Category Archives: Reviews

Review – Discern by Andrea Pearson @andreapearson2 #discern

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Nicole Williams is an Arete, a fourth child with magical abilities. She hasn’t come into her own, yet, but when she is put to the test, I have a feeling she will rise to the occasion. Some of it was predictable, but that’s okay. It’s pretty hard to write something totally new in this day and age. I was riveted to the pages and the characters came to life through Andrea Pearson’s words. The world she created was fascinating and richly developed, and I was lost in it.

I picked up Discern by Andrea Pearson a long time ago, on a free day, 6.3.16 to be exact.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Disappearances at a popular national park… Monsters from another dimension… And Nicole can’t use her magic. What could possibly go wrong?

Mysterious disappearances at a popular national park force authorities to organize a university-led expedition, and they’ve invited undergrads to compete to be included. As a talented Arete, Austin is a natural shoo-in. And he’s not the only experienced student competing. Nicole struggles a great deal with her powers, but she knows she has what it takes, and she’s determined to prove that she can produce Wind magic.

With the help of her friends and advice from professors, Nicole pushes the limits of her magical abilities. As the competition heats up, however, she finds out that the trip she’s fighting for may be a one-way ticket…

  • Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
  • 257 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published August 25, 2014
  • Series: Mosaic Chronicles #1

ABOUT ANDREA PEARSON

Andrea Pearson is an avid reader and outdoor enthusiast who plays several instruments, not including the banjo, and loves putting together musical arrangements. Her favorite sports are basketball and football, though several knee surgeries and incurably awful coordination prevent her from playing them. Andrea Pearson graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor of science degree in Communications Disorders. She acted as the executive director for Indie Author Hub for a year and a half and frequently gets invited to teach marketing and promoting at writers conferences. Andrea is the author of many full-length novels (the Kilenya Chronicles, Mosaic Chronicles, and Koven Chronicles), and several novellas. Writing is the chocolate of her life – it is, in fact, the only thing she ever craves. Being with her husband and kids, family, and close friends is where she’s happiest, and she loves thunderstorms, the ocean, hiking, public speaking, painting, and traveling.

Receive several free books when you join Andrea’s Readers Group. For more information, click here.

Andrea also writes nonfiction books for authors. To learn more about those, and her marketing courses, please visit selfpublishstrong.com

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MY ANDREA PEARSON REVIEWS

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Sizzling Hot – Review – Wicked Desires by Cora Kent #corakent #wickeddesires

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MY REVIEW

If it’s the pill, I’ll flush them down the toilet. If it’s an IUD, I’ll pull it out with my teeth.

That is the ultimatum that Saverio delivers to Lucia, his soon to be bride. She will be his and she will bear his child. No matter how she struggles against him, she cannot deny him.

Saverio is going to kill me, Brooklyn, her date, and mine. Then he’ll probably kill himself so he can kick all of our asses in the afterlife…

There are plenty of light and loving moments amongst the danger and death that surrounds Lucia and Saverio. Two families, that are mortal enemies, but Lucia felt that hers and Saverio’s lives had always, and will be always, intertwined.

There will be plenty of blood shed before the story is told and some smokin’ hot sex. So, brace yourself and dive into the world of the Terlizzis.

Thanks Cora, for the opportunity to read and review Wicked Desires.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Marked by vengeance, branded as mine—Lucia Terlizzi will be the key to my revenge.

Dante Terlizzi has to pay.
Two years ago, he broke his betrothal to my sister.
Two months ago, his brother stole the bride meant for my best hitman.
There’s an unwritten rule about family members and children…
But f*ck the rules.

Lucia is the baby of the Terlizzi family.
Now I’m going to put my baby in her.
We’ll see how Dante likes it when I take what’s his.
I’ll dress his pretty little sister in the finest clothes.
I’ll shower her in diamonds and jewels.
I’ll make Dante regret ever double crossing me.
And in the process, I will make my heir.

