Category Archives: Reviews

Review – Andrea Pearson & The Koven Chronicles, Books I & II @andreapearson2

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MY REVIEW

I have been following Andrea Pearson for some time now. I love her sense of humor, which comes out in her writing style. Her books deal with danger in a light hearted manner. That is not to say that her characters don’t take the danger seriously, because they do.

Here’s an example:

She whacked me once as if chastising me for not obeying sooner, then scrambled off as I stretched.

Lizzie is talking about her cat and I couldn’t help but smile, letting a picture run through my head.

Lizzie is an Arete, a fourth born child with special powers, a Fire Impeder. She is able to micro manage fire, right down to individual molecules, preventing the sparks from igniting

Humans are aware of supernaturals, because they have been here before.

“…demons from other planets have come out of sheer curiosity. I’m worried they’ll like it enough to stay.”

They are back, because a Prophecy given many years ago said she would be born and would be a danger to all the demons. From the hellhounds to the fire vampires. I mean, aren’t regular vampires bad enough? Now, Andrea Pearson has to crank them up. 🙂

She must go the Alaska to learn of The Prophecy, found in the Akashic records. The Shade Amulet will help protect her.

Wowzers – he smelled good.

There is a triangle, of sorts, between Abel, Cole and Lizzie. When she lets Cole know there is another man she has feelings for:

“Good. Don’t underestimate the need a man has to conquer.”

I feel this is very much for teen and young adults and was a spin off of another series, though the description does not say that. The characters keep referring back to previous events and I feel like I’m missing out on something. That won’t stop me from continuing on to the next story in the Koven Chronicles, The Black Masquerade.

In a note from the author she states that every time someone leaves a review, Lizzie punches a hound in the face. See these hellhounds are a series problem, I’m all for that.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Who’s more dangerous—the brooding, attractive man she’s partnered with or the things they’re hunting?

Lizzie Ashton thought being a professional Fire Impeder was dangerous, but using her magic to stop bombs, guns, and fires before they start is nothing compared to what happens when Abel, an intense man she’s worked with previously, storms back into her life.

Abel needs assistance with a dangerous task that only Lizzie can do. She hesitates to accept his job offer, as what little she knows of his dark past unnerves her, despite their moments of attraction. But when the local police department calls her in on a disturbing murder investigation, Lizzie must put aside her misgivings and partner up with Abel.

Luckily, she has the Shade Amulet to help her. But as more people are murdered—and closer to Lizzie’s home—the case quickly becomes personal. Is this job worth her life?

If you enjoy edge-of-your-seat fantasy action, slightly snarky humor, and a hint of romance, you’ll love the first book in the pulse-pounding Koven Chronicles. The Shade Amulet will thrill you to the core. It will keep you up late into the night, devouring its pages. Grab it now.

  • Genre: Demons, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghosts, Paranormal, Supernatural
  • 272 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published December 11, 2017
  • Series: Koven Chronicles, Book I

Amazon / Kindle Unlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

We pick up where we left off in The Shadow Amulet.

I am tired just reading about all Lizzie’s activities. How she finds time to juggle several men on to of all her work calls and searches for answers to her personal dilemmas, amazes me.

We have hellhounds and fire vampires and Lizzie puts pressure on herself to save the whole town. Of course, she has some helpers, Abel, Alex and Cole, but Justin? I feel he is too perfect. Am I jaded from reading books about so much betrayal, or are my spidey sense spot on? We shall see.

I was suspicious about the ball. That night was magically deadly and the action was frantic. I have been waiting for the excitement and Andrea Pearson delivered at the end of The Black Masquerade. It was better than the first book, but I still wavered between a 3 and a 4. I am looking forward to reading more of the series and loved the action at the end, so 4 it is.

Andrea state that Lizzie will punch The Shade Amulet for not working properly for every review written. So, here is my review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

There’s nothing like a ghost visiting you while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store. Unfortunately for Lizzie, that isn’t the only supernatural visit she’ll receive… When an angry ghost named Angelo threatens Lizzie and sets her house on fire, she knows the time has come for her to step fully into her role as destroyer of evil supernatural creatures. But things turn out to be much trickier than the amulet doesn’t function as she thought it would and fire vampires with unknown motives have set up camp in a nearby canyon. Not only that, but the effigy that is distracting hounds from devouring her is still on the loose, and its shade owners want it back. They hand her an return the effigy, or they’ll command it to destroy her. And yes, it’s something they can do. Will Lizzie keep the ghosts happy while performing her sanctioned duties or will the hounds catch up to her before she’s safe? Find out now by downloading this edge-of-your-seat urban fantasy by bestselling author Andrea Pearson now!

  • Genre: Demons, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghosts, Paranormal, Supernatural
  • 272 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published December 11, 2017
  • Series: Koven Chronicles, Book I

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

  • Shadow Hunter (Midnight Chronicles)
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Tyranny Rules – The Price Of Safety by Michael Bland @mcblandwriter

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MY REVIEW

The Price Of Safety by Michael C Bland is anything but…I was quickly swept up in the incredible world he has created.

“Dad, I need help,”: my nineteen year old daughter said.

