$25 GC & Review – Exiles by L J Ambrosio @GoddessFish @authorlambrosio

EXILES L.J. Ambrosio

GENRE:  Literary Fiction/Coming of Age

Seeing this is Book III of the Reflections Of Michael trilogy, I don’t want to spoil anything for those who haven’t had a chance to read it yet, which I highly recommend, I will keep this short.

This series has highlighted friendship, generosity, giving, love, laughter, sorrow, paying it forward…and so much more. I laughed and I cried and I thought of Michael often.

Ron had exiled himself in Paris, with his trusty sidekick, Rhonda. She is quite the character and I loved sharing laughter and tears with her, and Ron. The bookstore he runs is fantastic and unique.

L J Ambrosio sure can write. I find it so hard to write a review for Exiles. I loved it. I got lost in it. I loved walking the streets with the well defined characters. The depth of his writing skills shine in this contemporary, thought provoking, coming of age story. At times he took my breath away. If you want a book that will stick with long after reading it, pick up and L J Ambrosio novel.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Exiles by L J Ambrosio

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

In this final chapter, Ron’s story concludes from Reflections on the Boulevard (2023). Michael’s wish was for Ron to exile himself in the heart of Paris with its beautiful culture and citizens as they protest and fight for the soul of the city. Ron’s journey is met with life-affirming friendships and lessons along the way. The final book in the Reflections of Michael Trilogy, which started with A Reservoir Man (2022).

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A cool autumn breeze, in the twilight, wrapped around our exile who sat on a bench in front of a bookstore that resembled a place we might find in a Tolkien novel. On this street, rue de la Buccheri, was the bookstore Shakespeare and Company. The store itself was famous for housing the books of many great literary artists on their shelves. They also supported any young or old artistic vagabonds by allowing them to sleep in the aisles of the bookstore on makeshift beds when finding themselves homeless.

Ron, who managed the store, sat on this bench every evening thinking of Michael. Ron thought of things he remembered and how much he learnt from Michael. He felt the emptiness in his soul, yearning to have that connection just one more time. He had lived in Paris for six years now, a brief time for an exile, yet he was free from a society drowning in untruths; his refuge was the bookstore.

Just like every night, as Ron prepared to close the store, he occasionally checked the front of the store, looking for his friend. Then, he noticed another young man still looking at books on the outside shelves.

Ron moved outside to get a closer look at the late customer under the guise of moving the outdoor book bins back inside. He suddenly noticed that the young man was putting a book down his pants.

Ron raised his voice and shouted for the thief to put the book back on the shelf. The young man, caught in the act, ran away.

The young man sprinted and tripped while running past the café. In this stumble, he decided to turn the corner and make his way rapidly toward la Seine.

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 7 Universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.

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Review – Titan’s Tears by Chad Lester #chadlester #titanstears

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I was slowly drawn into Chad Lester’s world in Titan’s Tears. A world that was not easy to comprehend, but the more I read, the more familiar I became with the characters and the storyline and I do love when an author unfolds the details in a surprising way.

Science fiction and technology…used in a good and an evil way. Titan’s Tears is one of those thought provoking books that makes me ask…Just because we can do it, should we?

Four characters are drawn together on an isolated island off the coast of Alaska. Robots, and a Jurassic Type jungle are not the only things that are dangerous. Treachery and betrayal are around every corner.

Titan’s Tears and the ending didn’t go the way I thought and I do love when an author is able to surprise me. Great job, Chad. The story may have started slow for me, but as I got familiar with the characters and story I got more involved in the characters lives. I began to feel a sense of urgency. Fiction/Reality, sometimes there is a fine line between the two.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Titan’s Tears by Chad Lester.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

Unnatural things are happening on an isolated island off the coast of Alaska.

Just when Belle had thought her life couldn’t get any weirder—she finds herself arrested for murder. Only a few months ago she lived in a peculiar village, cut off from civilization, where she suffered from bizarre hallucinations and nightmares. Then she received a mysterious invitation to work for the world’s most brilliant scientist—the enigmatic Sophia Eccleston. The pay was outstanding. The accommodations, second to none. The catch? Belle had to live on isolated island and follow strict, often bizarre, security protocols.

Meanwhile a slaughterhouse worker is declared obsolete, replaced by machines, and becomes a bearded recluse. As he sits in his crumbling manor awaiting the cancer to take him—he too receives an unusual invitation to the strange island where either his salvation or damnation await. Things aren’t going well for Sophia either. She faces the hostile takeover of her life’s work—her company—all while striving to keep the identity of her eight-year-old daughter a secret. They all meet on an isle where murder-machines and transgenic creatures run amok in a gothic odyssey where technology has been unleashed.

  • Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Science Fiction,
  • 376 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication June 30, 2024
  • Setting: Alaska, Oregon (US)

Chad Lester is the author of the novel ‘Titan’s Tears’ and the short story collection ‘Continuum.

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Review – I Just Died In Your Arms – An Anthology Of Novellas Inspired By One Hit Wonders #ijustdiedinyourarms @caverstraete

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Hold onto your hats, people, because I have 12 novellas/short stories to share in the anthology, I Just Died In Your Arms. The beginning of each story tells the history of the song the story is based on. You may want to have some of them playing in the background, complementing these easy reading mysteries. The great cover depicts the blood that will be shed. I didn’t zip through the book like I normally would. Instead I would read a story or two, then move on to a novel I had on the back burner. That is the great thing about a quick read, you can pick it up no matter where you are at and enjoy it. It’s also a great introduction to the writing style of some new authors. Maybe you’ll even add them to your favorites list and read more of their work.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

Hitting the charts only once isn’t just unfortunate…it’s a crime.

Over the decades, tons of musical artists and groups have had a hit song that has lived on long after the tune topped the charts and is often looked upon fondly for decades to come. For some musicians, this may be the only the song they’re ever known for and they fade into obscurity soon thereafter. These are affectionately known as “one-hit wonders,” and are much celebrated by fans and music publications, particularly on September 25th each year on One-Hit Wonder Day

12 of today’s best short story authors have taken their favorite one-hit wonders and reimagined them as the influence for some pretty heinous crimes. (I Just) Died in Your Arms features a decades-spanning collection of immediately recognizable hit songs turned into stories from the amazing talents of Vinnie Hansen, Jeanne DuBois, Josh Pachter, J.M. Taylor, Christine Verstraete, Sandra Murphy, Joseph S. Walker, Wendy Harrison, Bev Vincent, Leone Ciporin, Adam Gorgoni and Barb Goffman.

  • Genre: Anthologies and Collections, Music and Musicians, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
  • 181 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published January 9, 2024 by White City Press
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Original – Review – Invocation by Aileen Erin @aileen_erin #Invocation #NetGalley

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My name is Samantha Catherine Lopez, and I am Nephilim. This is my story.

From the opening pages, I was immediately drawn into Samantha’s world. Aileen Erin seamlessly wove together a tale of good and evil that made it hard to look away. The characters came to life, even when they were dead. I love that Samantha runs towards danger and faces her fears, knowing it’s the right thing to do.

I have read books with paranormal creatures, heavenly and demonic creatures, and the humans they walk among, but Invocation is an original take on a familiar story line.

Invocation is a fast paced thriller that took my breath away and had me clutching my ereader, white knuckled, on the edge of my seat, devouring words before they could devour Samantha. She has friends all around her, but going to Hell and facing her father is something she must do alone. Talk about family problems….her father is a fallen angel and he wants her in Hell with him.

When Samantha and her father come face to face and her strength falters, who will reach out and bring her home?

At first I thought this could be a stand alone, no series book, but I was so glad to find out it’s not. I want more and I want it now!

I would like to thank Aileen Erin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Invocation.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

From USA Today Bestselling Author, Aileen Erin, comes an all new action-packed, romance-filled, paranormal series.

There are three things I know without question. One, demons are real. Two humans make awful mistakes that get them in demonic trouble more often than you’d think. And three, I’m the only one who can help them.

I straddle the line between the mortal and spiritual realms every day. People might think they’re two different places, but they’re not. They lay on top of each other. It’s messy, and that’s why so many people need my help.

Since I was little, I’ve been called all kinds of names—unusual, abnormal, even insane. Which is fitting since they keep throwing me in to mental facilities. I’ve been in and out of them my entire life.

But no matter what people say, no matter what I’m risking, I will always help those in need.

Because there’s an endless war carrying on all around us, every minute of every day. One that can’t be seen by mortal eyes. But I can see it, the spiritual battle for mortal souls, and I’m working hard to make sure my father is on the losing side.

My father—Astaroth, Satan’s general—is why I can do this. He’s why I’m not normal. I hear him, whispering my name at night, his taunts echoing through the spiritual realm. He’s hunting me, and I know the day will come when I must face him again.

Every portal I open could be the one that finally pulls me back to Hell, and I wonder if I will brave enough, strong enough, good enough to fight him.

My name is Samantha Catherine Lopez, and I am Nephilim. This is my story.