All I need is a bouquet of roses, a bottle of bourbon, and a good girl to bend to my will.

Tropes: Mafia Boss, Birth Control T*mpering, Arranged Marriage, Soul Mates, My Wife, Older Man, Possessive Hero

Wicked Desires is Saverio and Lucia’s story. This novel features dark themes, steamy scenes, and mature content. Please read the first chapter for a full list of TWs.

Each book in The Terlizzis series can be read as a standalone novel.

  • Genre: Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Erotica, Fiction, Mafia, Romance
  • 316 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published November 19, 2024
  • Series: The Terlizzis #2

ABOUT CORA KENT

Cora Kent fell for her first villain before she even knew what romance was. Ever since Scar was denied a happily ever after, she’s been on a mission to give all the dark, dangerous anti-heroes the endings they deserve. If the Big Bad Wolf had swept Little Red off her feet, it might have saved the fairy tale—so that’s exactly what Cora does in her novels: grants her bad boys redemption through passion, power, and the women who can handle them.

When she’s not spinning tales of morally gray heroes and forbidden desires, you’ll find her snuggled up with her cat, sipping a margarita, and watching Grey’s Anatomy.

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MY CORA KENT REVIEWS

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Review – Visage Of Moros by Tamel Wino #visageofmoros #tamelwino

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MY REVIEW

Visage Of Moros by Tamel Wino is a character study into the mind of a man who gets lost in his grief and need for justice. His daughter has been taken from him and we watch as he slowly sink into depths of despair and madness. His obsession costs him everything he has left, his work, his wife, his desire to continue on without seeking vigilante justice. If law enforcement isn’t going to make the killer pay, Drystan Caine will. How far would you go, if someone had taken a loved one from you? Especially if it is your child.

Moros is an ancient eity of doom.

The chapters are short, traveling from the past to the present and back again, making it an easy read, as long as you can keep your emotions in check. Brace yourself before cracking open Visage Of Moros. Your journey is not for the faint of heart.

I want to thank Tamel Wino for the opportunity to read and review Visage Of Moros.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A relentless first instalment of the Decay Abloom series, that probes into the psychological toll of grief and the blurred lines between justice and vengeance. 

In the wake of a vicious and calamitous loss, Drystan Caine finds himself on the verge, his life thrown into chaos. With the law enforcement investigation stagnating, he embarks on a self-imposed crusade. However, as Drystan becomes increasingly consumed by this undertaking, his personal and professional life starts to unravel. 

Driven by deep resentment and reckless desperation, this rogue pursuit of justice rapidly takes a treacherous turn. As Drystan draws closer to uncovering the truth, he must confront how far he is willing to go before succumbing to darkness.

  • Genre: Fiction, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller, Vigilante Justice
  • 466 pages, Paperback
  • Published March 16, 2025

ABOUT TAMEL WINO

Tamel Wino is a Canadian award-winning, dark fiction author from resplendent British Columbia. His works focus largely on the erratic facets of human sanity and morality. He majored in Health Sciences and Psychology, which only furthered his interest in human nature.

With inspirations including Ray Bradbury, Jack Ketchum, Cormac McCarthy, Stephen King, Margaret Atwood and Edgar Allan Poe; Tamel’s expositions are strongly grounded in traditions of dark fiction. Yet, with his bold narrative voice and incisive plot construction, Wino is paving a new movement within the space.

When he is not reading or scribbling away on his laptop, Tamel often indulges in stargazing, rekindling classic shows and unearthing obscure music.

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Review – Too Old For This by Samantha Downing #TooOldforThis #NetGalley

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MY REVIEW

How old is too old for murder? If you are Lottie Jones, no age is too old.