Dray’s life is going to change in ways he never could have imagined, and he has been instrumental in many of the scientific advancements in the year of 2047. His heroes will become his worst enemies.

Neural implants, drones, genetic engineering, tyranny, conspiracy, and scientific advancements make up Michael Bland’s incredible world of The Price Of Safety, an oxymoron. Imagine, if you will, that every action you take and every word you utter is being observed. And if THEY don’t like it, well…there will be repercussions.

Dray may be the main character, because he has what everyone wants…knowledge, but others stood out to me, too. One of the characters, Kieran is the ultimate villain and one of my favorite characters because of it. On the flip side, Talia, Dray’s youngest daughter, is another of my favorite characters. Her chutzpah is adorable. She is bright and impulsive.

As Dray’s eyes are opened and reality seeps in, the danger rises for him and his family. There is nowhere to hide.

The action ramps up to a frenetic level. Bodies will fall in the streets, buildings destroyed, entire neighborhoods invaded. A war is on, but the ‘herd’ has no knowledge of it. They are caught in the middle of those who rule and those who refuse to go down without a fight.

Mina, Dray’s wife….Good one, Michael. I love that you show no mercy to anyone. Every time I turn around, I find my jaw dropping, my sense of wonder at the depth and creativity of your writing coming alive on every page as the tension takes over, making me rapidly flip the pages, devouring the words, lost in the story. I was filled with anger and rage, sadness and despair, yet hope for those who will not stop to keep us free from tyranny.

I want to share so much more, but I want you, the reader, to have the same emotions running riot as you read The Price Of Safety by Michael C Bland, as I did. So this is all you get.

The Price of Safety is part of a planned trilogy and I can hardly wait to see what comes next.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

2020 INDIE BOOK AWARD FINALIST – SCIENCE FICTION
2020 INDIE BOOK AWARD FINALIST – THRILLER
2020 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARD FINALIST – NEW ADULT FICTION


By 2047, no crime in the U.S. goes unsolved. No wrongdoing goes unseen. When Dray Quintero learns his 19-year-old daughter Raven committed a heinous act, he covers it up to save her life. This pits him against the police he’s respected since he was a child and places him in the crosshairs of Kieran, a ruthless federal Agent. To survive, Dray must overcome the surveillance system he helped build and the technology implanted in the brains and eyes of the citizens.

To protect his family, he turns to a group of fighters who also discovered the government’s secret. But their help isn’t enough, for his adversaries have a level of control he’s unable to escape. That no one can.

Hunted and betrayed, with time running out, Dray must choose between saving Raven and dismantling the near-perfect society he helped create.

  • Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Genetic Engineering,Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
  • 335 pages, Paperback
  • Published April 6, 2020
  • Series: The Price Of Trilogy

ABOUT MICHAEL C BLAND

Michael C Bland is a founding member and the secretary of BookPod, an invitation-only, online group of professional writers. He pens the monthly BookPod newsletter where he celebrates the success of their members, which include award-winning writers, film makers, journalists, and bestselling authors.

His novel, The Price of Safety, was chosen as a Finalist of the 2020 Indie Book Awards for both Science Fiction and Thriller, and is the first in a planned trilogy.

Michael currently lives in Denver with his wife Janelle and their dog Nobu.

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Hell Hath No Fury – Into The Silent Sea by Claire Stibbe @ClaireStibbe

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MY REVIEW

The Prologue, I love Prologues, for Into The Silent Sea by Claire Stibbe, got my attention and my curiosity humming. That’s a great start for what I think is going to be a great story.

What do you think about when your significant other is very late getting home, or doesn’t come home at all? Do you imagine them lying in a ditch on the side of the road? When I read it in the book, I couldn’t help but smile, because I have had that thought.

Part of the deal with Clodagh Shepherd’s marriage to Ryan, was a prenup saying she would turn a blind eye to his affairs. WTH! Why would she even marry him? Then, is he gaslighting her, making her think that she is crazy? Or is she crazy?

A book like Into The Silent Sea can be a wake up call for those in a troubled marriage. Keep on eye on your finances, or you may be left broke and homeless while he/she is living the good life.

At times I almost cried out loud, “Don’t drink the coffee.”

My head was spinning from all the psychological craziness going on in her head…and the craziness she has set in motion…and the craziness all around her..and the craziness that found its way into my head. Things are not as they appear to be and the more I read, the further down the rabbit hole I go. There is no way I was every going to figure this one out…and I was happy with the ending. She does prove the adage, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

I will warn you to take a deep breath before you dive Into The Silent Sea by Claire Stibbe.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Dangerous is one thing. Deadly is something else.

When Clodagh Shepherd’s curiosity gives way to obsession, her thoughts turn to revenge.
In the wake of her husband’s affair and subsequent disappearance, Clo makes an impulsive decision to befriend the beautiful stranger who has stolen her life. Answering an ad for a home help, she moves into the home of her husband’s mistress and is immediately drawn into the chilling reality behind the idyllic façade of Hamptons Life. Central to her terrifying nightmare is a deadly secret—a secret someone will kill to keep.
In this dark and twisting thriller, Clo proves the adage ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ with shocking consequences.