**Fans of the Alpha Girls series will love this new series set in the same world, with a few familiar faces. 😉 BUT you DO NOT have to have read a single word of the Alpha Girls series to enjoy Samantha’s story.

  • Genre: Angels, Demons, Fairies, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Werewolves, Young Adult
  • Format: 414 pages, ebook
  • Published: March 19, 2024 by Ink Monster, LLC

Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican and 100% nerd-from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband, daughter, and mischievous mini bernedoodle in Texas, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.

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Review – Wet, Warm And Noisy: A Jake Ward Novel by David A Wilson @dav_willson

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This is one of the few times where a title catches my attention before the cover. If you want to know what is wet warm and noisy, well, you’ll need to read the book for yourself.

I have been recovering from a serious illness and wanted a book to blow me away. Wet, Warm And Noisy didn’t do it, but the blend of law enforcement and the supernatural kept my attention. The things Jake Ward goes through has me wondering what will be left of him when all is said and done. It is suitably creepy and I did find myself cringing as he was poked and prodded.

As Jake Ward follows Belle Anderson down the rabbit hole, the danger rises. He has no idea what’s in store for him….and neither did I. It didn’t end the way I thought, and I love it. I look forward to going on more adventures with Jake Ward and David A Willson.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Wet, Warm And Noisy by David A Willson.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

A supernatural crime thriller set in Alaska, the Last Frontier…Surrounded by the unforgiving climate of the frozen north, Jake Ward, a tenacious Alaska State Trooper Investigator and cancer survivor, is on a relentless quest to regain his health and return to full-duty status.

But Ward’s world takes a bone-chilling turn during a routine polygraph examination when a woman escapes custody, leaving an officer critically injured. What started as an ordinary investigation transforms into a complex web of intrigue, where medical experimentation and consciousness collide.

In “Wet, Warm, and Noisy,” Willson masterfully blurs the boundaries between law enforcement and the supernatural, leading readers on a heart-pounding journey through a realm where the tangible and the mysterious intersect. With time slipping away, can Ward decipher the enigmas that defy reason, or will forces that transcend human experience overwhelm him?

Author David A. Willson, with over two decades of experience as an Alaska State Trooper, brings a rare authenticity to crime fiction that will both enlighten and captivate you. Prepare yourself for an electrifying thriller that challenges the very foundations of our reality.

  • Genre: Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction
  • Format: 244 pages, Paperback
  • Published: February 7, 2024 by Independently published
  • English

David A. Willson is a father, husband, pancreatic cancer survivor and a retired Alaska State Trooper. Taught by his mother to love books at a young age, he spent his childhood exploring magic, spaceships, and other dimensions. In his writing, he strives to bring those worlds to his readers.

Much of his material is inspired by the ‘Great Land’ of Alaska, which he has called home for over 40 years. He is passionate about technology, faith, and fiction—not necessarily in that order.

When not writing, he enjoys traveling, woodworking, brewing beer and wine, and playing acoustic guitar.

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One Sentence Reviews for Tina Leonard & Robin Bridges @Tina_Leonard @robinbridges

The Unfailing Light (Katerina, #2)I won a hardcover of The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges a long time ago and am just getting around to reading and reviewing it.

This is one of those books that is hard to rate because it is Book II and I don’t have Book I or III, so I don’t get the full story, BUT the more I read, the more I enjoyed the story and the more I became involved with the characters, wishing I would have had the entire series and read from the beginning.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 3 Stars

Burned by a Kiss (Star Canyon #1).I won two books in the Star Canyon series, paperback novellas, by Tina Leonard.

I wasn’t expecting a lot from this quick read, because romance and ‘westerns’ are not high on my reading list, but we do have a little bit of romance and a little bit of mystery, the characters steal the show, and I would love to know more.  🙂

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  2 Stars

Branded by Fire

I am so glad I had Branded by Fire hanging around because with each novella I read, the more I become involved with the family, the more I wanted to know what the heck is going on, get involved in their simple romance, become a part of their tight knit family, and the more I get the know them, the more I want the mystery solved and for them to have their happy ever afters. 🙂

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 3 Stars

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Review – And With Blood In Their Eyes by Kevin Cady #kevincadyauthor

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WOW, what a fabulous cover.All I had to do was see the cove”r and know I wanted to read And With Blood In Their Eyes by Keven Cady. I love the blood dripping from the skull, screaming horror is coming your way. AND, I say, “Bring it on!”

I did follow Kevin into the mountain and there was plenty of horror to be had.

