Review – What Hides In The Cupboard by Cassondra Windwalker @WindwalkerWrite

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

A great cover can lure me in and the cover for What Hides In The Cupboard by Cassondra Windwalker has that old time, gothic feel and I was prepared to be haunted.

Hesper Dunn suffered a traumatic accident and wanted to get out of the rat race of Chicago. She had been to New Mexico with Richard and fell in love with the desert. It fit with her skill as a ceramic artist, so it made sense that she would want to move there.

For much of the book, I felt disappointed. Where’s the horror? Where’s the terror?

Ya know what….it was right in front of my face the whole time and I never saw it.

I wondered if the creatures that lurked in the shadows and the trapped spirits haunting the house were all in her mind. I wondered if the death of the previous owner caused ghosts to walk the grounds.

Cassondra Windwalker did a superb job of making me wonder why it took me so long to see what was right in front of my eyes. Hindsight is 20/20. My mind was lulled into a sense of complacency, and when the finale came it smacked me right in the face.

So, beware, enter at your own risk.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Following a traumatic accident, ceramic artist Hesper Dunn trades life in Chicago for the enchanted deserts of New Mexico. But not all is quaint, and it’s far from what it seems. There’s a mystery buried deep in the heart of her new home.

Love, guilt, and grief demand that Hesper remain within the haunted pueblo. To free herself, she must free the trapped spirits…but the creatures lurking in the shadows are not what they appear. Hesper dares to wade through the murky fog of tragedy to uncover the truth, a truth that will be harder to handle than she ever dared imagine.

  • Genre: Fiction, Ghosts, Horror
  • Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication January 30, 2024 by Unnerving Books

ABOUT CASSONDRA WINDWALKER

Cassondra Windwalker is a poet, essayist, and novelist presently writing full-time from the southern Alaskan coast. She enjoys hearing from readers via Twitter @WindwalkerWrite, Instagram @CassondraWindwalker, Facebook, smoke signals, and interstellar songs.

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Living Zombies? River Of Souls by T L Bodine @glassratmedia

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Looking for a ‘fresh’ and original take on zombies? Look no further than River Of Souls by T L Bodine. I am so happy that T contacted me about her Neverest story. I knew then that I would read anything she writes. The depth and details of her stories have me engulfed in her novels, not wanting to put them down for anything.

River Of Souls, the first book of the Lazarus series by T L Bodine, was so intriguing that I began reading almost as soon as I received it. I mean, considering Undeath a manageable condition as long as they have Lazarus, a life extension drug?

…the zombies are here, but instead of tearing down civilization, they’re standing in line at the Social Security office, waiting for their checks like everyone else.

In the small, sleepy town of Los Ojos, New Mexico, Davin Montoya struggles to care for his zombie father and his teenage sister. When a car accident turns him into one of the Undead, he hides it to keep his sister, Zoe, from being sent into foster care.

Davin begins to discover that things are not as they seem. He is unregistered, so getting access to Lazarus becomes a black market misadventure. Now he is dealing with dangerous drug dealers. The supply dries up, Davin becomes desperate, and questions arise.

I would share something in this review, then delete it. I don’t know how to say what I want without giving away too much. Are there lies? Sure. Is there a conspiracy? Probably. Is there more to the story? Absolutely. And, one thing sticks in my mind and makes me laugh…can zombies get it up? I mean…I get shivers and my mind just won’t let me go there. LOL

River Of Souls by T L Bodine is such a unique take on zombies, I couldn’t stop reading and am (im)patiently waiting for what comes next.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS

Undeath is a manageable condition.

That’s what the media says, anyway: with the help of the miracle life-extension drug, Lazarus, the Undead can retain their humanity and live normal, happy lives. Without it, they become violent, mindless walking corpses.

Davin Montoya was eager to believe all of that. Forced to drop out of college to take care of his teenage sister, Zoe, after their father drank himself to death, he was more than happy to sign the no-good alcoholic over to the government’s Lazarus House for treatment. That was one less thing for him to worry about.

Until an accident left him joining the ranks of the freshly deceased himself.

Now, keeping his death a secret is the only way to keep his sister out of foster care. But to do so, he must venture into the underground society of Unregistered Undead – a dangerous world of drug deals and government resistance. But when their access to Lazarus begins to run dry, the truth starts to unravel…and it’s not what anyone expected.

ABOUT T L BODINE

T.L. Bodine writes dark fantasy and horror. She’s interested in uncanny, fantastic things, and the way real people with real problems interact with them.

You can also read up-and-coming stories on Wattpad, or check out her Tumblr for writing advice, creepypasta, and more.

When not writing, she can usually be found watching horror movies, playing story-heavy video games, or experimenting in the kitchen.

She lives in New Mexico with her husband, David, and two small dogs.