  • Genre: Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller
  • 350 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published October 24, 2018 by Bookpreneur

ABOUT CLAIRE STIBBE

Claire Stibbe is the winner of the 2021 Page Turner Award for Fiction and a prolific novelist. Today, she writes dark, domestic suspense novels that draw on her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse. Her aim is not just to tell gripping stories but to inspire other survivors to find freedom and independence.

Claire worked as an Executive Assistant for twenty years in both London and the Far East. She now devotes herself full-time to writing. Her novels owe much to her years as a member of the Albuquerque Police Citizen’s Academy where her main focus was the impact of violence towards women and their families.

Claire now lives in Utah with her husband and son, and her cat, Edward, who sleeps on her desk while she writes. She is addicted to reading and sharing the crime fiction love. To keep up-to-date with her new books and blogs, sign up for her newsletter at: https://linktr.ee/ClaireStibbe

Member: Albuquerque Police Citizen’s Academy, International Thriller Writers, CWA, Sisters in Crime, Alliance of Independent Authors and Mystery Writers, New Mexico Book Co-op, and Southwest Writers.

Awards: Winner of the Page Turner Writing Award and the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards, Wishing Shelf Silver Medal Award, Award-Winning Finalist 2019 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest.

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A Masterpiece – Veil Of Shadows Omnibus by M R Pritchard @M_R_Pritchard @booksirens

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MY REVIEW

Angels, demons, ghosts,the walking dead…I am so all over the Veil of Shadows series. So many elements that I love. Combine some Walking Dead, some Lucifer, some Supernatural, some Charmed and I am in Heaven…Hell…and everywhere between. I didn’t realize I had Sparrow Man sitting on my ereader until I went to write a review for the first book of the Veil of Shadows Omnibus by M R Pritchard. It has been patiently waiting to be read since 4.7.16 and after reading it, I was sorry I had waited so long. The good thing about waiting, is now I have the entire series. No waiting to find out the final solution and you will need the entire series to get it.

Sparrow Man

“I was alone. Waiting for my fiance to get home -” “His name is Jim?”

Meg sets out to find him…alone. Every step is dangerous and she is ill equipped to handle it on her own. It’s a good thing she comes across Sparrow. Is it be chance or fate? She thinks he’s crazy. Obsessive about collecting feathers. About Jim, I didn’t see that coming at all. About Meg, I knew something was up with her. After all, she is the star of the show, so she has to special in some way. About Sparrow, his identity slowly came to me, but I didn’t grasp the full story. As Meg finds out her history and lineage, the full betrayal brings her to her knees. I am super pissed off for her and I would love to be there and help her kick some demon ass. The familiarity with The Walking Dead, Supernatural and Lucifer made reading Sparrow Man wicked good and easy to visualize the action. Sparrow Man laid the foundation for the entire series, which needs to be read in order. It did end in a good place with no cliffhanger. I will be devouring Nightingale Girl, Book II, ASAP.

Nightingale Girl

It didn’t take long for me to become enamored with Nightingale Girl. She is outgoing, vivacious, gets around on roller skates, and is locked in the dungeon by her father. She is a bit off, as is Sparrow, her brother. They are under a curse and the only way to lift it is for one of them to serve their time as a Hellion. Their father was a coward and refused to go, so it falls to Sparrow. I feel Nightingale and Meg will be good friends and Nightingale begs her to bring her to Hell with her and Sparrow while he serves his time. It’s so bright in Heaven that Meg goes around with sunglasses. She carries a machete that Lucifer gave her, created in the bowels of Hell and will only cut for her. It made me think of Michonne in The Walking Dead and Mazekeen in Lucifer. She is half dark and half light, trying to figure out where she really belongs. I think the car situation is funny. Hell gets jeeps and Heaven gets Cadillacs. Meg and Sparrow’s relationship in Hell makes me think of Phoebe and Cole in Charmed with some vampiric moments thrown in. Oh, and Noah…I love the ghostie guy. Danger is all around and when it’s time for Meg and Nightingale to leave, Sparrow must stay behind. We end with:

“Monsters aren’t so bad.” Good ol’ Nightingale is here, haunting my dreams…”He’s your monster now, Meg.”

Scarecrow

Scarecrow picks up where Nightingale Girl left off, so the series needs to be read in order. Meg is being hunted. Not just by demons and angels, but she is on the America’s Most Wanted list. Enter her lawyer, Reuben. She doesn’t know it yet, but she gets more than she bargained for with Reuben. She travels from Heaven to Hell to the Earthly plane and back again. Sparrow wants her to return to Hell to be with him, but I don’t blame her for being hesitant. Sooner or later, she will have to choose between the dark and the light, good and evil. The zombies are rising, choices will be made…AND, WOW, that ending. I sure didn’t see it coming….and I LOVE IT.

Raven King

Meg reminds me so much of Michonne (The Walking Dead) and Mazekeen (Lucifer) as she swings her machete, lopping off heads of the walking dead and demons, battling good and evil, inside and out. She must find Sparrow to restore the balance across the planes, as the dead run rampant through Heaven and Hell. The Hellions and Angels body count rises. I am saddened at the loss of some wonderful characters, but sometimes they gotta go for the good of the story. Isn’t that right M? I love how Meg orbs around the planes in a ‘Charmed’ fashion. Meg had been alone for so long, her heartache is a new feeling for her. Vibrun is a brutal, savage ruler. Power mad, greedy. If you stand by his side, be very careful. He is like a rabid dog, liable to bite the hand that feeds him. Where is God, as all this is going on? The ending…OMG!!!!!!