I love serial killer stories and Samantha Downing has created a good one in Too Old For This. She allows us to meet the serial killer, Lottie Jones early in the story. She has retired but when an investigative journalist, Plum Dixon, comes knocking at her door, asking questions, wanting to make a docuseries of her life, she has to put a stop to it. So far, no one knows she was a serial killer and she wants to keep it that way. How can she stop Plum? What do you think? I will say that Lottie has to charge her chainsaw overnight. LOL

I had some laugh out loud moments and. at times, found myself shaking my head, wondering…Why didn’t I see that coming? And why didn’t Lottie? I do love a good book surprise and Samantha Downing did keep me on my toes. I didn’t anticipate the ending and I love it. Great job, Samantha.

My thanks go out to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Too Old For This by Samantha Downing.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A retired serial killer’s quiet life is upended by an unexpected visitor. To protect her secret, there’s only one option left—what’s another murder? From bestselling author Samantha Downing.

Lottie Jones thought her crimes were behind her.

Decades earlier, she changed her identity and tucked herself away in a small town. Her most exciting nights are the weekly bingo games at the local church and gossiping with her friends.

When investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past and specifically her involvement with numerous unsolved cases, well, Lottie just can’t have that.

But getting away with murder is hard enough when you’re young. And when Lottie receives another annoying knock on the door, she realizes this crime might just be the death of her…

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Psychological, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller
  • Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication August 12, 2025 by Berkley

ABOUT SAMANTHA DOWNING

Samantha Downing is an internationally bestselling thriller author. Her novels include My Lovely Wife, He Started It, For Your Own Good, and A Twisted Love Story. Her debut novel, My Lovely Wife, was nominated for Edgar, ITW, and Macavity awards in the US, the CWA award in the UK, and was the winner of the Prix des Lectrices award in France.

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Review – The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan #thewitchsorchard #NetGalley #archersullivan

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MY REVIEW

It looks like The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan is a debut novel, and I must say, it was a great start to Archer Sullivan’s writing career. I was quickly drawn in by Annie Gore, a Former Air Force Special Investigator turned private investigator. Three little girls had gone missing ten years ago. One was returned, but the brother of one of the girls that was never found wants to hire her to discover what happened.

Annie knows about small mountain villages and knows her poking around will make a lot of people uncomfortable. That doesn’t stop her from seeking out the answers to her questions. I love watching an outsider come in and stir up a hornets nest in a place where everyone knows everyone else, but do they? Do we ever really know what someone is thinking or doing?

“Does chaos just happen to follow you around or do you invite it along for rides in that ugly clunker of yours?”

Through the horror and sorrow that Annie investigates, we have some light hearted moments. I love stories that take place in small towns and I love watching the secrets being exposed. The novel moves along at a steady clip. I would categorize The Witch’s Orchard more a mystery than a suspense or a thriller. It lacks those intense nail biting moments that move at a rapid pace, but do deliver on the steady work of Annie as she uncovers what others wish would remain buried.

I would like to thank Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A ninth generation Appalachian herself, Archer Sullivan brings the mountains of North Carolina to life in The Witch’s Orchard, a wonderfully atmospheric novel that introduces private investigator Annie Gore.

Former Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore joined the military right after high school to escape the fraught homelife of her childhood. Now, she’s getting by as a private investigator and her latest case takes her to an Appalachian holler not unlike the one where she grew up.

Ten years ago, three little girls went missing from their tiny mountain town. While one was returned, the others were never seen again. After all this time without answers, the brother of one of the girls wants to hire an outsider, and he wants Annie. While she may not be from his town, she gets mountain towns. Mountain people. Driving back into the hills for a case this old—it might be a fool’s errand. But Annie needs to put money in the bank and she can’t turn down a case. Not even one that dredges up her own painful past.

In the shadow of the Blue Ridge, Annie begins to track the truth, navigating a decade’s worth of secrets, folklore of witches and crows, and a whole town that prefers to forget. But while the case may have been buried, echoes of the past linger. And Annie’s arrival stirs someone into action.

