can turn into a lizard, and one turned into a super strong MAN, (yes, there too). They are trying to find the doctor but she is missing, then the clues lead to a dead man, a team member goes missing next, ugh! It gets crazy! It is a lot of fun and silliness. I bought the first book to see what I missed, it was fun enough not to want to miss any. I received this book for a honest review from NetGalley.

[Jen Selinsky]

Change of Life is a story about a group of remarkable women who undergo some very interesting changes, and I'm not talking about menopause! Though their lives and backgrounds are different, each one of these "superwomen" share a remarkable bond because of a mad scientist who gave them extraordinary powers. But when one of the women, Patricia, is captured by the same mad scientist, the others band together to form a rescue mission. Though the stories all seem like different works at first, the author ties them all together in such a way to keep the reader interested. Change of Life is both empowering and enticing!

[Mandy Leigh]

I haven't read the first book in this series, but after reading the second it's a definite must. What an awesome way of developing superhero characters with powers that come together, but as women separately described going through the change, younger women with children, without children, grandmothers...They all unite in a common way to overcome and push through the change. It makes it a little less scary and makes you want to jump on board and bring out super abilities of your own when it's your time. What a great book and thought out characters. Looking forward to reading the first and others from you.

[Keli Kosmiski]

As with the first book in this series, the characters and plot are developed in such a way that by the end, they are all intertwined. As the first book ended, the second began shortly after, further developing the plot in ways a reader wouldn't expect, introducing new characters in the mix, that in the beginning make the reader wonder what involvement they have with the characters introduced in the first novel, but slowly relationships unravel as the "plot thickens".
This is as book that would be interesting to see, as a movie, if done correctly.
As with the first novel, though, the ending leaves the reader hanging, thinking "What next?"

[J.P. Uvalle]

Samantha Bryant puts an interesting spin on how four women obtain super powers, and all the physical and emotional change that comes with it. I've never read a book quite like this before, and wasn't sure in the beginning I would enjoy it. However, I tend to be drawn to books with strong character development, and this book certainly fit the bill. The emotional depth was phenomenal yet - at times - stalled the pace of the story. But, If you're in the mood for an original superhuman read with amazing narrative style, multiple angles, twist and turns, then this book is for you!

[Sara Goldenberg]

The author has a cute and zany outlook on her characters and aging. I liked both of her books very much! It's fun from beginning to end, with twists and unexpected turns. Put your seatbelt on before you begin her book! It's a wild, bumpy ride!

[Lori]

The writing definitely improved for the second book, and it was still very fun and funny to read.

[David Watson]

The last time we saw the characters of Going Through The Change they were involved in a climactic brawl at the end of a search for answers. Change Of Life by Samantha Bryant begins several months after the events of book one. Patricia who can turn into a lizard like creature is still trying to find her former friend and scientist Cindy Lu who has changed from a 67-year-old woman to a young girl. We also have Leonel who changed from a woman to a man and Jessica who can now fly. They have joined a top-secret organization called The Department and are training to be super spies

Jessica and Leonel believe they are using their powers for something greater and Patricia feels abandoned by them. Things start to get more complicated as Patricia gets kidnapped and the clues to what happened point to a dead man. Jessica, Leonel and the Department lead a search for her that raises more questions than answers.

What I liked most about this book was how Samantha Bryant makes her characters realistic. First of all who ever heard of a superhero going through menopause? The subplots are what made this book stand out for me, the characters may have superpowers but they are dealing with real world issues too. Leonel has a new career as a department spy and now doesn’t have time to be the housewife and mother she use to but she doesn’t want to give up her job. Jessica is dealing with a failed marriage, two young kids and a possible new love interest and Patricia is dealing with retirement and her new body. Also the reason these women have powers in the first place is because they were all taking something to help them with their aging bodies. Change Of Life may be about superheroes but a lot of depth and detail goes into each character.

There are some great action sequences in this book also, I loved the part where Jessica takes her test to join the department. Her mission is to retrieve a package from a building full of armed spies, she completes her task and manages to beat up on two department operatives in the process. I found myself cheering for Jessica as she went through her test, this is a woman who is a cancer survivor and mother who has now gained new powers and mastered them. Even the minor characters have a lot going on, I loved the reaction of her new boss Sally Ann who has some interesting powers herself. I’m hoping to see a lot more of Helen and Cindy Lu in book three, they have small roles in this book and I liked seeing how different they are from book one.