Nightjar

We pick up where we left off. Meg poofed and brought blood and the smell of death back to Hell with her. Skeele had been at her side when she was broken and bloody before, and he’d be by her side again. Hell needed her. She brought light to Hell’s darkness. Thrush, Noah & Nightingale’s baby, are the the heart of Nightjar. We have some lighthearted, laughable moments, and I love when an author gives us those feel good moments when a story is so heavy. Teari’s sorrow is deep and I love that, though she is an angel, she is Meg’s friend and Meg has not given up on healing her wounded body. Everyone knows that Hellions lie, but Angels are just as proficient at lies and deceit. Gabriel, her father, will make a choice…and we have another jaw dropping ending…AND I LOVE IT!

Night Owl

Skeele has been by Meg’s side, sticking like glue. He may be a bit grumpy, but whatever she needs, he is there. She doesn’t know how he feels, but his insecurity makes him feel unworthy. He doesn’t know the secret she harbors. He makes himself weak, loosing weight because he feels she needs the blood and he starves himself so she can have what she needs.

I have pledged my life to her, he thought, why does she despise me? I make her physically ill. She can’t even look at me.

I chuckle here, chuckle there. I’m loving Jed and Shay. I love that they want a dog. I love that they sit around the table eating dinner in Hell, like a Lifetime Christmas movie.

Why is she running? No, no, no. But, this adventure ended up being so much fun…for me.

He should stay so I don’t wind up fucking a log in the backyard.

Meg had me cracking up. There is so much I want to share, but I don’t want to spoil anything. I am reveling in Meg’s story. She is finally accepting her role.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Veil of Shadows!!!!!!!! The world she created is filled with adventure, romance, danger, love, Heaven meets Hell, the walking dead roam above and below, and fate and destiny are woven into a spellbinding fantasy. Does god have a plan?

I am awed by M R Pritchard’s writing and she is definitely at the top of my must read list! This is the second mind blowing series of hers that I have read! The Phoenix Project was the first.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

AMAZON SYNOPSIS

Some people are cursed. Or in Meg’s case, damned. She’s on the run, harboring a deadly secret. Sparrow, an unexpected travel companion, knows she’s hiding something more profound. Unimpressed by tales of her sinful past, he hungers for the truth, especially about the day she killed those seven men.

Meg finds, the Seven Kingdoms of Heaven are far from wonderful. Meg’s promise to never leave is tested as Sparrow’s behavior grows strange, yet again. As the daughter of an Archangel and the Devil’s own spawn, Meg knows paradise comes with complications. Love, however, has the power to change even a world-weary country girl, even if it means losing her mind.

There is no rest for the wicked. Meg’s determination to forge her own path leads her to the Earthen plane, where she battles personal demons and seeks a new life. But the absence of Sparrow is a heavy burden, and Nightingale haunts her dreams. To make matters worse, an unknown hand keeps unleashing zombies nearby, forcing Meg to confront her heritage.

The relentless monsters of her world show no mercy. Without wings and Sparrow by her side, Meg struggles to find her place in her realm. She hatches a plan to rescue Sparrow, but it spirals into disaster.

Haunted by Sparrow’s shocking betrayal, Meg faces a breaking point. Caring for an amputee Angel and two refugees from the Earthen plane adds to her mounting pressure. With King Gabriel imprisoned and a kidnapped baby Thrush in her care, time is running out to prevent Thrush from sharing the Nightjar’s fate.

Revenge and redemption collide, forcing Meg to confront her inner demons and desires. Will her quest for vengeance consume her, or can she find the strength to protect those she holds dear? In a race against time and her own turbulent emotions, Meg’s choices will determine the fate of those she loves.

As Meg grapples with the heartbeat in her womb and the constant threat to her friends, she decides it’s best to disappear. Fleeing to the Earthen plane to hide and plan her next move, she encounters mysterious assistance amid thunderstorms and insatiable hungers. Will Meg destroy the one man who would follow her through hell and high water?

Discover a world where love battles darkness, destinies entwine, and wickedness knows no rest in this thrilling dark fantasy romance omnibus.

ABOUT M R PRITCHARD (from Amazon)

M. R. Pritchard is a two-time Kindle Scout winning author, her short story “Glitch” has been featured in the 2017 winter edition of THE FIRST LINE literary journal, and her short story “Moon Lord” has been featured in Chronicle Worlds: Half Way Home (Part of the Future Chronicles). M. R. Pritchard holds degrees in Biochemistry and Nursing. She is a northern New Yorker transplanted to the Gulf Coast of Florida who enjoys coffee, mint chocolate, cloudy days, and reading on the lanai.

Visit her website MRPritchard.com and sign up for her newsletter. You’ll get a monthly newsletter with updates, day to day shenanigans, and book deals.