This is one of those books that I find hard to rate and review. I do like the dark, but I never quite got the urgency of finding out what comes next. I was reading this after a long illness, so that may have something to do with it.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Kevin Cady, so even though I was just getting back into reading and blogging again, this was on the top of my stack of books, waiting to be read. It called to me, and I listened.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

A gripping novel by the award-winning Dark Mystery author—Kevin Cady

Ancient Springs is dying.
A little girl sees things with blood in their eyes.
A young boy is left helpless in a storage unit.
People are disappearing in the mountains west of town.
And someone is stalking across the country, cutting out people’s eyes and heart.
No matter how it calls to you, avoid the pikes of Aladiza.
The only place to run is away.

  • Genre: Fiction, Horror
  • Format: 364 pages, Paperback
  • Published: October 23, 2023 by Independently published
  • Language: English

A Book Excellence Awards Finalist in 2022. Featured in the Marquis Who’s Who In America Publication in 2023! Kevin lives in Colorado with his wife, Caitlin, and their pup, Saloon. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him in the mountains or at the local concert venues.

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Review – Life Among The Tombstones by H R Boldwood @BoldwoodH @SDBookTours

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Great cover, title and story is found in the prequel, Life Among The Tombstones by H R Boldwood. I was super excited when I received three more books in the Allie Nighthawk Mysteries series. MMMMMM! Zombies may want brains, but I want more of Allie.

Allie comes home to Cincinnati, Ohio, to murder, mayhem, and zombies. Her past rears its ugly head…wanting revenge. I’m not too worried about her, because she is a kickass womance who runs towards danger, instead of away from it.

Life Among The Tombstones was a pretty quick read. It kept me flipping pages, leaving me wanting more. It’s a good thing I was able to get the next three books in the series. I am eager to share them, so let’s get to it.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

Life Among the Tombstones

Freelance zombie hunter seeking full-time employment-benefits required.

In this prequel to The Corpse Whisperer series, financially challenged zombie hunter, Allie Nighthawk, returns to her hometown of Cincinnati and finds herself knee-deep in murder, mayhem, and zombies. Can she solve not one but two murders, and get away unscathed — when the good guys might not be so good, and a presence from her past returns for revenge?

**Get it FREE!**

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H.R. Boldwood, author of the Corpse Whisperer series, countless short stories, and Imadjinn Award finalist, is a writer of horror and speculative fiction. In another incarnation, Boldwood is a Pushcart Prize nominee and winner of the 2009 Bilbo Award for creative writing by Thomas More College. Boldwood’s characters are often disreputable and not to be trusted. They are kicked to the curb at every conceivable opportunity when some poor unsuspecting publisher welcomes them with open arms. No responsibility is taken by this author for the dastardly and sometimes criminal acts committed by this ragtag group of miscreants.

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Review – Mind Games by Nora Roberts #NetGalley #MindGames #NoraRoberts

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I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read Mind Games by Nora Roberts. I have been reading her work for decades (oops, showing my age a bit).

The cover of Mind Games looks so adventurous and peaceful, but the story is anything but…and I was pleasantly surprised. I love when an author mixes mystery and suspense with the paranormal and Nora Roberts wove them together seamlessly.

I never used to be so interested in the romance of a story, but that has changed since I have gotten older. I love romantic suspense and paranormal romance. Nora hid the nail on the head…we have all the romance we could want in Mind Games.

The villain is a great villain, sufficiently evil and, even though he is locked up in supermax, he manages to haunt Thea. Thea made the mistake of creating an opening, but she was only twelve years old, so we can understand how her need to make the villain pay would override her need to keep a distance from him. He is more dangerous than she knew.

There’s plenty of fun dialogue, along with the grown up talk. At times, I found myself laughing out loud. Kids are little sponges and pick up those grown up words we wish they would never hear…know what I mean?

I know the book is a stand alone, not a series, but I grew to care so much about the characters, I would love to visit them again. Nora Roberts brought them to life and I don’t want to see their story end.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

The #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Identity presents a suspenseful new novel of tragedy and trauma, love and family, and the evil that awaits.

As they do each June, the Foxes have driven the winding roads of Appalachia to drop off their children for a two-week stay at their grandmother’s. Here, twelve-year-old Thea can run free and breathe in the smells of pine and fresh bread and Grammie’s handmade candles. But as her parents head back to suburban Virginia, they have no idea they’re about to cross paths with a ticking time bomb.

Back in Kentucky, Thea and her grandmother Lucy both awaken from the same nightmare. And though the two have never discussed the special kind of sight they share, they know as soon as their tearful eyes meet that something terrible has happened.

