It all began in the year 2030, when a virus rendered more than a billion people blind. Genetic engineering brought sight back to the people, but a price will be paid. I love when an author fills in the highlights from the previous book, so if The Price Of Rebellion is your first book by Michael C Bland, you will not be lost, though I definitely recommend beginning with The Price Of Safety.
Dray Quintero is labelled an enemy of the state. He created something he thought would benefit mankind, but we all know how things can be twisted and corrupted.
The core group of characters, Dray, Raven, Jex and Senn, have come to feel like family to me, but the peripheral characters are vital to the story. The all have their part to play.
There is so much action, so many tragic moments, that I couldn’t stop reading. The technology is truly frightening and makes me wonder…could this be our future? Genetic engineering, robotics, the environment, and the need for power. Looking at current events, we all know how power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
We end the book by finding out what happened to Talia…who was the most tragic part of the first book, for me. She was a child genius, with the courage to put herself in the line of fire. I was heartbroken when she died and the quote below gives you a hint as to why she was such a favorite character of mine. She is in fourth grade:
“Your daughter argued with the teacher,” the principal announced.
“She was pandering to me,” Talia said.
“Do you even now what that word means?: the man asked.
Talia looked up at me with her big brown eyes, “My god. It’s an epidemic.”
Her dad may have needed to hold in his laughter, but not me.
OMG!!!!!!! What a cliffhanger ending. I don’t know whether to congratulate Michael or throw my ereader through the wall!!!!!!! He tells me the wait for this book was because of the pandemic and he thinks it created an even darker book. Okay, I want to thank him for that, because the things he puts his characters through are tragic and inspiring at the same time. He, also, tells me the twists and turns, and horrors and sorrows, will be worth it in the end. I am counting on it.
I can’t think of anything I would change, other than to make it one book and give it to me all at once. That would make one gigantic book and I would be lost for days.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Price Of Rebellion by Michael C Bland.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
BEST SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL OF THE YEAR – Indies Today (2022) BRONZE MEDAL – SCIENCE FICTION – Readers’ Favorite (2023) MEDALIST – DYSTOPIAN FICTION – The BookFest (3rd place, Fall, 2023)
It’s 2047. Secrets have been revealed. And Washington wants revenge.
Dray Quintero learned an ugly truth: the leaders in D.C. are fake. They’ve stolen the identities of those elected to Congress and are determined to stay in power, using his own technology against him and the rest of the population.
After revealing the dangers of their mandated implants to his fellow citizens, and calling on everyone to rise up, Dray joins the already-underway rebellion. But his joining is as much to free the U.S. as it is to avenge his daughter’s death. Before he can strike, The Agency attacks with devastating consequences. Dray and the other survivors are forced to run as Agents hunt them.
Then Dray makes a discovery that could change the nation.
As he and the rebels prepare a bold offensive, his wife, Mina, broadcasts a preposterous claim. He’s forced to choose between the rebellion and a desperate hope. Between family and country.
What he does will change everything.
The Price of Rebellion is the action-packed second installment of The Price Of series from multiple-award-winning author 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.
I quickly discovered why To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee has become a classic and won the Pulitzer Prize. I was immersed in the struggles of a lawyer, a widowed father, raising two young children, while defending a black man charged with raping a white girl.
All the darkness of the times came through the story, racism, classism, and violence in the Deep South during the 1930s. My disgust and anger brought a tear or two to my eye.
Scout, an eight year old girl had me in stitches. Her older brother, Jem, matures as the story develops.
I was smiling and laughing at their thoughts, their innocence, and their vivid imaginations.
“Maybe he died and they stuffed him up the chimney.”
The sophistication of the writing stands the test of time!
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
‘Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’
A lawyer’s advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee’s classic novel – a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina of one man’s struggle for justice. But the weight of history will only tolerate so much.
Genre: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Harper Lee, known as Nelle, was born in the Alabama town of Monroeville, the youngest of four children of Amasa Coleman Lee and Frances Cunningham Finch Lee. Her father, a former newspaper editor and proprietor, was a lawyer who served on the state legislature from 1926 to 1938. As a child, Lee was a tomboy and a precocious reader, and enjoyed the friendship of her schoolmate and neighbor, the young Truman Capote.
After graduating from high school in Monroeville, Lee enrolled at the all-female Huntingdon College in Montgomery (1944-45), and then pursued a law degree at the University of Alabama (1945-50), pledging the Chi Omega sorority. While there, she wrote for several student publications and spent a year as editor of the campus humor magazine, “Ramma-Jamma”. Though she did not complete the law degree, she studied for a summer in Oxford, England, before moving to New York in 1950, where she worked as a reservation clerk with Eastern Air Lines and BOAC.