MY M R PRITCHARD REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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The Wolf I Want For Christmas by Abigail Owen @AOwenBooks

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abigail owen, award-winning, author, paranormal romance
wolf shifter, paranormal romance, christmas romance
wolf shifter, alpha male, fated mates, ocd, allergies, romantic comedy

The Wolf I Want For Christmas by Abigail Owen was part of the Christmas After Dark anthology that is no longer available. I never got to read the anthology, but I was able to get my hands on Abigail Owen’s novella. I do want to cite the other author’s stories:

  • Christmas In Atlantis by Alyssa Day
  • Bewitched Before Christmas by Nina Croft
  • The Lone Wolf’s Wish by Lisa Kessler
  • Shifting Seasons by Sheryl Nantus
  • Bewitch You A Merry Christmas by Juliette Cross

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I love Abigail Owen’s writing, so I was super excited to see she had a Christmas novella I had not read. I have read most of her books and I loved them. Her writing style is a perfect fit for me, and I was not disappointed with The Wolf I Want For Christmas.

Shyla has not seen Cade since he left town ten years ago…and now he’s knocking on her door. They’ve both changed a lot, grown up into a couple of pretty impressive packages. I thought it was hilarious that she is allergic to dogs…because he’s a werewolf. LOL

He knows she’s his mate, but she doesn’t…

The Wolf I Want For Christmas by Abigail Owen may be short and sweet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some issues to overcome, especially the fight for becoming the alpha of the pack…oh, and taking her as his mate.

I smiled and laughed my way through The Wolf I Want For Christmas, ending with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a happy ever after.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Cade Campbell has spent ten years in hiding, preparing to return to his small town, the pack his uncle stole from him…and the mate who doesn’t know she’s been waiting for him. When he shows up on Shyla’s doorstep a few days before Christmas he discovers the sweet, quiet girl he grew up with is all woman. The problem is she’s become a loner, is obsessively neat, and allergic to dogs. Bad news for this wolf. Still, Cade’s not giving up on her or on taking his rightful place as alpha. Maybe this year Santa could finally get things right.

Christmas After Dark anthology

  • Genre: Christmas, Fantasy, Novella, Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Supernatural
  • 86 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published November 15, 2019

ABOUT ABIGAIL OWEN

Multi–award-winning paranormal romance author, Abigail Owen, loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, alpha heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of sexy shifters! Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocoholic. Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it. Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero (who she totally married!) and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.  

Website & Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Bookbub

MY REVIEWS FOR ABIGAIL OWEN

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Review – Killer Dead Victim Alive by Michael Geczi @MichaelGeczi

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Amazon / Kindle Umlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I jumped between a three and a four rating for Killer Dead Victim Alive by Michael Geczi. I love serial killers…I mean reading about serial killers. But, that’s not all that drew me to the novel. A good title and the tropical content of the cover spoke to me.

We are on the beach near Santa Monica Pier and what do I spy? Why it’s Keith John Victor, serial killer. What??????

Mollie Granger and Greg Nichols, detectives in the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Santa Monica Police Department are on the case. Keith Victor had killed six people and a missing person, Chrissy Weeks, is attributed to him. Is she deal or alive? We shall see. And we do. She walks into the police department with a story that won’t hold water.

Mollie is hard working, has sharp instincts and is always asking questions. I loved this description from a colleague:

….her pupils were shaped like question marks because her eyes always “”looked like they wanted to now more.”

Her significant other, Gwen Seward, is an African America lawyer specializing in civil rights, while Mollie is a white police officer. Not only are they gay, but they will have to deal with racial differences and how they look at life. Many of Gwen’s clients have been profiled by police and the question remains…are the guilty or innocent?

The biggest question…who killed the serial killer? I quickly discovered who, but the motive remained hidden and I loved how Michael Geczi led me to the answer, step by step.

K J…hmmm. I wonder what part she plays in the abduction of the women and Chrissy. Her super power is being invisible, blending into the scenery, living in the shadows. How sad. Life has not been kind to K J and neither is Michael Geczi.

I love how some criminals think they are smarter than those out to catch them and I’m not sure what narcissistic game Chrissy is playing.

Funny what a small world we live in, with lines crisscrossing our lives, woven into a pattern not easily seen. Was it fate or Karma that brought Keith and Chrissy together?

Killer Dead Victim Alive by Michael Geczi was a wild ride. We got, not just one dysfunctional, dangerous villain, but two. Even when I think I know what’s going on Michael manages to pull a surprise out of his hat.

I didn’t get my hand on the first book in this series of books about serial killers, The Deadly Samaritan, but I hope to be there for the next one. Michael Geczi left the surprise ending open and I love it, so maybe….things are not always as they seem and our time in Santa Monica is not over.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

“Killer Dead, Victim Alive””If you’re a fan of Freida McFadden, David Baldacci, or Harlan Coben, you’ll find this book captivating and imaginative.”