Change of Life takes what happens in the first book in a new direction. While the first one was an orgin story this one builds on that and adds a spy element to the superhero storyline. Think Agents of Shield meets The X files or at least that’s what I was thinking as I read it. Above all else this is a human drama disguised as a superhero spy story. I love these characters and watching them deal with the changes they are going through and I’m looking forward to the next book.

[S.A. Larsen]

This story give Going through the change a totally new meaning!

With participants who can float, grow scales and talons, and muscle out of just about any problem, saying this tale is action-packed doesn't come close to it. And the center stage characters are all middle-aged, post-menopausal women!

The story picks up (I'm assuming) where book I left off. Note: Not reading the first book in the series didn't affect my reaction to the tale ... other than that my understanding of the logistics of character traits came together a little slower for me. Saying that, once I put those initial pieces together the story really took off. It was a ton of fun watching these women who've developed either some sort of funky superpower and/or a totally gender change. Yes, I said total gender change.

Psst...All I could think of from the opening scene was whether or not I could pull off menopause where the transition turned me literally into a man. The thought both terrified me and made me laugh so hard!

Seriously, the thought of the change transforming a woman into a man felt strange to me. But the more I read each character's journey, the more I liked Linda/Leonel. Totally my favorite character. The adjustment she (now a man on the outside) and her husband (of over 20+ years) must make in their marriage affected me differently than I'd anticipated. She'd always been "...the grease that oiled the family wheel and kept it spinning." Now she's some agent working for an authoritative organization and ... You get where I'm going with this. Her role in the family has changed and her husband is having a difficult time with it. So many woman can relate to this, especially if you gave up your career during your childbearing years.

Mystery takes the story by force as past friends discover some are missing. The author places feelers from alternating characters in strategic places that continually up tension and tangle information. Most friendships from the first book continue as all try to unravel the intrigue that grows into much more than simply friends missing. Some characters are busy searching for the loony doctor who got them into this body-ultra-altered mess, while others try to accept their new selves and train to work uncover making the most of their new lives.

In the end, all must come together in one way or another. The threads weave into a telling tale that dates back decades into some of their families. The book leaves just enough intrigue at the finish line to make you wonder what could be next for these amazing women! And a man....well, sort of. ;)

[Renee]

Got this book as a review ARC from the author

As Book 2 I was a bit worried I'd be lost, not having read Book 1. Was excited though, because I loved the unique premise, and after reading a few pretty heavy books I needed something lighter. This book did not disappoint. It took a bit of time to get a handle on all the characters' multiple POVs and get up to speed on the "Here's how I got where I am." But I soon became immersed in this fun, fast read.

The (mostly) women -- Linda/Leonel being the only hiccup -- are searching for a missing friend and the evil doctor who did this to them. They're aided by the Department, a kind of "X-Men/Avengers meets James Bond" place for training, camaraderie, assignments...and cool gizmos. The villain doctor is aging backward, so to the mundane world, they're searching for a young Asian girl of about 13. Every superpower is unique, and each character has a distinctive voice. The plot moves along at a fast past with moments of humor and angst interchanged. The author does a great job of weaving all her threads together. My only trouble spot came Linda/Leonel--she changed from a woman into a man with superior strength, but her inner voice did not change. For me, she sounded/thought like a woman, so I never really felt the change. She was never truly male, so it messed with my head a bit. But that was easy to forgive and did not detract from my overall enjoyment of this book.

[Dave Higgins]

Mixing questions of gender and age bias with fast-paced fights and nail-biting reversals, Bryant continues her exploration of mature superheroism.

This is the second volume in the Menopausal Superhero series. Following the defeat – and subsequent escape – of mad scientist, Cindy Liu, Linda/Leonel (the tiny woman in a strongman’s body) and Jessica (the lighter-than-air ex-gymnast) have joined the Department, a secret organisation dedicated to investigating and restraining the odd and freakish. Meanwhile, Patricia (the sometimes lizard person) has taken early retirement so she can devote her time to hunting down Cindy. Learning the skills needed for their new lives is trouble enough, and then Patricia is kidnapped by a dead man.

As with the previous volume, Going Through the Change, this novel is a mix of classic superhero action and character-driven realism. However, this time the placement of the Department front and centre gives Bryant an opportunity to reframe a few of the tropes of superhero teams: the training montage, the romantic subplot involving support staff, the enigmatic head of a secret organisation.

And, like the previous volume, the book focuses on the experience of those society has deemed past their prime: in this case, the challenges of adopting a new role later in life.