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Witches
  • 304 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication August 12, 2025 by Minotaur Books
  • Setting: Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina, United States

ABOUT ARCHER SULLIVAN (from Amazon)

ARCHER SULLIVAN is a ninth generation Appalachian. She’s moved thirty-seven times and has lived everywhere from Monticello, Kentucky to Manhattan, New York and from Black Mountain, North Carolina to Beverly Hills, California. Her work has appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Tough, Shotgun Honey, Reckon Review, Rock and a Hard Place, and The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2024.

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Review – Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner @LisaGardnerBks #kisshergoodbye

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GOODREADS

MY REVIEW

Lisa Gardner was a must read author for me before I began blogging. This woman can write and her love of research shows through the words on the pages of her books. I have not read any of the Frankie Elkin novels, but after reading Kiss Her Goodbye, I plan to remedy that. I was quickly hooked by the character. She’s tough, persistent, and once she sets her sights on something, she will stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

Kiss Her Goodbye bounces between Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi’s past and the present. When she goes missing, her best friend seeks Frankie Elkin’s help. Frankie has had a rough life and I love that she travels light, with a brown leather messenger bag and a small rolling suitcase. She’s not trained in finding people, but she is good at it.

Lisa Gardner writes about the Afghans that helped the Americans, especially those left behind. I wondered if what she shared was true…and it is. I found it fascinating. It lends a feeling of reality to the novel.

I love a book that twists and turns and takes me down an unexpected path where I am unable to foresee the outcome. I felt anger, dread, suspense and sorrow. I couldn’t stop reading, yet I didn’t want the story to end.

My thanks go out to Grand Central Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner returns with the 4th installment in her bestselling Frankie Elkin series, in which Frankie is called to Tucson, Arizona, to find a missing Afghan refugee, whose friend suspects she is in grave danger, before it is too late.

A young mother haunted by war, determined to make a fresh start. But sometimes, the sins of the past aren’t so easy to escape.

Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. The local police have yet to open a case, while her older, domineering husband seems unconcerned. Sabera’s closest friend, however, is convinced Sabera would never willingly leave her three‑year old daughter. At her insistence, missing persons expert Frankie Elkin agrees to take up the search through the broiling streets of Tucson. Just in time for a video of the young mother to surface—showing her walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder.

Frankie quickly realizes there’s much more to the Ahmadi family than meets the eye. The father Isaad is a brilliant mathematician, Sabera a gifted linguist, and their little girl Zahra—she has an uncanny ability to remember anything she sees. Which given everything that has happened during the girl’s short life, may be a terrible curse. When Isaad also disappears under mysterious circumstances and an attempt is made on Zahra’s life, Frankie realizes she must quickly crack the code of this family’s horrific past.

Someone is coming for the Ahmadis. And violence is clearly an option. When everything is on the line, how far would you go to protect the ones you love?

Frankie is about to find out.

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
  • 410 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication August 12, 2025 by Grand Central Publishing
  • Series: Frankie Elkin #4

ABOUT LISA GARDNER

Lisa Gardner is the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author of the Frankie Elkin series, as well as the Detective D.D. Warren, the FBI Profilers and the PI Tessa Leoni series.

Her current suspense novels feature Frankie Elkin, an everyday, average person who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. From looking for a missing teen in inner city Boston to searching for a missing hiker in the wilds of Wyoming to rescuing a possibly kidnapped girl on a remote island in the Pacific, Frankie is on the case!

Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and, of course, read!

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Review – Callasandra Fractured by Stephanie Douglas #callasandrafractured @St3phnieDouglas

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MY REVIEW

Callasandra Fractured by Stephanie Douglas is a dystopian, science fiction novel about a young girl traveling through dimensions. It slowly drew me in, picking up the pace as the story unfolded.

Cassi had been jolted awake by what sounded like a burst of thunder – the hair on her arms stood on end, and in her gut, she knew something was wrong.