The serial killer is dead; the expected seventh victim is alive, and the Santa Monica detectives and the FBI agents are shaking their heads.“Who-done-it” meets “why-done-it.” The A twisty mystery, spiked with psychological and cultural implications, all playing out in sun-drenched Santa Monica.Police Detectives Mollie Granger and Greg Nichols respond to a call near the world-famous pier. A dead male, shot in the forehead at close range, is posed in the sand. He’s Keith Victor, a serial killer who’s murdered six persons and kidnapped a possible seventh, Chrissy Weeks.Meanwhile, six miles away, Weeks walks into a police station, says, “I think you’ve been looking for me,” and claims Victor dropped her off outside an hour earlier. Quite the trick, given the coroner says Victor’s been dead for thirty-six hours. Weeks, a narcissist with a complex backstory, views most people as chess pieces to be played. And she’s playing at mega speed, even though her never-ending lies and moves – some of which backfire – quickly turn her into a suspect from a victim.The case comes at a difficult time for Granger, a middle-class white cop having relationship problems with Gwen Seward, a wealthy African-American civil rights attorney. They’ve drifted apart since the George Floyd murder shined a bright light on their differences and challenges. They’ve even tabled plans for marriage and kids.Granger focuses on Weeks even as she and Seward attempt to repair their relationship. In the process, the detective learns that families, love, truth, and understanding overcome personal and professional challenges and bring unexpected second chances.

  • Genre: Fiction, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller
  • 281 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published November 17, 2023 by Tierra Buena Publishing

ABOUT MICHAEL GECZI (from Amazon)

Former Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Associated Press and Dallas Morning News writer and editor; Wall Street executive; best-selling author; communications/crisis consultant and university instructor (University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism). Also author of Futures: The Anti-Inflation Investment. Lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife, Lisa.

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Short But Packs A Punch – A Day In the Life by Andrew Masseurs #AndrewMasseurs

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

A Day In the Life by Andrew Masseurs is one of those books that is very hard to review without spoiling any of the goodies inside. At only 86 pages, it packs a wicked punch.

I love apocalyptic novels, and Andrew Masseurs’ debut novella has Michael awakening to a desolate world where he is the only survivor. As he searches for his wife and daughter, he finds he is not alone after all. Each day passes with more strange and dangerous creatures making an appearance and I wondered how in the world Andrew Masseurs would wrap this up.

I was swept away by the story and had more than one OH NO moment that left me devastated. I felt like weeping with Michael and wondered how he would pick himself up and make it through another day. The ending…

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Michael awakens to a world where everyone has disappeared. Not only must he come to grips with the sudden loss of his family, but he must also survive in a changing, overgrown, dangerous world filled with new predatory creatures. A Day in the Life for a man on the edge.

  • Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
  • 86 pages, Paperback
  • Published November 10, 2023 by Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
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A Must Read Political Fantasy – A Seat For The Rabble by Ryan Shuette @RyanMarcS

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I love maps, and we have a few in A Seat For The Rabble by Ryan Shuette. Look at this beauty and enter his world of political fantasy. We also have illustrations throughout. I love the intriguing cover, which was taken from an original piece of art work created for the cover by Ted Nasmith, one of the world’s top three Lord of the Rings artists. it’s Sara Sothron, one of my favorite characters.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

A Seat For The Rabble by Ryan Shuette is fantasy that deals with political upheaval, civil liberty, despotism and climate change. We have ordinary men and women, kings and lords, merpeople, griffons, and dragons. We have slaughter and betrayal around every corner. There are the haves and have nots and greed will strip them of everything, even their children. The cities are filled with filth, death and degradation.

The crux of the story is the death of the king, leaving the kingdom with no heir. Jason Warchild, had been cast out of the royal family and now he is back, doing his best to prevent war and claim the crown.

I love the wonderful maps in the beginning of the book and illustrations scattered throughout the book. They always add that something extra for me.

Zur became one of my favorites as soon as I met him. Sara Sothron is another character I have my eye on. She is a child, one of the have nots, with a feisty attitude. Children are outspoken, honest and mimic others. Will it be her downfall? Or carry her through to something more? Of course, the star of the show, to me, is Princess Lorana. She runs the kingdom, under her father, even though there has not been a queen in many years. She is in love with her servant and friend, Anyasha, a woman. I love a character that doesn’t follow the norms. What would happen if it was known? She does not back down when put to the test. The Mad Lady is a badass.

Not all the characters I have come to care about will survive and I do like an author who isn’t afraid to kill off a character if it contributes to the story.

The religious despots are savage and corrupted, hypocrites.

So much death for the sake of death. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason, just brutality, torture and death, cruelty for cruelty’s sake, I believe, for their own enjoyment. I think there are a lot of psychopaths among those with power.

The Prophecy: The faithful believe the last true heir would rise, ascend the Silver Throne, and unite the thirteen realms.

I had so many Oh My God, WTF moments. The writing for A Seat For The Rabble by Ryan Shuette is off the rails. I couldn’t stop reading and the book was quite lengthy, 5810 pages. And that’s only the first book. Thank goodness I have An End To Kings in hand.

At the end Ryan Shuette supplies an Appendix, a guide to historical events, the government, the religions, the different royal houses, the outlaws, the peasants, and the religious leaders.

The epic fantasy of Ryan’s Shuette’s made me think of Game Of Throne by George R R Martin. I never made it past the second book, never watched the movies, but I find Ryan Shuette’s writing makes it easier to follow his story. The Appendix helps tremendously, and thought it is at the end of the book, I recommend taking a glance at it before beginning. (This may bchange by the time the book is published.)

