After watching the movies, over and over again, I had to grab me a copy of Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again by Shigeru Kayama, when I had the opportunity. I didn’t even know there were novellas out there and Jeffrey Angles did a great job translating this Japanese classic into English. The stories flowed smoothly and rolled out like the movies I’ve seen. That always makes it easier to visualize the action as Godzilla leaves his devastating mark on Japan. Of course, he may never have risen, if we didn’t create nuclear weapons, and that is Shigeru Kayama’s statement against the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
I learned some of the facts that are shared in the part of the book about the author, Shigeru Kayama and the how and why of his desire to create a monster that is payback for humans disregard for the world around them. His ‘bio’ is about a third of the book, and though I found it interesting, I wanted more of Godzilla and the other creatures he comes up with.
All in all, it was worth the read and I recommend grabbing a copy for yourself. It may be a fluff piece, but it is loaded with action and a quick read. If you are a creature feature lover, like me, this is a must have. HA HA HA HA HA
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
The first English translations of the original novellas about the iconic kaijū Godzilla
Godzilla emerged from the sea to devastate Tokyo in the now-classic 1954 film, produced by Tōhō Studios and directed by Ishirō Honda, creating a global sensation and launching one of the world’s most successful movie and media franchises. Awakened and transformed by nuclear weapons testing, Godzilla serves as a terrifying metaphor for humanity’s shortsighted destructiveness: this was the intent of Shigeru Kayama, the science fiction writer who drafted the 1954 original film and its first sequel and, in 1955, published these novellas.
Although the Godzilla films have been analyzed in detail by cultural historians, film scholars, and generations of fans, Kayama’s two Godzilla novellas—both classics of Japanese young-adult science fiction—have never been available in English. This book finally provides English-speaking fans and critics the original texts with these first-ever English-language translations of Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again. The novellas reveal valuable insights into Kayama’s vision for the Godzilla story, feature plots that differ from those of the films, and clearly display the author’s strong antinuclear, proenvironmental convictions.
Kayama’s fiction depicts Godzilla as engaging in guerrilla-style warfare against humanity, which has allowed the destruction of the natural world through its irresponsible, immoral perversion of science. As human activity continues to cause mass extinctions and rapid climatic change, Godzilla provides a fable for the Anthropocene, powerfully reminding us that nature will fight back against humanity’s onslaught in unpredictable and devastating ways.
Genre: Classics, Fiction, Japanese Literature, Novella, Science Fiction
Format: 243 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication: October 3, 2023 by Univ Of Minnesota Press
I love the amazing cover for Bewitching Brews and Devilish Desserts edited by Roxanne Rhoads. I have read a lot of books, especially cozies and some vampirish novels that have recipes for food and drink. I wanted to start the Halloween season off with some suggestions for your horrolicious season.
You may even find a new or familiar author to follow, a book to read, or a favorite cocktail and dessert. They witchly delights are sure to add a little something extra to your repertoire.
Some of the authors you will find in the book that shared their devilish delights: Roxanne Rhoads,Sharon Bayiss, Ami Blackwelder, Cassandra Lawson, Susannah Sandlin, Cherrie Mack, Maggie Mundy, Suzanne Johnson, Katalina Leon, and Kay Dee Royal.
I highly recommend grabbing a copy for your collection.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Stir up a little magic from our cauldron full of cocktails and desserts.
The authors of Bewitching Book Tours conjured a collection of delicious potions inspired by their books and characters.
Grab your wand (or spoon) and cast one of these spellbinding recipes today.
Witches
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2014 by Roxanne Rhoads
ABOUT ROXANNE RHOADS
Roxanne Rhoads is an author, book publicist, mixed media crafter, and lover of all things spooky.
Roxanne is the owner of Bewitching Book Tours, a virtual book tour and social media marketing company, she operates Fang-tastic Books, a book blog dedicated to paranormal and urban fantasy books, and she runs the blog, A Bewitching Guide to All Things Halloween, which is dedicated to everything Halloween related. Roxanne’s sells handcrafted jewelry, art and home decor through Bewitching Creations.