That’s putting it mildly. She finds herself in a world called Cimerrion, where every move is watched. When rules are broken, ‘motivation’ is used. It depends on who is doling it as to how brutal it can be. At least, for a moment, she is protected from grave bodily harm. They want her unmarked until they decide what they are going to use her for, but there is one guard who has his eye on her and believes she may be a Disunited, a person from another world. If they knew she was also a twin, they may have been even more worried. There is a prophecy…Our control of Cimerrion hangs in the balance of the twin fates of our destiny.

The main characters are young and I love watching them grow and develop, working together. Knowing they can’t just sit there and do nothing, they become a part of the resistance and risk their lives to save those targeted for a life of slavery.

Stephanie Douglas has created a world of danger, but no matter how bleak things look, the characters still have hope. The pace increases as does the suspense, the closer we get to the end…and that ending. It’s a good one. I am looking forward to what comes next.

Also, for a unique reading experience, Stephanie has sprinkled QR codes for music so you can listen along with the characters. I did not choose the option, but it may enhance your reading experience.

My thanks go out to Stephanie Douglas for the opportunity to read and review Callasandra Fractured.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A DANGEROUS SECRET AND ENEMIES EVERYWHERE

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SURVIVE?

Sixteen-year-old Cassi Dyson thought she had a normal life—until the day her world shattered. In a sudden, terrifying moment, two men seize her father right in front of her. Before they drag him away, he shouts a coded message to her—the warning changes everything. Soon after, a dimensional fracture scatters Cassi—and all of Earth’s citizens—across dimensions.

Separated from her family, Cassi awakens alone in Cimerrion, a world where the government sees her as a threat, where every move is watched, and any misstep could mean capture—or worse. Not knowing who to trust, she adopts a new name—Callasandra—but even that may not be enough to keep her safe. Assigned to The Camp, a monitored sector where sixteen-year-olds are trained, Cassi must blend in to survive.

When Joren, a charismatic and quick-witted fellow student, sees through her disguise, he brings her to the covert resistance known as the Antistasi. Desperate to find her family, Cassi turns to them for help and learns that survival means more than just concealing her identity—it means playing a dangerous game where trust is scarce, deception is everywhere, and escape may not be an option.

For Fans of Action, Suspense, and High-Stakes Survival

A thrilling blend of impossible choices, gripping action, and cunning resistance, Callasandra Fractured is perfect for readers who love action-packed stories set in dystopian worlds with young protagonists who refuse to back down. Prepare to be on the edge of your seat until the very end, immersed in a world where secrets and action collide.

  • Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult
  • 474 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published September 5, 2018 by Dreamer’s Lair Books

ABOUT STEPHANIE DOUGLAS

Stephanie Douglas writes YA dystopian sci-fi that explores identity, power, and survival. Her debut novel, Callasandra Fractured, blends psychological tension, cinematic worldbuilding, and unforgettable characters navigating a fractured dimension. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her family, singing whenever the mood strikes, or plotting the next twist in the Callasandra series.

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$20 GC & Review – A New Life by L J Ambrosio @authorlambrosio @GoddessFish

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A NEW LIFE L.J. Ambrosio

GENRE:  Coming-of-Age

 

MY REVIEW

I have been reading the Reflections Of Michael Trilogy by L J Ambrosio since I got my hands on the first book, A Reservoir Man. The series is thought provoking, leaving me thinking of the things L J Ambrosio shared long after the books have been read.

If you love character driven books, this series is for you. L J Ambrosio explores humanity, the feelings of friendship, love, grief and loss, hate and prejudice.

A New Life may be a quick read, but it was filled with emotion. The ugliness of politics and homophobia play a part in Louie’s life. I had a thought of what was to come for him, but I was still caught off guard when it happened.

My thanks go out to Goddess Fish Promotions and L J Ambrosio for the opportunity to read and review A New Life.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

BLURB

From America to the streets of Paris, A New Life follows two friends as they navigate grief, love, and self-discovery in a city filled with history and hope.

A New Life is a story that lingers long after the last page

EXCERPT

They spent the rest of the trip talking about Rhonda and how great she was, from the fight where she tried to protect Ron to the National Cemetery where she was left behind by accident at dusk, not found until midnight.