Are you looking for an unpudownable story that gets all your emotions riled up, making you want to reach into your ereader as if it is a mirror, letting you enter their world and maybe make a difference. Would you have the courage to stand against the haves?

The only reason I didn’t give it five stars, is because I spent the beginning of the book trying to figure out who was who and what was what, but that happens with an epic fantasy world like Ryan Schuette has created. Now that I have things straight, and I think one of my favorite characters, a young girl named Sara will play a bigger part, I feel An End To Kings will be a much easier read and will knock my socks off. Bring it on, Ryan.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of A Seat For The Rabble by Ryan Shuette.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

SYNOPSIS (from Ryan Shuette’s website)

Set in a world of high fantasy, A Seat for the Rabble tells the story of a kingdom on the edge of unraveling. A king dies without an heir, and in Loran, that triggers the Kingstrials, the ancient bloodsport that determines who will sit the symbolically important Silver Walls, castle of the First King. Only the king’s bastard son, Jason Warchild, can enter the Kingstrials to save his family and kingdom from a circle of rivals that includes his father’s treacherous brother, a zealot who would crush the already-beleaguered Common peasants. Helped by his uncle, the infamous traitor Evan Sinclair, Jason and his politically astute sister seek the aid of mighty lords, enlightened reformers, and anyone brave enough to back a bastard for king.

As political intrigue and bloodsport consume a venal ruling elite’s attention, the threat of rebellion grows, with a class of enlightened merchants ready to take matters into their own hands for a fairer, more just realm ruled by reason—even if it means destroying the crown the victor of the Kingstrials would wear.

Yet something else lurks on the edges, an ancient evil that would purge the world of men. It feeds on the chaos of a kingdom torn asunder by ambition, suffering, and betrayal. Only the semi-mythical Ascendant King, last heir of the First King, may contest this power, but that bloodline is lost. A boy hostage may be the key to finding the heir, the One True King of all the world, but time is short, and the nobles of Loran will have their king . . . if any survive the Trials.

ABOUT RYAN SHUETTE (from his website)

Schuette: Pronounced SHOO-tee

Hi there. I’m a writer, editor, illustrator, and resume consultant with past lives in politics, foreign aid, nonprofit management, and the lingerie industry. I’m also a reporter who’s written for National Public Radio, Al Jazeera America, and numerous other media outlets. In 2015, PBS’s NOVA recognized a feature of mine for NPR as one of its top 10 stories in science education that year.

Fun facts about me: I’ve met three presidents (including the one in the photo), written a novel, and lived and worked for a year in Uganda as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar. While in Uganda, I freelanced as a reporter, bounced around several countries, and got malaria a few times (wouldn’t recommend it). I also took a short course in international law at the University of Oxford.

I’ve started and run both a nonprofit and company, and just recently decided to make good on a few life goals by writing an original fantasy fiction novel and drawing cartoons professionally. I’ve lived and worked in Washington, D.C., and hold a master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University.

Life is short, so make sure you spend it doing something you love. Bonus points if it improves our species.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Threads: schuette.ryan

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Detective Amanda Steele – Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold @Carolyn_Arnold

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Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold is about a prom gone wrong…and it’s all down hill from there.

Detective Amanda Steel works for the Homicide Unit of the Prince William County Police Department. She stays busy with work, but I’m not sure how she would cope if she wasn’t. Sure she loves spending time with her adopted daughter, Zoe, and her significant other, Logan, but she is not one for being idle.

A call for help from her niece Ava, draws Amanda into a missing person’s case. Though it is outside her normal purview, it is the sister, Reese, of Ava’s best friend, Nadine, so she can’t say no. The shit really hits the fan when her niece, Ava, has been taken by the same man who took Reese. I saw it coming, because Ava is too smart for her own britches. She couldn’t stop investigating on her own, but she already had a target on her back.

There was one bump in the road at about 70%. I don’t see Carolyn Arnold letting that slip by and it really bugged me. Other than that, it was another intriguing mystery that kept me entertained for hours. I am looking forward to the next Detective Amanda Steele. novel.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREAD BLURB

Music from the busy dance floor echoes into the deserted room where the Prom Queen lies deadly still. A tiara rests on her soft blonde curls, but her face is frozen with fear, and her painted red lips are forever sealed shut in a silenced scream…

When Detective Amanda Steele’s niece, Ava, begs her to look for a missing schoolfriend, she immediately agrees to take on the case. Eighteen-year-old Reece left home three nights ago after fighting with her mother and hasn’t been seen since. But when the teenager’s body is discovered brutally murdered, poised dramatically at the prom venue, Amanda is devastated she didn’t save the girl in time.

Haunted by the scene, Amanda dives headfirst into the case. Chasing every lead, she is horrified when she discovers a potential key witness strangled in her own home. It soon becomes clear that the killer will stop at nothing to silence anyone who might reveal their identity. So when Ava mentions she saw someone acting strangely at the prom venue that night, Amanda’s heart stops.

And when Amanda’s worst nightmare comes true, and her beloved niece is taken, she knows that every second counts to uncover this twisted killer’s identity and bring Ava home safely. But can she crack the secrets of this killer’s deadly game before it’s too late?