When not reading or writing, Roxanne loves to craft, plan Halloween adventures, and search for unique vintage finds.
Book Title: Creating Stories by Hank Quense Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 106 pages Genre: Self Help, Publisher: Strange Worlds Publishing Release date: April 1, 2017 Content Rating: G
Book Description:
Do you have a story in you?
Do you know how to write it or how to tell it? Creating Stories has the answers. Hank Quense, the author of more than twenty books, tells you how to do it. He believes that stories come from the melding of three elements: getting ideas, story design and story-telling. Ideas have to come from the author. Creating Stories covers the last two. The book concentrates on developing characters including such rarely discussed requirements such as a dominant reader emotion and the character’s biography. Plots are also covered in depth and a number of graphics are included to illustrate complex points. Another topic discusses subplots and how to utilize them and how to nest them within the main plot. A separate chapter discusses the relationship between the plot and the emotional arcs. Other topics covered are: character arcs, scene design, point-of-view, writing voice.
Book Title: Self-Publish a Book in 10 Steps: And Market Itby Hank Quense Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 88 pages Genre: Self Help Publisher: Strange Worlds Publishing Release date: Dec 1, 2021 Content Rating: G
MY REVIEW
Self Publish A Book In 10 Steps by Hank Quense is a nonfiction guide to publishing and marketing your novel. I found the book easy to understand and laid out in a way that makes it easy to follow a step by step process of all the things necessary to make publishing and marketing your book a success.
Hank Quense includes charts, websites, groups, and other bits of information, where help can be found. He includes cost estimates for each step, and warnings about the pitfalls and perils of self publishing. We all know there are many out there wanting to scam you for your money, so do your due diligence.
I found Self Publish A Book IN 10 Steps by Hank Quense to be chock full of vital information and all the things necessary to market and publish your book, but that doesn’t mean you can take a pass on doing your own research. It is a daunting task, but worth the effort to make your book a success.
5 Stars
Book Description:
Self-publishing a book is difficult.
This book simplifies it by breaking down a self-publishing and marketing project into 10 steps. This step-by-step process will get your book published and initiate the pre-launch marketing.
Hank Quense has written and self-published over twenty books, both fiction and non-fiction. He is the author of the Author Blueprint Series of books. The Series concentrates on providing valuable guidance on fiction writing, self-publishing and book marketing. Self-publish a Book in 10 Steps is Book 6 in the series.
The book details such vital tasks as developing a compelling book description, building an author platform and getting book reviews to list a few.
Learn the ten-step process that will self-publish and market your book!
Hank Quense has self-published his books for over 12 years. His non-fiction books cover fiction writing (Creating Stories), self-publishing (How to Self-publish and Market a Book, Self-publish a Book in 10 Steps), marketing (Book Marketing Fundamentals) and author business (Business Basics for Authors).
He also lectures on these subjects in schools, libraries and on webinars.
Hank recently started https://hankquense.podia.com/ The site provides solutions to pain points (problems) for fiction writers, self-publishing authors and authors who are trying to market their books.
Isn’t that a beautiful cover for Unleashed by Aria Glaski. It depicts the story inside to a T, and I love it when that happens. I feel the author does the book justice by representing it as it is. Unleashed is a bit on the dark side, so adult warnings apply.
We start with a map. I love maps, referring back to them as I travel through the pages.
I have been reading Aria Glaski for a while now (See my review links below) and she writes some great books BUT I will say, Unleashed seems outside her norm, and I was surprised at how quickly I became engrossed in the story. Unleashed is by far my favorite Aria Glazki book. AND, it’s a series. It could end here, but I am so very happy it doesn’t. Oh, yeah!
It starts with a one night stand…is there such a thing with a dragon? I doooon’t think so. Who can say no to that animal attraction?