Leonel/Linda has come to terms with now appearing to be a phenomenally strong man, but not with acting like a man. Surrounded by the hyper-macho subculture of the Department, s/he strives to not show sadness, to casually urinate, and to discuss hotties. And, if going through the struggle to fit in for a second time weren’t enough, her husband and family, willing to accept her sex-swap, are less willing to accept that s/he can’t be a government agent and still be there all the time to cook, clean, and support her extended family.

Jessica faces a similar cultural barrier. With the coming of amazing power, she has found her self-respect; but little experience in either violence or the world of work, she lacks an understanding of being the junior member of a secret team, or when and how to take initiative.

Patricia suffers the opposite issue: having lost her connection with mundane work after the events of the previous book, she is equally uncomfortable with the freedom of retirement. If she starts the day early, her afternoons gape empty; if she doesn’t, decades of waking for work niggle at her. And neither extensive corporate experience nor bullet-proof scales prove much use in tracking a scientist who might be ageing backwards.

Further showing that even with great power, the majority of problems have mundane solutions, Bryant adds a new protagonist: Mary, a shop assistant with no unusual powers or skills, who is seeking her mother, Helen (a fire-ball-throwing bully).

Both comic and serious, rip-roaring adventure and portrayal of intersectionality, over-the top and realistic, this novel gives a plausible portrayal of how the world might be with superheroes without losing the casual building-shattering and escapism.

Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. I recommend it to readers seeking superhero fiction that is deep without being depressing.

I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a fair review.

[Wendy]

In "Change of Life" the second book in an innovative series which I won through Goodreads Giveaways Samantha Bryant weaves together threads of an imaginative plot that begins with the kidnapping of retired Corporate Vice President Patricia O'Neill a woman capable of changing into a humanoid lizard looking for a former friend who's also a diabolical scientist; the training of Flygirl Jessica Roark and gender-swapping strongman Linda/Leonel Alvarez who have joined the Department, a covert operations group handling weird cases; as well as Mary Braeburn who's searching for her missing mother, a bully who can lob fire balls.

In the hunt to find Patricia the menopausal heroes uncover clues that lead them not only to a dead man, but to the brilliant, headstrong scientist whose experimentation gave the women their unique abilities. Desperate to uncover her mother's whereabouts Mary's search leads her to the Department where Helen Braeburn is being held in a deep sleep, her fire balls doused when she becomes agitated. Her mother captured after a fiery incident on campus and held against her will, Mary is determined to help her escape before the Director begins his tests.

Cleverly the author creates a story that's humorous but often serious in tone as the superheroes have to deal with issues with their abilities, within their families,with new relationships and even the macho subculture at work. Fast-paced and action-packed the adventure is filled with secrets, lies and intrigue that keeps the reader rooted to their chair.

The main characters are complex, realistic and unforgettable infusing the plot with high-energy, excitement and drama as they deal with an unexpected physical transition as well as a new role in their aging lives. Linda/Leonel the organized, dutiful wife and mother suddenly finds herself dealing with the emotional and physicality of being a handsome, virile man. She's torn with guilt between the tension and distance growing at home with her husband and family and the newfound enjoyment and sense of freedom as a male operative admired for her superhuman strength in the Department.

Patricia O'Neill the highly independent , retired Corporate Executive is a master of tone and insinuation especially when faced by a manipulative, conniving scientist like David Price (aka Anton Lorre). Confident in her bullet-proof lizard body she doesn't find it of much help when she's held hostage while searching for her old friend, the quiet, devious and self-absorbed Cindy Liu who's slowly aging backwards.

Jessica having survived cancer, a divorce and her burn injuries is strong and resilient, but her ability to fly and her blossoming romance with gentle and clever Dr. Walter Peeples has given her a new sense of self-worth and purpose.

Add to these wonderfully created characters Mary Braeburn a determined, resourceful young woman searching for her fire-throwing mother Helen; the analytical, charming and calculating Director; and the threatening, scheming Anton Lorre.

I loved "Change of Life" and can't wait to see what happens with these unique superheroes in their next perilous adventure.

[Emily]

An interesting twist on the traditional superhero genre. This book was a fun read that kept me entertained and wondering what would happen next. The book follows several middle aged women who thanks to a mad scientist, can now do incredible things. Their powers range from incredible strength and a gender switch, to changing into a bulletproof lizard woman! In their search to find answers, one of their own gets kidnapped and it's up to her friends to work with the department and find her.