View content warnings for her books here: http://www.tlbodine.com/p/read-my-sto…

MY T L BODINE REVIEWS

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A Bad Day For Sunshine by Darynda Jones @Darynda

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I have seen Darynda Jones name bandied about for a long time now, so I am glad to finally pick up one of her books and have an introduction into her world with A Bad Day for Sunshine. I couldn’t resist this fabulous cover. I want to thank Darynda Jones and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review my first Darynda Jones novel.

It will be released on April 7, 2020 and is available for preorder HERE.

A Bad Day for Sunshine (Sunshine Vicram, #1)

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have been wanting to read a Darynda Jones novel for some time now, so when I saw the chance to grab this advanced review copy from NetGalley, I jumped all over it.

Sunshine Vicram is back in town after some shenanigans pulled by her parents, getting her elected as the sheriff of Del Sol, New Mexico, and supplying her with an adorable home for her and her daughter, Aurora.

Right off I liked Sunshine and Auri’s relationship, their verbal banter leads to some very humorous dialogue, and I could see there are some underlying problems.

  • Sunshine has a past that demands answers and she is going to find them
  • Auri has seemed a bit off since the New Year’s party she went to when they arrived.

Del Sol is a small town with all kinds of crazy going on. We have some unique, quirky, entertaining characters and lots of secrets surround them. There is a sense of mystery underlying every event that transpires and no one gives answers easily.

I enjoyed the beginning of the book, but began to wonder what all the hoopla was about Darynda Jones’ work. The fun writing and character’s personalities had me liking them and the undercurrent in town made me think there was danger coming, but where is that feeling that I can’t stop reading until I have all the answers? At 30%, I became more involved, but the verdict is still out.

At 62%, Darynda Jones got my attention with a twist and I even teared up thinking about Auri…and the rest of the pack. After this it moved quickly. I know how this will end, but the last third of the book is what made it all worthwhile, keeping me glued to the pages.

Well…I love it and, even though this story is told, I am sure there is more to come for these fabulous characters and I hope to be there with them.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of A Bad Day For Sunshine by Darynda Jones.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones is back with the brand-new snarky, sassy, wickedly fun Sunshine Vicram series!

Sheriff Sunshine Vicram finds her cup o’ joe more than half full when the small village of Del Sol, New Mexico, becomes the center of national attention for a kidnapper on the loose.

Del Sol, New Mexico is known for three things: its fry-an-egg-on-the-cement summers, its strong cups of coffee—and a nationwide manhunt? Del Sol native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the elected sheriff–an election her adorably meddlesome parents entered her in–and she expects her biggest crime wave to involve an elderly flasher named Doug. But a teenage girl is missing, a kidnapper is on the loose, and all of it’s reminding Sunny why she left Del Sol in the first place. Add to that trouble at her daughter’s new school and a kidnapped prized rooster named Puff Daddy, and Sunshine has her hands full.

Enter sexy almost-old-flame Levi Ravinder and a hunky US Marshall, both elevens on a scale of one to blazing inferno, and the normally savvy sheriff is quickly in over her head. Now it’s up to Sunshine to juggle a few good hunky men, a not-so-nice kidnapping miscreant, and Doug the ever-pesky flasher. And they said coming home would be drama-free.

ABOUT DARYNDA JONES

Darynda Jones

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier. As a born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press, the Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of more than 25 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

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Lovin’ This Fabulous Trilogy – From The Sky & Equinox J E Nicassio #JENicassio

From The Sky (From the Sky Trilogy Book 1)

My Review For From The Sky: Twilight with aliens and I love it! Conspiracies, danger, UFOs, aliens of different kinds and a guy and a girl in love. What more could I want?

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

She was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary secret, but it wasn’t that her boyfriend was an alien. An interdimensional being that’s stranded on earth learns what it means to give up everything for one human.
From the Sky weaves first love into an edge-of-your-seat mystery populated by fallible humans and otherworldly beings that question the inevitability of aliens among us.
Finalist in the Book Excellence Award!
Mills Press science fiction second-place award.

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

Equinox (Beyond Moondust Trilogy Book 2) by [Nicassio, J. E.]

My Review For Equinox: She’s special and alone. Danger and loneliness at every turn. Who can she talk to? Who can she trust? Lovin’ it! Very much like Twilight but with aliens. I do love it and the characters.

4 Stars

AMAZON SYNOPSIS

Never trust an alien.