The kids will be staying with Grammie now in Redbud Hollow, and thanks to Thea’s vision, their parents’ killer will spend his life in supermax. Over time, Thea will make friends, build a career, find love. But that ability to see into minds and souls still lurks within her, and though Grammie calls it a gift, it feels more like a curse―because the inmate who shattered her childhood has the same ability. Thea can hear his twisted thoughts and witness his evil acts from miles away. He knows it, and hungers for vengeance. A long, silent battle will be waged between them―and eventually bring them face to face, and head to head…

  • Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller
  • 352 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication May 21, 2024 by St Marin’s Press
  • Setting: Redbud Hollow, Kentucky (US) Fredericksburg, Virginia (US)

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 — The Becoming — the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

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Review – In The Doldrums by Simon Dieppe #simondieppe #inthedoldrums

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I have gotten on a huge apocalyptic/dystopian reading binge and when I saw In The Doldrums by Simon Dieppe’s cover I got even more curious. Without looking, what do you think is on the cover?

BOOM

Someone pushed the button and hell and chaos was released. Will humanity be able to survive? If you don’t die from the bomb, what about the fallout? Would you want to be one of the survivors? It’s not just the power grid being obliterated, food, water, and medical supplies becoming scarce, but you know it will be survivor against survivor.

Donal O’Brien is one of the 27 survivors on the Thalassa, a container ship with a vast ocean separating them from land. They had parked themselves In The Doldrums, a belt around the Earth that allowed them to tread water, saving their fuel. But, how long can they survive, before they have to find somewhere to replenish heir supplies?

I had also remembered that Kirk, Spock and Bones were always accompanied by at least two junior members of the crew, who were invariably cannon-fodder for humanoid lizards and aggressive robots.

In The Doldrums was a bit different from my usual apocalyptic/dystopian reading, considering it takes place on a ship at sea. We all know that sooner or later they are going to have to seek out other survivors. Will they be hostile?

Simon Dieppe didn’t waste any time getting into the crisis. He supplied food for thought, seeing we are living with so much instability all across the globe. Are you of the ilk that no one would be cruel enough to push the button? Myself, I go back and forth on the subject. We have so many volatile leaders, it’s hard to not think about it.

The pacing kept me involved and I loved the ending. After all, we need hope to keep us putting one foot in front of the other. So….if you are looking an intriguing read that is sure to keep you guessing, it would be hard to go wrong with In The Doldrums.

Thanks Simon, for the opportunity to read and review a free copy of In The Doldrums.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

A strategic, manmade global pandemic.
A nuclear response.
A new, dark age for humanity.

Two weeks before, washed-up writer, Donal O’Brien, boards the container ship Thalassa. In a last-ditch attempt to gain literary immortality, he has left his life behind to immerse himself in a new world – a world he hopes will inspire him to create his masterpiece. He is to tell the story of those who live at sea, those whose work invisibly greases the cogs of modern consumerism. It is a world of ingrained inequality, a melting pot of nations, a soup of stories.

Then, as the ship reaches the quiet of the Mid-Atlantic Doldrums, humanity implodes.

Unsure of what remains of the world they left behind, the crew of twenty-two must find a way to survive – not only from the catastrophe that surrounds them, but from each other.

In the Doldrums is a speculative psychological thriller, murder mystery and examination of the human condition all rolled up into one.

For lovers of literary dystopian, post-apocalyptic fiction who enjoyed novels such as Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven and Hannah Jameson’s The Last.

★★★★★“A beautifully written post-apocalyptic tale. The juxtaposing themes of hope, despair, loneliness, fear, paranoia and friendship are all explored and navigated expertly. The geographically, scientifically and historically accurate facts grounds the story in realism and allows you to truly picture the settings and places from the story.” John Athan

★★★★★”Clever writing in a future that is entirely believable.” S.Bowsher

★★★★★”Really good, chillingly appropriate for the times.” N.J. Blake

  • Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Psychological, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
  • 288 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published January 1, 2024

Simon Dieppe lives near Worcester in the UK. He has been a lawyer, worked in the international conference industry and was a Director in a UK PLC, but has now settled down as an English and History teacher – a career that he loves. Simon started writing in the first lockdown, and hasn’t stopped. In the Doldrums is his third novel, but the first that he has published. He is currently re-working the first two books with the aim of publishing them later this year. He has an eclectic taste in literature, but has always been drawn towards dystopian fiction. He lives with his wife, two children and dog, Bernie.

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