For the cover and subject matter, I was hoping for a bit more humor, but was still delighted by the Linda/Leonel character. I did get a little confused with some of the changes in viewpoint due to reading this book before book one. I found myself asking "Wait, what is their power again?" But I did get it all sorted out eventually. The story starts out a little slow, but toward the end it was hard to put down and I was anxious to see what would happen to our heroes.

Overall it was an enjoyable read and I now feel inspired to check out book one. I hope there is a third planned!

[K Idamari]

Conspiracies and Government Agencies

Much of the story revolves around how the three woman reconcile to their inadvertently obtained powers. While Linda and Jessica decide to join a secret government agency, Patricia decides to go lone wolf in her investigations on Dr. Cindy's whereabouts. Things move a lot faster once Patricia is kidnapped form her home by unknown men, and the agency decides to step up its game.

I had to work harder to get into this book, maybe it was the time interval between the first book and this one. Ms. Samantha has taken her time to setup the characters for the power packed climax which, by the way, delivers! I was a little disappointed because it felt like Linda got little screen (page?) time, and the bulk of the book focused on Jessica and her budding romance. Mary, Helen's daughter gets her fair share as well, which seemed a little excessive. Sally Anne, on the other hand, was quite refreshing.

The book had a satisfying end, but I couldn't shake the feeling that the entire book was one big setup for a grand finale. I hope Ms. Samantha releases the third book soon.

[**Elle**Bee**Double U**]

Book one concluded with the good (if you want to call them that) superheroes finally catching up with Helen and Cindy Liu. However, things don't go exactly as planned.

This one starts out with Patricia (lizard lady) retiring from her job and now spending all her time trying to find Cindy Liu after watching her leave the college fight on a bus.
Linda/Lionel has signed on with a secret government agency with her friend Jessica trying to find and Cindy as well as understand the changes they underwent using her products. She's also now trying to find a delicate balance between working outside the home and keeping her marriage together.
Jessica signed on with the government agency and is trying to figure out a way to control her fly powers as well as overcome her divorce.

While everyone seems to be looking for Cindy Liu, nobody expects the next evil genius that comes out of the wood works in this story.
Oh but we can't forget Helen! The secret government agency was able to capture her and keep her "medicated" so she may be able to heal from her injuries during the college fight. But Mary, Helen's daughter, isn't going to give up just looking for her disappearing mother.

[Ayezu Tamarapreye Okoko]