I realize it is very difficult to come up with an original idea for an oft told tale, but Aria Glazki did it. I love that the main character, Tia, has been living as a human for hundreds of years to avoid the ritual. The ritual where her and her brother would fight to the death. She won’t do it. But, what if…
Azur was determined to find her and bring her back. It is a duty she must fulfill…
Seraphina is so much more than he bargained for and he is rethinking his position, but a cow does follow the herd and he makes a mistake. She is kidnapped out from under him.
Things are not as she imagined in Azhidar Zher…and neither is her brother.
I thought it was interesting that Aria Glazki pointed out a similarity to us humans. There is a double standard, one set of rules for males and another for females. Guess who makes out the best?
Sexual tension permeates the pages and I devour the words as Azur devours Seraphina.
Sure, many things are familiar, but Aria Glazki did an amazing job bringing a fresh look into the life of dragons. It’s not all lollipops and rainbows, but it’s not all war and killing either. We always have time for some romance, right?
Aria Glazki shares her thoughts at the end of the book :
…never intended for it to become Fantasy…..I wanted to play around with dragons…Alas, such is the life of a “pantser” – the story goes where it wants…
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Unleashed, Defiant Dragons, Book I, by Aria Glazki.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
A one-night stand with the sexy new dragon in town could force her into a fight to the death. Still, worth it?
Tia’s been hiding among the humans for hundreds of years, evading her so-called birthright. But when a hot new dragon arrives in her city, she doesn’t run fast enough. The pull to be with her own kind is just too strong. Too bad the newcomer is determined to drag her back for the ritual she escaped.
Did she say “ritual”? Make that “fight to the death.”
Azar never dreamed he’d be the one to find her: the spoiled, selfish royal who doomed all the dragons. Only it turns out the Zubir’s sister is nothing like he was told. She’s fierce, shrewd, and stunning, and she throws everything he believes into question.
The one thing Azar knows without a doubt? Bringing her home is dragonkind’s only hope.
— Unleashed is a sizzling dragon shifter romance featuring a strong heroine fighting magic and politics to save a species that wants her dead. Then there’s her one-night-stand-turned-hostage, igniting all sorts of sparks she can’t ignore. Too bad even a dragon can end up burned.
Genre:
336 pages, ebook
Expected publication September 27, 2023 by Anika Press
ABOUT ARIA GLAZKI
Aria Glazki’s first kiss technically came from a bear cub. Though no fairytale transformation followed, she still believes magic can happen when the right people come together—if they don’t get in their own way, that is. So now Aria writes heartfelt romances about relatable people overcoming real-world obstacles to build love that lasts.
When I woke up this morning, I didn’t expect to be killing my father by sunset, but here we are.
That’s the first sentence of the book and the hook was set. I thought this might be a good one, but I wasn’t prepared for how good. I love the dark side of life, but if you are a bit squeamish, you might want to think twice. We have brutality, racism, rape, torture…
Lillian had had enough when she took her father’s life. She rescued the woman tied to the stake, and has been on the run ever since. I love her thought, ‘I am so sick of men sticking their penis where it isn’t welcome.’ I would think twice, if I were a man, about putting it in an unwilling woman’s mouth. Could you resist the temptation to give him a what for?
I cringed, laughed and was shocked at the the levels of depravity…and that ending… WHAT…WHAT…marvelous, simply marvelous. Roxie Vorhees doesn’t hold back. It’s a short book, at 111 pages, and you won’t want to quit once you start.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Longest Thirst by Roxie Voorhees.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
he Quick and the Dead meets Carmilla.
When Lillian killed her father, getting the blood out of her dress was the least of her worries. The young Native woman to her left would soon prove to be a blessing or a curse. Just as hope is all but evaporated on the cracked earth of the Mojave, a beacon of light beams in the center of Calico.
Born into the rigidity of classism, Lillian struggles to trust the welcoming hospitality of the town and its inhabitants. Convinced this respite is brief, Lillian prepares to return the woman to her people, and flee from her crime. Even so, Calico softens her heart and Lillian soon feels truly at home.