Lee continued as a reservation clerk until the late 50s, when she devoted herself to writing. She lived a frugal life, traveling between her cold-water-only apartment in New York to her family home in Alabama to care for her father.
Having written several long stories, Harper Lee located an agent in November 1956. The following month at the East 50th townhouse of her friends Michael Brown and Joy Williams Brown, she received a gift of a year’s wages with a note: “You have one year off from your job to write whatever you please. Merry Christmas.”
Within a year, she had a first draft. Working with J. B. Lippincott & Co. editor Tay Hohoff, she completed To Kill a Mockingbird in the summer of 1959. Published July 11, 1960, the novel was an immediate bestseller and won great critical acclaim, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961. It remains a bestseller with more than 30 million copies in print. In 1999, it was voted “Best Novel of the Century” in a poll by the Library .
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.
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.
Book Title: Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®, Vol. 1 by Pam Gittleman Category: Children’s Fiction (ages 2 to 5), 46 pages Genre: Children’s Picture Book Publisher: Mascot Kids, an imprint of Amplify Publishing Group Release date: Oct 3, 2023 Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.
MY REVIEW
The thick, shiny pages of For Kinder Times by Pam Gittleman calls out to the children to be touched. Each rhyming fairy tale has been tweaked and includes the three kind mice, with questions and emoticons at the end of them. I love interactive books that ask the child to participate, making them feel as if they are part of the story. The Kinder Times shows how easy it is to be kind to others, no matter where you are.
5 Stars
Book Description:
What happens when Three KIND Mice put their heads (and bodies!) together to get some cheese on top of the counter? Will Humpty Dumpty be left in pieces when his friends notice that he’s fallen off the wall? And who will get bags of wool–and toys and books–from Baa Baa BRIGHT Sheep? Read all about the beloved characters from traditional nursery rhymes in this endearing collection of eight updated rhymes that nurture kindness, empathy and gratitude!
Pam has been an early childhood music educator for over twenty-five years with a passion for singing, rhyming, reading stories, and making music with preschoolers.
When Pam noticed that some children seemed unfamiliar with traditional nursery rhymes, and that parents and teachers were avoiding them because of their outdated, dark, and inappropriate nature, she set out to modernize them. Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times® provides a memorable way to build language, musicality, and literacy through songs, stories and rhymes that nurture kindness, empathy, and gratitude. The inclusion of resources that support social and emotional learning (SEL) make it easy for parents and teachers to engage with the children they love.
The rhymes in the book can also be enjoyed as songs on the Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Timesalbum recorded by Raffi and Lindsay Munroe, as well as in videos on theNursery Rhymes for Kinder Times® Show on YouTube. (www.linktr.ee.com/forkindertimes)
Aside from making music with young children, Pam loves dogs and dark chocolate. She lives in New York with her husband, and loves when her children, grandchildren, and granddogs come to visit!
Pam collaborated with Dan and Catherine Markowitz for art and design of the book.
Book Title: And the Trees Talked Back by Frederick J. Burns Category: Children’s Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 48 pages Genre: Children’s Book Publisher: Frederick J. Burns Release date: Nov 4, 2023 Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.
MY REVIEW
All I had to do was see the cover, read the title and know that I had to have this book. I love everything to do with trees, whether naked, clothed, or anything in between.
This oversized book, with wonderful illustrations, and a young girl who can talk to trees is sure to spark the young ones imaginations. Like seeing shapes in clouds, she sees faces in trees. I have seen things in trees too. Amanda has a huge heart and capacity for empathy. I smiled through the entire book and cannot imagine a child not enjoying this wonderful, magical adventure with Amanda.
5 Stars
Book Description:
Meet Amanda, an extraordinary child with a unique gift — she can talk to trees.
Living in a quaint village with a mystical forest, Amanda’s life takes an enchanting turn when she seeks out her inquisitive cat, Daisy. As the sun sets and the moonlight casts its glow, the duo embark on a thrilling night-time adventure.
As Amanda encounters ancient trees, she uncovers a world she never knew existed, where wisdom and acceptance coexist with fear and hatred. Amidst the rustling leaves and haunting shadows, she confronts the duality of nature, discovering the true meaning of good and evil. Her bonds with nature deepen and she learns to navigate the world where choices shape destinies.
And The Trees Talked Back is a heartwarming tale of wonder, friendship, and self-discover that will captivate readers of all ages.
Burns, always an artist on the inside, breaks through his trial attorney exterior at age 63, to write and illustrate his first children’s book, AND THE TREES TALKED BACK. Three years in the making, Burns strives to convey a world where commonalities are more important than differences, where empathy is more important than distain and where making friends is more important than creating enemies. With no formal art training, Burns enjoys working in and learning new mediums and styles. His art has won awards in juried competitions, been displayed on billboards, in government offices, the D’Amour Museum of Fine Art, and now graces the cover of Dave Brinnel’s second CD, ALONE. His detailed illustrations of trees using pen and ink with washes of watercolor have been compared to the fantastical illustrations of Arthur Rackham and Maurice Sendak. Burns lives in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts with his wife, Heather and two dogs, where he is developing ideas for his next book.