The Sequel to From The Sky.
“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Author C. Clarke. From the Sky Saga Continues! The day after the winter solstice, Samantha Hunter is found naked and bleeding in a remote cabin in the Sandia Mountains of New Mexico. As Sam works to understand what’s happened to her, she is whisked into the Underground—a secret community of scientists, civilians, and aliens that are connected to her story and to the alien boy she’s in love with—Lucien. This is where the fight begins, and Sam must decide what price she’s willing to pay for life and love. “Equinox gives the reader a totally different way of thinking about extraterrestrials. Anyone with interest in the possibility of life outside this planet—and for those who love a great romance—this book for you. It is exceptionally written and will leave you wanting more!” —Kelly Fait Goodreads “American teenagers have to grow up fast because dark forces are out to get them—J.E. Nicassio gives us a fast-paced and exciting tale full of car chases, close calls, and the angst of star-crossed love. Teens and even older readers will love From the Sky.” —Ray Simmons for Readers’ Favorite

Amazon / Audiobook

Kudos to J E Nicassio. I don’t read many series to the end, but this a must for me. I gotta know…….I have added Book III, Aurora’s Curtain to my wish list.

I got these for free on Amazon back in September of 2017. Thank you J E Nicassio.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars
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Lucky Isn’t So Lucky Is He?


Getting Lucky

Getting lucky by Bob Sanchez

My office is above Robby’s Auto and I feel it is an appropriate place. There is a car graveyard behind the building and Webster Investigations is built on ruined lives.

My wife, Molly had asked for a divorce and right after that I had shot a drug addict. I was on suspension when Patrolman Mike Poirier pushed me past the breaking point and I punched him. I had been a police officer, but had belted him in front of way too many witnesses and was asked for my resignation.

It was Thanksgiving weekend and I figured no one would be coming into the office, so I would try to clean it up a bit. The building left a lot to be desired.

In walked a woman asking for Clayton Webster, that was me. She introduced herself as Bonita Esquivez and told me her husband was missing. He had been gone since last night and she was afraid he may be hurt. Why would she think that?

She pulled out a stack of hundred-dollar bills and asked when I could start. They had come here from Miami, so I couldn’t help but wonder why they would stop here, in Lowell, Massachusetts.

She said a black officer at the precinct had given her my name. I figured that must be Lieutenant Willis Chubb. I picked up a cup of coffee for him and went to his office. He confirmed it was him who sent her. He warned me to be careful with her, you know, the femme  fatale are always trouble.

I started with the hotel bartender. His roommate Chicken Man told me he had seen a man hitting on another man’s wife. The man punched him and Chicken Man said he helped him outside. He left him puking by the canal. Could he have fallen in and drowned? When I left, Chicken Man came down right after and jumped in his car, a beat up Volvo. I had seen one when I was with Bonita earlier and looked at the license plate – EJAQL8. I wouldn’t forget that.

I went around asking more questions, but couldn’t find out anything. I went looking along the canal to see if I could find a sign of Lucky. I recognized Choop, from when I was on the force, and yelled for him to wait up. I wanted to talk to him. He was looking down at the canal and I wondered if he saw something. He ran and lost his footing, falling in the canal. The cold water jolted my system as I dove into the canal. He almost strangled me as I tried to save him and I had to knock him out.

My next step would be to check out hotbed motels and the city bars.

Bonita called me to thank me for the box of chocolates, but I told her I didn’t send them. Ibox of chocolates Pictures, Images and Photos heard her vomiting, as she was trying to talk to me on the phone.  I called the front desk and told them to get up there in a hurry.When I got there, I checked the box. It said, with compliments from Webster Investigations. I could see tiny holes in the bottom of the candies. She wouldn’t let me call the police. I was now really motivated to find Lucky.

Bonita had said her husband might be with his cousin, Carlos Chavez, in Boston. I told her I was headed there and she said not to leave without her. She had to go back to the hotel first. She found that her purse had been ransacked and her gun was missing. Nothing else was touched. I had to find a safe place for her.

I headed to Boston on my own. While I was there, I was knocked out and robbed. I figured someone didn’t want me to find Chavez.

I found out Bonita had lied to me. No big surprise there. Bonita had told me Lucky was in the jewelry business, but I found out he was dealing in porn.  Bonita had sent me to the warehouse where I was attacked. Bonita had been out at 2:00 am. What does she really want from me?

 

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos    3 STARS – Would Recommend To Others

I liked the cover. Anything with water and vibrant colors catches my attention. The title is appropriate and could have more than one meaning.

The book was detailed and well written. The storyline was easy to follow. I always like these kinds of books. No big surprises.

The femme fatale, as usual, lies and can never be trusted. You don’t know who or what to believe.

Lucky was scum, abusing his wife and stepchild. The plot dealt with the seedy parts of life. How low could someone go? Lucky was pretty low. Who cared if he died?

The blurb caught my attention because of Boston and Lowell,  Massachusetts. They are places very familiar to me and I am always drawn to a book that has a location I know.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bob Sanchez was born in New Orleans, grew up and worked in Massachusetts, and lives with his wife and two cats in New Mexico. Bob has published three novels: When Pigs Fly, Getting Lucky, and Little Mountain. He actively participates in several writers’ groups, edits nonfiction reviews for The Internet Review of Books, and maintains or contributes to several blogs.

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/bob.sanchez1

Website:  bobsanchez1.blogspot.com

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