But a stranger gallops into Calico. His presence commands obedience and soon he finds what he is looking for, Lillian.
And they have unfinished business.
Genre: Fiction, Horror, Splatterwestern, Western
111 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 26, 2023 by Book Slayer Press
ABOUT ROXIE VOORHEES
Roxie Voorhees (she/he/they) is a tangled threesome of Gag me with a Spoon, Welcome to the Darkside, and Catch me Outside. When she isn’t writing, she is hyperfocusing on whichever of the many hobbies her ADHD demands. A California native, he resides with his service dog, Bellatrix, in Little Rock, where he refuses to use the word fixin’, battles pollen, and fantasizes of using a public bathroom without it being a political stance. They are the co-editor of MINE: An Anthology of Body Autonomy Horror published by Creature Publishing and READER BEWARE: A Fear Street Appreciation Anthology to be published October 2023, by DarkLit Press.
Roxie has come out as gender fluid! She prefers any pronouns and doesn’t mind being included in women specific lists, but asks you please note their fluidity.
“Daddy, Daddy! Can we keep him?” I could see her tugging at his shorts, begging for me like I was a puppy that she wanted for her birthday.
That put a huge smile on my face. The reason she thought he could be her gift was because he appeared as if by magic. He is a vanisher. He dies over and over and over again, only to appear in another city, in another state, on another continent, naked, with no memory.
At times, the story seemed to drag. He would die, come back, and struggle to remember who he was. Then he would die again and it would start over. After so many times, we need something else to happen…and it does when he meets Lilyanne. As he figures some things out, learns of the dangers that await him, falls in love..for the first and only time in his life. BUT…of course, one night he disappears.
I had wondered how the book would end and it took me by surprise. At times I was fascinated, at times bored, but Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev would bring me back into the story. I wanted to love it. I found it original, different, and at times intriguing. The ending…well…I was satisfied and hopeful.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Vanishing Bodies by Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Many people dream of starting over. For Adam Micah, it is an unending nightmare.
On a February morning, a naked young man grabs the New York Times from a woman eating breakfast at a sidewalk cafe, scans the obituaries, uses her revolver to shoot himself, and vanishes.
He is Aristotle Zurr-McIntyre, also known as Adam Micah. He discovers he’s a vanisher—someone who disappears when he’s killed, only to resurface elsewhere with nothing but hazy memories. An entity known only as The Wisher is hunting him, and he’s involved in a game he doesn’t understand. Sometimes they shoot him outright. Sometimes, he does it to evade them. But each time, he loses a little more of himself.
When he rematerializes in Atlanta, he meets Lilyanne and, for the first time, is shown love. In her presence, he is home, and life finally makes sense. But Lilyanne has ties to a past neither one of them knows about…one that could destroy everything.
Taking on the boundaries of science, physics, and the catastrophic consequences of immortality, Adam takes a dangerous dive into interpreting mortality, conspiracy, desperation, and his own natural need for answers.
A highly original and suspenseful science fiction thriller with a romantic twist.
Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction
407 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 26, 2023
ABOUT MOSES YURIYVICH MIKHEYEV
Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev is a Russian American novelist who studied theology and philosophy at Whitworth University before obtaining his graduate degree in theological studies from Emory University. He is the author of numerous novels, including The Hack, Vanishing Bodies, This Time Next Summer, and the fantasy children’s book Olivia & the Gentleman from Outer Space. He is currently working on his sixth novel Of All Things Sacred, a collection of poetry A Fire in the Sunset, and a collection of essays titled The End of Human. He is also an alternative rock musician recording his debut album I Only Have a Hundred Years to Love You (forthcoming 2023). He lives and loves in Los Angeles.