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
  • 326 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published June 20, 2023 by Bookouture
  • Series: Detective Amanda Steele, Book 8

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

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Review – The Cured by David Wind & Terese Ramin @TereseRamin @david_wind

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The Cured is now The Whistleblower’s Daughter

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

WOW. The Cured smacks of realism that is truly terrifying. Nanotechnology. Weapons of mass destruction. Greed. Abuse of power. Conspiracy. Rogue government agents. The characters are to be loved and hated. I love that the characters traverse the spectrum of humanity. Those that feel entitled and let their corruption run rampant, to those who will sacrifice their life to do the right thing. The story centers around the Kira’s family. She and her brother are a genius and on the run from those who wish to use them or kill them. Jeremy, a complete stranger feels a need to help them. He had suffered a crippling loss. Will this be the road to a new life for him? I love diverse characters. We have a lesbian with a cameo part and a boy who has Asperger Syndrome and went into a deep depression when his mother died. I will surely be looking for more books by David Wind and Terese Ramin.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Dr. Kira Brockman’s father found the cure for cancer.

He was a genius. A miracle-worker. A hero.

Was.

When 4,000 patients died after Brockman’s cure, people demand answers. Now, it’s up to Kira to save her father–and his reputation. Suddenly, the man they believed was a hero is the pariah of the medical community, and his enemies won’t stop until he pays the price. Racing against time and thwarting Homeland Security and the FBI is more perilous than she ever realized. Will Kira save her father and prove his innocence—or die trying…

“THE CURED is brilliant – I couldn’t put it down. What a cracking ending –
one of the best suspense-thrillers I’ve ever read.” —Anna Jacobs, best selling
author of Heir to Greyladies and In Search of Hope

“From the first page, Wind and Ramin take you on a non-stop, life and death
race. An intricate but believable plot leads to breath stealing suspense as the
reader worries over the likable protagonists, thrown together by fate.” —
Annette Mahon, author of the St. Rose Quilting Bee Mystery Series

ABOUT DAVID WIND

International award winning author and double B.R.A.G. Honoree, David Wind, has published forty-three novels including Science Fiction, Mystery, and suspense thrillers. He lives in Florida, with his wife Bonnie. David is the past President (2020) of the Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America.

A Hybrid Traditional and Independent Author, David became an independent publisher, author, and writer in 2008 with Angels in Mourning, his ‘homage’ to the old-time private detective’s of the 50’s and the 60’s. (He used to sneak them from his parents’ night tables and read them as a young boy.) Angels is a contemporary take on the old-style noir detective and won the Amazon.com Book of the Month Reader’s Choice Award.

The first book of David’s Epic Sci-Fi Fantasy Series, Tales Of Nevaeh. Born To Magic, is an international Amazon genre Best Seller, a Kindle Review of Books finalist for Fantasy Book of the year, and winner of the Silver Award from Ireland’s Drunken Druid International Awards for Literary excellence. Over 80,000 copies of the Tales of Nevaeh series have been download. The first two books of David’s new series, (a prequel spin-off to Tales of Nevaeh) The Journals of Solomon Roth, is the story of how Roth became the Warlord of Nevaeh.

His mystery, suspense, Police procedurals, and thrillers are The Hyte Maneuver, (a Literary guild alternate selection); The Sokova Convention, The Morrisy Manifest, Out of the Shadows, and, Desperately Killing Suzanne. He wrote the Medical Thriller, The Whistleblower’s Daughter, with Terese Ramin. The idea for this Medical Legal Thriller came shortly after the death of a close friend. David said, “I couldn’t help but wonder about the medication….”

David’s Contemporary Fiction novel, published in December of 2017, and based on the Harry Chapin Song, A Better Place To Be, received the Bronze Award for Literary Excellence, from Ireland’s prestigious DD International Awards; A Better Place To Be was named a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree, signifying a book of the highest literary quality and written by Independent writers.

David wrote his first nonfiction book, The Indie Writer’s Handbook, to help authors who have completed their manuscripts and want to publish Independently, navigate the online publishing experience. The Indie Writer’s Handbook was David’s second book to be awarded the B.R.A.G. Medallion for literary excellence.

David’s novels have been translated into 11 languages and published in 15 countries.
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ABOUT TERESE RAMIN (from Amazon)

Terese (Daly) Ramin (1953- ) is the oldest of eight children and mother of two. Much of Terese’s work grew out of staying up well past the bedtime imposed by her parents and telling stories to her younger brothers and sisters.

A brush with mortality made her pull up her socks and finish her first novel in 1987. It won the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award that same year. Since then, she is the author of ten romance and romantic suspense novels, numerous short stories, and the creator/editor/author of the charitable collaboration Bewitched, Bothered & BeVampyred.

With author David Wind, she co-wrote the medical-legal thriller The Whistleblower’s Daughter.

July 9, 2019 will see the release of her first urban fantasy romance, Soul Keeper (Book 1 of The Brotherhood of Shadows), co-written with Dawn Johanson under the name Cathryn Marr.

Terese has spent a lifetime rescuing the dogs and cats (and the occasional reptile and amphibian) that turn up on her doorstep swearing they only followed the signs that said “free love here.” She is positive she never posted those signs. She currently resides in Michigan with her husband and 4 dogs.

MY DAVID WIND REVIEWS

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