BOOK:-A MENOPAUSAL SUPERHERO NOVEL:BOOK TWO.CHANGE OF LIFE BY SAMANTHA BRYANT

BOOK REVIEWER:-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE

SYNOPSIS:-
A sports and poetic style fiction story describing women affected by menopause as 'man' involving a variety of sports including knife fighting. The subjects in the book are discussed using the life of many women ; their change of body;science; politics;hidden threats of women by exposure to unhealthy consumer products designed for females used for holding them captive and for ransom; morality;need for them to control changes rather than letting it control them;risk taking ;scientist experimenting;gynaecological issues;underestimation of their capacity and skill career wise; drugging and trafficking of women;kidnapping; fishing;catering ;failure to complete college ;emotional troubles;anger;pain;regret;widowhood;finance and team spirit amongst others.Its also tells us about Linda wanting to change herself and Davids life.The book continues the series on menopausal super heroes and describes menopause as the pause in menstrual cycle of a female; injury to the head/head of the family and the effect of "War on men,women and people.There's a rhythmic use of words as can be seen thus:
files as fee less or file meaning leave in Yoruba;mother as parent;Alvarez as God depends or varies;Linda as Snake in German, Seen/Sin market,Pretty in spanish,or in Saudi as eloquent and capability of reading and talking Arabic or any other language flawlessly;Nathan as " Nay-Tan" or God has given biblical or "no tanning from the wind or sun";Roark as Row-Ark or Propel-Ark;Lab as to "go to the bees", " go- noise "," go-no-ise,"go-grace/five/Amen";Cindy as "Seen/Sin -come/eat or presence of sin/seen;Leu as " in place of";Helen as "He'll earn,Hell in or Hell earn;gravity as of great importance, seriousness and a force that attracts a body to the centre of the earth;Sir as Senior;Mr Lester as Me star or Le(Praise in Ogoni )-Star or. Sister(See Star in Ikwerre);Jessica as Yes,you're great;crazy doctor as (cra cra for crazy slang ;carbapenem resistant acinectobacter;community investment act;clinical research association and doctor as a medical officer; DUCT OR for a tube or passageway in a building or machine for air, liquid, cables, etc.)
;Weak kneed to refer to wobbling knees or the seven days in the week-Nee di(presence of what one was originally called);Killer as Key la(go);Braeburn as Now A born/burn:Sally Ann Rogers as Senior Lee Ann Row Jah's; David as Dav-id meaning the part of the mind in which innate instinctive impulses and primary processes are manifest in the Disabled American Veteran;Scientist as Sigh/Sir/Sir-Earn-T-ST(striker in sports);Roark as Row Ark ;American as AME-RI -CAN with AME for Agreed Medical Examination/Soul/Eagle/AmE-American English/Annual Manage Expenditure(government),RI for Respiratory illness/Regular insulin/Resistive /Refractive Index/Renal Insufficiency/Respiratory Illness(in medical terms)/Rhodes Island(used in addresses)/Relation(Internet slang abbreviation)/Residual Income(business)/Rockwell International/Research Institute/Reporting Interval/Replication index/Remedial investigation/Reserve Inspector(in police)/Recruit Instructor(Army/Military) and CAN as Confederation of African(Football)/Have or has the moral or legal right/A toilet or Restroom(slang)/Am,are or is able to/buttocks (slang);Chinese represents CHY for Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund(investing),CHAY for the root of an Indian plant that is used to make red dye ,NEES as originally called ,and the sigh on the Chinese flag meaning "Star";;bay king as the ruler of the part of the land where the land curves in so that the sea is surrounded by land on three sides;Cookies as a baked snack,COUP-KEYS meaning a means to a sudden violent and illegal seizure of power from a government and a means to an instance of successfully achieving something difficult;DEPARTMENT as DI -PA-MEN-T to refer to DI(come in Efik)-PA(Go/out in ijaw )/and Father in English)-Ti(Has in Yoruba); Dr Peeple as DUCT OR peoples; Thirteen as Tear TIN(Tax Identification Number);Fourteen as For TIN;Director as DIE/DYE RECKED OR;Report as Port again /Written account of So me TIN!;PENIS as P Earn is, what is written is or Pen is;Jorge as Judge,Me agwu,Go to drugs(Igbo),Go it's you(Igbo);Turkey as Moon and star as on flag;Bacon as BAYCORN as moon and star enter for maize/presence of Mai which means fat.Turkey can also be used to describe the Turkey bird species of Phasianidae or Meleagrididae(order Galliformed) with Phasianidae pronounced as Fasingha(ijaw for it did not finish totally or still remaining and ida eh meaning imitate me or your father;;tortilla meaning tortoise go;civil wrong(tort)-you go/omelette flat shape/Pancake made from maize;Line as Lie-Nee meaning caused originally called to lie;;Mummy as MORE ME or preserve body of a human or animal ceremonially preserved and wrapped in bandages;Trainee as Serve Nee or Tray New;Softness as So FT ness(FT in sports);Nathan meaning rather DAN/any of ten degrees of advanced proficiency in judo or Karate;Eleven Forty Five as Won Won four has Five;Brain as Mother or breast;Body as garment as in the interpretation of body and garment in Hindi,Punjabi,and Marathi;Lupita as loopeter /last one out-a thin fat bread that can be separated easily into two layer to form pocket;Drama as A play/Dr village (ijaw)/Dr girl woman;Dramatically as the ram and the cup and ANTON LORRE as Ann turn-Law eat ;;gravity as great importance or seriousness/force that attracts a body to the centre of the earth; amongst others.
LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE BOOK READ

🖲️Not to underestimate the capabilities or skill of women career wise.

🖲️Need to obtain consent from people to be used for experiment as prescribed by law.

🖲️Dosage of certain medications are based on ones weight.

🖲️The importance of having a love that could remain strong in the face of change and trouble

APPLICATION OF LESSONS LEARNT

The need to obtain consent from people when testing or experimenting and the backing of the law on that can not be over emphasized.

[Samantha]

It's a good feeling when you read your own work and still like it. In getting from idea to finished book, I've read it several times. I just finished my last read a week or so before release.

I love my menopausal superheroes, and I'm proud of the way this story came out. Readers who enjoyed book one and have been waiting to hear what happens next will be pleased, I think. You'll meet some fantastic new characters (Agent Sally Ann Rogers and Mary Braeburn) and be surprised by how some of the women you already love have changed (not all for the better).