Book Title: Creating Stories by Hank Quense Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 106 pages Genre: Self Help, Publisher: Strange Worlds Publishing Release date: April 1, 2017 Content Rating: G
MY REVIEW
Creating Stories by Hank Quense caught my eye because I have been writing for a long time. Not a novel, or anything like that, but journals. My mind pens a story and I jot down ideas. Isn’t it the follow through that is the difficult part? Where do I even begin?
Creating Stories by Hank Qunense is chock full of everything I need to know to write that novel I feel is buried deep, deep, deep inside. LOL The biggest problem was the amount of information.
That means, taking a step by step process. Beginning at the beginning. Hank Quense gives references, graphs, maps, and his process for writing in a 150 page book. It was not a quick read, because I find myself pausing, thinking. He gave examples of his work to clarify. A bit self serving, using his books for examples, but that’s okay. I would do it too.
I read an ebook, but if I ever do decide to write that novel that is buried deep, deep, deep inside me, I will be purchasing a physical copy. I love having things at my fingertips, laid out before me so I can easily move from one thing to another, whether it’s a book, a graph, or a Castlesque workboard. I can see myself laying things out like a murder board in a crime movie or TV show. I can see myself with a swivel chair, numerous boards surrounding me, and my computer at the forefront.
I highly recommend picking up a copy of Creating Stories by Hank Quense if you are writing. A book like Hank’s is hard for me to rate, as a novice. I didn’t understand some of it. I think it was a bit over my head. So, rating this for an author that is experienced and needs to refine their craft, I think this would be a 5 Star read. For someone like me, I would rate it a 4 Star read. I would think I would grow into it if I wanted to become a full time author.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Creating Stories by Hank Quense.
.
5 Stars
Book Description:
Do you have a story in you?
Do you know how to write it or how to tell it? Creating Stories has the answers. Hank Quense, the author of more than twenty books, tells you how to do it. He believes that stories come from the melding of three elements: getting ideas, story design and story-telling. Ideas have to come from the author. Creating Stories covers the last two. The book concentrates on developing characters including such rarely discussed requirements such as a dominant reader emotion and the character’s biography. Plots are also covered in depth and a number of graphics are included to illustrate complex points. Another topic discusses subplots and how to utilize them and how to nest them within the main plot. A separate chapter discusses the relationship between the plot and the emotional arcs. Other topics covered are: character arcs, scene design, point-of-view, writing voice.
Book Title: Self-Publish a Book in 10 Steps: And Market Itby Hank Quense Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 88 pages Genre: Self Help Publisher: Strange Worlds Publishing Release date: Dec 1, 2021 Content Rating: G
Book Description:
Self-publishing a book is difficult.
This book simplifies it by breaking down a self-publishing and marketing project into 10 steps. This step-by-step process will get your book published and initiate the pre-launch marketing.
Hank Quense has written and self-published over twenty books, both fiction and non-fiction. He is the author of the Author Blueprint Series of books. The Series concentrates on providing valuable guidance on fiction writing, self-publishing and book marketing. Self-publish a Book in 10 Steps is Book 6 in the series.
The book details such vital tasks as developing a compelling book description, building an author platform and getting book reviews to list a few.
Learn the ten-step process that will self-publish and market your book!
Hank Quense has self-published his books for over 12 years. His non-fiction books cover fiction writing (Creating Stories), self-publishing (How to Self-publish and Market a Book, Self-publish a Book in 10 Steps), marketing (Book Marketing Fundamentals) and author business (Business Basics for Authors).
He also lectures on these subjects in schools, libraries and on webinars.
Hank recently started https://hankquense.podia.com/ The site provides solutions to pain points (problems) for fiction writers, self-publishing authors and authors who are trying to market their books.
“I want everyone who reads this book to become a rebel.” L S KIlroy
The Vitruvian Heir: The Unraveling (The Vitruvian Heir Trilogy, Book I) by L S Kilroy is one of those books that gets my heart pumping and my blood boiling. I love a book that gets me wound up, wanting to reach through my ereader and punch someone. LOL
We have wonderful illustrations.