Louie started crying, and Ron comforted him, assuring him that the pain was fine; he needed to accept it.

“Rhonda was so smart,” Louie said proudly. “Some people don’t know the relationship between an owner and their pet. It is so special, so unconditional. Rhonda will always be a part of me. It was nice to bury her here in America, her home country.”

A while later, Ron and Louie arrived at their motel. Ron said to him, “Let’s get the luggage and go to bed. Hey, I was thinking when we get back to Paris, you should move in me with me and stop sleeping in the bookstore.”

Louie could not believe what he heard. Sharing more time with Ron would be special; he was excited to have that time together.

Louie and Ron had a chuckle over how Rhonda refused to walk on the sidewalks in Paris because of all the cigarette butts on the ground; she had to be pushed around in a baby carriage, because she did not want to burn her paws.

AUTHOR Bio and Links

Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at seven universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.

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  • Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Reflections-Michael-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B0F9YPJZQ3/ref=sr_1_1
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MY L J AMBROSIO REVIEWS

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Review – Beasts Of Prey by Geoff Jones @Jonesy_Geoff #beastsofprey

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THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES

The Preservation of Species I: Rule of Extinction by Geoff Jones

The Ender is coming.

The Preservation of Species II: Struggle for Existence by Geoff Jones

Escaping Earth was just the beginning.

The Preservation of Species III: Beasts of Prey by Geoff Jones

Humanity is on the brink of extinction.

 

MY REVIEW

Beasts Of Prey by Geoff Jones is the thrilling conclusion of The Preservation Of Species Trilogy. I spent days with the intriguing characters and the monsters they encountered. I loved the original idea for this apocalyptic/dystopian novel, merging horror and science fiction seamlessly, creating such an amazing story I hated to see it end.

It all began when the aliens targeted Earth with a comet that wiped out billions of humans and animals alike. They kept a small amount of specimens in a zoo like setting, and their motives for doing so are horrifying.

We will see the best and the worst that humanity has to offer. There was one character in particular that I had my eye on. I empathized with him, but I was afraid he would betray the others. He has been pushed to his limit.

“Sometimes you have to do something truly awful,” Reggie said quietly. “To prevent something even worse.”

I was amazed with The Preservation Of Species series. Geoff Jones has created a unique experience with aliens and monsters, both human and animal. I found it easy to visualize many of the scenes, seeing they were described in such vivid detail. Geoff did an excellent job of wrapping up the series, tying up all the loose ends in a very satisfying package.

Many thanks go out to Geoff Jones for the opportunity to read and review The Preservation Series. Be sure to read it in the order it is written.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Earth has been devastated by a comet.

Just before impact, alien caretakers collected human specimens and placed them in a wildlife preserve on an orbiting starship. A small group led by Sierra Preston and David Williams escaped, only to find the ruins of Earth inhabited by vicious creatures known as gorgers.

The group returned to the alien ship, determined to convince the caretakers to release the remaining human specimens and help them defeat the gorgers.

Unfortunately, the aliens have a different agenda.

The Preservation of Species trilogy comes to a thrilling conclusion in Beasts of Prey , a post-apocalyptic science-fiction adventure filled with unforgettable heroes, terrifying monsters, and heart-pounding action.

  • Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Science Fiction
  • 492 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication October 28, 2025 by Breakaway Delusions
  • Series: The Preservation Of Species #3

ABOUT GEOFF JONES

Geoff Jones graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Colorado. His honors thesis was a novella about dragons taking over the world.

Geoff worked as a Video Game Designer, writing story and dialog for licenses such as STAR WARS, INDIANA JONES, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES, CONAN THE BARBARIAN, LEGO, and MARVEL SUPERHEROES.

After a stint as Director of User Experience for a business software company, Geoff became a full-time writer and stay-at-home father to two girls.