Like the first book, it's part women's fiction and part comic book adventure. My villain is especially creepy and wonderful. These women have taught me a lot about storytelling and about what it means to be a woman. I'm grateful for the chance to write their story.

[Henry Lazarus]

Samantha Bryant continues her tale of four women treated for menopausal symptoms with a drugs that gave them super powers. Linda became a very strong man, Jessica is able to fly Patricia turns into a bullet proof lizard, Helen throws fire. The person who changed them. Cindy Liu, has been getting younger and now looks thirteen, In the second tale Jessica and Linda are recruited to a secret government agency which has Helen locked down. Cindy’s father, is a crazed scientist who mastered brain transplantation and is on his fourth body. This Change of Life (paper from Curiosity Quills Press) tale comes to a head when Cindy’s father tries to kidnap the women to save his daughter and the agency finds a way into his research lab. Lots of fun and I can’t wait for the next adventure. Review printed by Philadelphia Weekly Press

[JJ Broenner]

I'm never sure what to expect from sequels but this novel did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the introduction of a few new characters and the growth and change in the characters from the first of the series. I particularly enjoyed the surprise on who the villain actually is; it was quite a surprise to me when it was presented not too far into this novel (don't want to spoil for any who have not read it yet). It was a quick read, I would have read in a few days if time would have allowed, it really keeps your interest and you want to read on - in one sitting. The story has well laid plans (some that don't go as planned of course), revenge, friendship, relationship issues and lots of action overall. The writer develops the story at a nice pace building with each chapter and of course the ending leaves you waiting for the next novel.

[Fraser Sherman]

I much prefer when superhero novels give me something I don't see in the comics. The protagonists of the series are four older women saddled with superpowers by their mad scientist (supposed) friend. Since V1, Linda and Jessica are working for a SHIELD/DEO type government group (but are they trustworthy); Helen has vanished and her daughter Mary is working to find her; and Patricia's trying to track down the scientist, Cindy. Instead, she finds Cindy's even creepier father, whose mad science focuses on immortality through brain transplants.
I'm not sure how this would work if you haven't read the first book, as it's not really a standalone novel. But I have read the first book, and I found this one excellent. I know Samantha, but my review is sincere.

[BreeAnn (She Just Loves Books)]

This is the second book in the Menopausal Superheroes series! If you haven't started this series yet, I highly recommend it! A "mad scientist" has altered the women in this series, and the thing that brings out their superhero strengths is menopause. The characters in this series are absolutely wonderful. I love reading about how their life is evolving, and how "the change" has affected things for them. They are going on ever-more dangerous journeys to find the person that started this for them. The book is filled with exciting actions as well as tender moments that creates an utterly captivating story!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Chad]

Change of Life is a great continuation of a light and entertaining kind of super hero franchise. Bryant has come up with a fresh idea in a culture already crowded with such stories.

This book has a nice, natural continuation from the previous book and expands the universe of the story in a way that I think all good sequels should.

I think Bryant does a great job crafting characters that are both fantastic and yet also grounded in her own experiences and perspective.

It isn't often that an author can have a book that is so uniquely theirs. Check this one out, it's worth the time.

[Susan Ragsdale]

Change of Life by Samantha Bryant is a remarkably delightful, fanciful story that is fun, relatable, and more importantly, relevant. Bryant has an amazing imagination and spins a yarn that flows with insights whil simultaneously portraying real life issues from different points of view. She creates moments that make you go “hmm...” and pause to think more deeply, or to appreciate life and those around you that much more. Highly recommend this superhero story that is chock full of adventure and humor.

—Susan Ragsdale, author of Great Group Reflections and Great Group Games

[Amani]

I liked Jessica the most mainly because she’s a character that I could sympathize with. She’s a a cancer survivor and I liked that she was relatable. Each of the characters were unique but Jessica was my favorite. I also enjoyed reading about how the characters transitioned from housewives to businesswomen. It’s got a nice message. Unfortunately, the book was a little slow at times and I wasn’t a fan of the pacing of the book. This book is appropriate for teens and up!

Thank you to @Booktasters on Twitter for a copy of this book!

[Billee]

I enjoyed this book even more than the 1st one. It is book 2 in the series and it did not disappoint. I love getting to know the characters more in depth and seeing how their new “abilities” change who they were. I look forward to reading the next one and seeing what they shall have to battle next.

[Zan Marie Steadham]

This is a bigger rip-roaring superhero tale than Bryant's book one. I can't wait to find out what comes next for this fabulous cast of women now that their creator has made such heroes of a much maligned group.