L S Kilroy released an enhanced version of The Vitruvian Heir, Book I in 2020, the original was released in 2015. She made it a trilogy because current events made her characters demand it. 🙂
It may seem like we have a triangle going on, but as I read on, everything became clear and I saw the true relationship between Lore, Gideon and Fallon. It’s complicated is an apt description.
I love how L S Kilroy wove current events into her book, rolling freedoms back, making women second class citizens…or worse…Victorian standards that have people giving up any decision making they had, towing the line, becoming robots, fearing for their lives.
I had wondered if The Vitruvian Heir by L S Kilroy would be a good fit for me, but decided to give it a try. I never know where I will find that hidden gem, and I found it in The Vitruvian Heir. I quickly became involved in Lore’s life, feeling her desires and confusion. Her need to be herself. Of course, I knew she would have to be part of the rebellion, but how it would come about was the mystery.
Lore wondered how things could have went so backwards, and I think we only have to look at current events to see how. Vitruvian is what used to be the United States in 2164. Their were brutal wars, famines, illness, tornadoes, decimated crops, endless natural disasters and an emperor.
There are book discussions questions at the end and we have a fabulous epilogue that makes me eager to get my hands on Book II, The Vitruvian Heir: The Awakening.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Vitruvian Heir by L S Kilroy.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Welcome to Vitruvia.
In a nightmarish future, one girl holds the key – to rebellion. Society has regressed to Victorian standards and patriarchal dominion. Women have slowly lost their rights. And Lorelei Fetherston, an aristocrat with a forbidden talent for writing, inherits a powerful legacy that can set her free. Though running from her wedding to gentle Gideon, a childhood confidante, is a risk that may not be worth taking.
But this isn’t her only dilemma. Her heart has always been with Fallon, the brooding ward of the current emperor and heir to the Vitruvian throne, and she’s finding it harder to resist his melancholy charms.
Will she escape to carve out a new life or accept her role as a dutiful wife? When her free-spirited friend, Sawyer, comes to her one night in grave danger, Lore is forced to make a fateful choice. In the bordering nation of Hopespoke, women are free. And, according to legend, an enigmatic woman runs a squadron of lethal debutantes and is always on the lookout for new recruits.
From mysterious woodland strangers and underground clubs to spectacular fêtes and a clandestine rebellion, discover what happens when their worlds collide.
Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Steampunk
Format: 242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published: January 5, 2015 by Little Tree Press
Language: English
Series: The Vitruvian Heir Trilogy
ABOUT L S KILROY
“The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue.” – Dorothy Parker
L.S. Kilroy is an irreverent sort of person who likes to write about things. Growing up an asthmatic only child in a neighborhood of geriatrics, she made friends with books at a young age because she had to – luckily, she also really liked them. Early exposure to the classics fueled her own writing. At fifteen, a man in a bookstore asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up and she replied, “Writer,” without hesitation.
Writer is a title that has driven her both personally and professionally. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Merrimack College and a Master’s degree in Writing, Literature & Publishing from Emerson College. By day, she’s a communications professional; by night, she’s an award-winning indie author.
She lives in a rural community in Massachusetts with her husband, stepson, and three naughty cats. Aside from writing, she loves being creative in the kitchen, belting out show tunes, traveling, throwing epic dinner parties, reading, and scouting out vintage finds at consignment shops.
WOW, such an amazing cover for Afterworld: Losing Salvation by Olivia Boothe and Victoria Liiv. There is no way I could say no when Olivia asked me if I wanted to read the series. Sure, there are a lot of trigger warnings that readers need to be aware of, but I love the dark world the authors have created.
Afterworld: Losing Salvation by Olivia Boothe and Victoria Liiv is not available for purchase. It is a bonus that I received from the Olivia Boothe and is included as part of a special edition Afterworld hardcover and Renegade City anthology.