His first book, THE DINOSAUR FOUR, is an R-rated B-movie time-travel dinosaur thriller. His second project, THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES trilogy, is a post-apocalyptic science fiction adventure about a small group of everyday people who survive the end of the world.

Geoff lives in Colorado, where he enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, spending time with his family, and seeing classic films on the big screen.

Website

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Review – The Discovery Of The Inner Magic by Stephan Lethaus #stepahnlethaus

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Amazon / Goodreads

You can preorder it for $2.99 with one click.

MY REVIEW

The Discovery Of The Inner Magic by Stephan lethaus starts out with a recap of the The Magical Legacy Of The Ryujin and begins where it left off.

Rob and Fuku flee to the Druid Mountaoins, where they come across Mi Lou. They rescue her from the magic that imprisoned her. Can you imagine, coming from a world of science and, voila, you are now in a medieval world of magic? She places her trust in Rob and Fuku. They will have to work together to overcome the evil that is headed their way. They will accumulate allies and develop their magic, sometimes learning by trial and error.

There is a large cast of characters, but I have become very familiar with them. I do have my favorites, and with the battles that rage, I’m not so sure they will all survive.

Stephan Lethaus has created an amazing world of magic, trolls and dragons, humans and science. The battles are vividly described as the resistance rises. Unlikely alliances are created and many will fight to the death. Betrayals make it hard to know who to trust. We have some light hearted moments that help to round out the characters. After all, not everything is gloom and doom.

My thanks go out to Stephan Lethaus for the opportunity to read and review The Discovery Of The Inner Magic.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Pursued by the merciless minions of pure magic, Rob and Fuku flee to the Druid Mountains in search of allies. What began as an accidental bond between a quiet stable boy and a rebellious young dragon is growing into something far more powerful—and far more dangerous.

As the magical world of Skaiyles teeters on the edge of collapse, help arrives from the unlikeliest Mi Lou, a pragmatic systems analyst from 2055, suddenly cast into a realm of dragons, mages, and ancient prophecy. Still recovering from the trauma of her arrival, Mi Lou must learn to survive in a world where trust is fragile and the rules of reality as she knows it no longer apply.

Hunted, tested, and pushed to their limits, the trio must cross wild lands, confront deadly enemies, and forge fragile alliances in their quest to stand against the rising tide of the Pure Doctrine. Along the way, they find unexpected allies—some strange, some whimsical, and some with secrets of their own. But Skaiyles does not give up its mysteries easily—and the magic buried within them all is beginning to awaken.

The Discovery of the Inner Magic continues the Ryūjin Saga with deeper bonds, darker truths, and the first sparks of a resistance that could change everything.

German readers will find both Volumes 1 and 2 combined in the original German edition.

  • Genre: Dragons, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Supernatural
  • 333 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication September 2, 2025
  • Series: The Ryujin #2

ABOUT STEPHAN LETHAUS (from Amazon)

Stephan Lethaus has been telling fantastical stories since childhood—long before he could write, he spun wild tales about ghosts, dragons, and untamed creatures. His creative journey has since taken him from directing and producing award-winning children’s content to writing epic fantasy. Today, he brings that same sense of wonder and adventure to his fantasy series, The Magical Legacy of the Ryūjin.

Based in Berlin, Stephan is an author and creative producer with over two decades of experience in the animation and media industry. His background in storytelling for the screen has shaped his vivid, cinematic writing style. His earlier productions for children’s television have received multiple awards, including the Goldener Spatz, the Silver Dragon of Beijing, and a nomination for the prestigious Grimme Prize.

In 2016, Stephan published the first book in Skaiyles, a sweeping fantasy series filled with magic, dragons, and untamed legacy [This makes no sense. It’s untamed creature, but to avoid repetition we should look for another word]. He is currently expanding the saga, crafting stories that invite readers into a richly imagined world full of mystery, myth, and heart.

MY STEPHAN LETHAUS REVIEWS

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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
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