I want to thank Olivia Boothe for allowing me to get my introduction to Jax and Kate through Afterworld: Losing Salvation, a prequel. I was immediately drawn into this dark world that made me think of Supernatural and The Walking Dead. I love it!
A virus is spreading throughout the city creating zombie like creatures that can only be killed by a blow to the head or decapitation. Sound familiar? But, how they came to be…well…
I love the dog!
Everything comes full circle and we are on to the next ‘adventure’ in the Afterworld series.
EIGHTEEN MONTHS AGO, THE WORLD LEARNED THE UGLY TRUTH: GOD EXISTS. HE JUST DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT US.
Afterworld: Road To Redemption by Olivia Boothe and Victoria Liiv is Jax and Kate’s love story. It was a traumatizing meeting for her…and him…
In the beginning, we bounce between Kate’s journal and Jax’s Grimoire in the year 2031.
I love one of Kate’s first entries…out scavenging and she scores some tampons. Aunt Flow still flows, even during an apocalypse. AND, she meets Hank, a service dog who lost his master. They become hard and fast companions. As they fight the beasts, there comes a blinding light…an angel, who gives his life to save hers.
Jax sees the light, knows it’s an angel, and races to get there. It’s his only hope of getting rid of the demon, War, one of The Four Horsemen, who resides inside him. When he sees her fight, he realizes she is more than a woman.
We do have that gruesome, brutal, blood and guts going on, The Walking Dead vibe, but we also have the, sort of, lightness of Supernatural. I found myself laughing in the middle of danger. Couldn’t help myself.
I would think if there is any kind of attraction, sex would arise. After all, how often do you come across a human that doesn’t want to kill you? She found it easy to trust him, but he has yet to tell all to her and how dangerous he can be. I feel there is even a dash of Fifty Shades of Grey…some smoking hot scenes.
At 65% an amazing surprise came to light…and I loved it.
There is one scene with rats in the sewers that The Walking Dead made it so easy to visualize. Also, the movie references made me think of Denizzo on NCIS. So many things I referenced to TV shows made the book even more special because it had those familiar elements that had me smiling or cringing.
Well, I read and read and read, slept, then read and read and read. It was so hard to put the book down, but I couldn’t get it read in one sitting. The pace and danger kept rising, the suspense off the charts, the action so fast paced near the end I was shouting out loud…NO, NO, NO…I was so fearful, but…well…all I can say is, if you love the dark side of paranormal romance, some Supernatural, some Walking Dead, some angels and demons, the Four Horsement of the Apocalypse…..this is a must read.
The story does end with a happy ever after, but there is more to come and I can hardly wait to begin. Bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Afterworld: Road To Redemption by Olivia Boothe & Victoria Liiv.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
EIGHTEEN MONTHS AGO, THE WORLD LEARNED THE UGLY TRUTH: GOD EXISTS. HE JUST DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT US.
After a deadly virus wipes out most of the world’s population, those of us who survive are left as food for the Damned, the walking corpses ravaged by the infection.
Yet, something far more sinister stirs in the bowels of New York City. The Four Horsemen are prowling the streets, kidnapping young girls and dragging them back to their lair. And when a supply run becomes a rescue mission turned deadly, I’m left at the mercy of a sexy stranger.
Jax Constantine weaves himself into my life with blood tingling charisma and a smile that rekindles my hope in love. But a dark secret lurks beneath his penetrating gaze and sizzling touch. One he’s not willing to share, leading me to believe he might not be the man I thought.
Now, humanity’s last stand rests in my hands. To save a world consumed by evil, I must choose between stopping Lucifer from claiming an already scorched Earth as his own or saving the man I love.
The same man destined to curse my soul.
This is a dark apocalyptic paranormal romance and is intended for audiences 18 years+.
Please see below for the full list of content/trigger warnings: Angels and demons, biblical lore, zombies, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, blood and gore, PTSD, trauma, profanity, graphic violence, explicit sexual content, and kidnappings.
Reader discretion is advised.
While Afterworld can be read as a standalone and has a resolution, this is a planned series, and the book ends with a Happily For Now.
Published: September 16, 2022 by Three Brothers Press
Language: English
Series: Hell’s Angel, Book I
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
OLIVIA BOOTHE
REAL LOVE AS IT IS. MESSY, COMPLICATED & SINFULLY ADDICTIVE.
Born in Colombia and raised in New Jersey since the age of eight, Olivia always dreamed of becoming a story teller.
If you enjoy deadly-hot romance novels with deep, layered plots, she’s your gal. Because it’s not just about the first kiss and the happily ever after, it’s about everything in between.
In addition to writing contemporary and paranormal romance, Olivia is currently working on an adult contemporary fantasy.
Fun Facts: When not locked away in her writing tower at the wee hours of the night, Olivia works a government 9-5 job and manages a house full of males (a husband, three sons, and a doggo named Hunter). On occasion, she summons her tribe for a night of wine and shenanigans. Dark chocolate is her kryptonite, she hates/loves to ugly cry during movies, and is a die-hard Bon Jovi fan.
Don’t forget to subscribe to her newsletter to receive exclusive news and updates such as book releases, giveaways, sales, events, sneak peeks and bonus material for upcoming projects.
Victoria Liiv is a writer, reader, nature lover and traveler at heart. She has been traveling through magical worlds since a very young age and wants more than anything to share the wonder with everyone else eager to escape from all things mundane. Let it be a magical adventure through slowly darkening Earth or a soul crushing fight for survival and love while the world burns. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of romance.
She self published her debut novel Through Hell & Highwater on 2020 when the pandemics keeping her isolated gave her the reason to follow her dream of becoming an author. She hasn’t looked back since. Afterworld: Road to Redemption is Victoria’s second novel. She is grateful for the opportunity to be able to co-write it with Olivia. This February 2023, she’ll also be releasing Treasure Me, a contemporary romance, as part of Tease Me box set. With many more ideas and characters keeping her awake at night this is only the beginning of her writing career.
In her everyday life she found the magic in her partner, who gave her courage to move out of Estonia, the country she was born in, to an equally small but more known The Netherlands. He was also the one who encourages and supports her throughout her writing process.
“Every citizen deserv es a Vigorous Defense in a court of law.”
Vigorous Defense by Audrey Walker introduces us to Giselle Norwood, a forensic pathologist. Her husband has passed away from an illness and she was reluctant to take the job offered her in Washington DC. This had been their home and she wasn’t sure she wanted to leave it. Until…
She is approached by Bobby Kaminski, a personal injury lawyer who is representing an alleged murderer. She has a need to blend her work with her desire for justice.
A prequel, or short story that can be devoured (as I did) in a half hour or so, has to be pretty darn good and fast paced for me to give it a high rating. Audrey Walker also added an intriguing and unusual cause of death, which I found fascinating. I am eager to read more about Giselle Norwood and to dive into her future cases.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
When the courtroom becomes a battlefield, a young forensic pathologist is determined to shine a light on the truth.
In the gripping prequel to the Giselle Norwood Mysteries, Dr. Giselle Norwood’s peaceful life takes an unexpected turn when a quirky lawyer ropes her into a murder trial. What appears to be an open-and-shut poisoning case reveals layers of deception and a battle between truth and motive, pitting Giselle in a race against time to unearth the facts before an innocent man is wrongly convicted. “Vigorous Defense” is a thrilling tale of suspense that shines the light of truth on the shadows of deceit, exposing a corrupt system of justice.
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
33 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2023
Series: Giselle Norwood
ABOUT AUDREY WALKER
Audrey Walker is a young and rising international best-selling Author in the Mystery & Suspense niche.
Walker’s books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won’t see coming.
Walker lives currently in south Germany with her husband and a newly born daughter. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her climbing up the Alps in Switzerland and walking aroung the Black Forest in south of Germany.