Book Title: The Dolphin Dentist: No Sharks Allowed by Cheryl DaVeiga Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 44 pages Genre: Children’s Picture Book Publisher: Waterhole Productions LLC Release date: November, 2023 Content Rating: G. This children’s book is for everyone.
MY REVIEW
As soon as I saw The Dolphin Dentists by Cheryl DaVeiga, I had to have it. I love anything to do with marine life, oceans and seas. The illustrations are vibrant and amusing, sure to catch the eye of a child of any age. The characters are fun and endearing. Even a great white shark can be afraid of something. And who does like going to the dentist? Not me. What is the dentist afraid of? Sharks.
It is poetically written, with a rhythm that is easy to read along to. I had a smile on my face all the way through. I cannot imagine a child not being enchanted by The Dolphin Dentist. I sure was. I loved it and it will help a child (or all of us) realize, we are all afraid of something, but to face it before it becomes an even bigger problem, is the best solution. I give it five shining stars.
5 Stars
Book Description:
COMING SOON! A “Fin-tastic” adventure Like No Other!
Fearless Flossy, a mighty great white shark, has a secret—she’s terrified of going to the dentist. Dr. Dribble, the big-hearted dolphin dentist, has a jaw-dropping fear of his own, and a strict “No Sharks Allowed” policy. When Fearless Flossy makes an unannounced visit to Dr. Dribble’s office, it’s the start of an underwater adventure like no other! This ‘fin-tastic’ story is must-read for kids and parents alike. Young readers will be immersed in a tale of courage, compassion, and conquering fear, while giggling and cheering for these unlikely friends along the way.
Cheryl DaVeiga is an award-winning children’s book author and singer/songwriter residing in New Jersey. After a career in business, Cheryl’s passion for music caught up with her, and she began writing and recording children’s songs as her alter ego, CADi Grace. She then moved on to adult songs, including an ASCAP award-winning veteran’s anthem, the featured song for the State of Alabama Bicentennial Celebration, the theme song to the philanthropic Where Angels Play Foundation, and a NJ Arts’ pick for top NJ summer songs. She’s also written songs for artists on critically acclaimed albums.
You can find her books and animated sing-along song videos on her website for kids and kid-lovers– BiffBamBooza.com.
Biff Bam Booza books have received numerous awards and acclaim, including Mom’s Choice Gold, Purple Dragonfly, Eric Hoffer, and Literary Titan book awards, a Readers’ Favorite 5-star rating, and a Kirkus Review Magazine feature.
Cheryl lives in Tucson, Arizona, and spends summers in her native New Jersey.
I love a book that can get all my emotions roiling and Puja Guha did just that with Ahriman. From gut wrenching sorrow, to savage torture, to a love that will break all the rules, I was hooked from beginning to end.
We start off with a late night call and Kasem races to meet Lila. And, we begin the story of Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction.
We will travel from New York to Kuwait.
Years later, Petra is awakened by an early morning call, cutting short her vacation.
We are in Kuwait. Their is political unrest. There are those that are pushing for Sharia law, wanting to role back any progress they have gained, but the Emir has other ideas. Seeing what is happening in the world today, we all know that is a possibility.
May 15, 2021, is a date that will change the face of the Middle East forever, or will it? What is the plan? Can it be stopped?
Petra had retired from active field duty, but she was the only agent suitable for the job. She has struggled with PTSD and I wonder what happened to cause it. Her career hinges on her decision. They are, more or less, blackmailing her into doing it. And, she will be on her own. It makes me wonder how these undercover operations work in real life. The Agency is a swift action oriented organization that members around the world agreed to. It allows for action without all the oversight and approvals that other organizations may require.
Petra has an incentive to come home from this mission. She has a significant other, Grant, who is also an agent, and though she hasn’t said those three little words, he has. His specialty is IT, and it will come in handy.
We travel from the past to the present and back again as Puja Guha fills in all the blanks and keeps us informed of current events. Terrorism. Betrayal from your own always cuts the deepest. Tragic terrorist actions will change Kasem and Petra’s lives forever.
Kasem didn’t deserve the hand he was dealt. I feel so bad for him and I don’t see a good ending for him. Will Lila ever know the truth? Will Kasem?
General Mayed…evil…I hope he gets taken down in a brutal, savage way. Do unto others should apply to him.
Puja Guha has written a realistic novel of terrorism, betrayal, and love. The manipulation and psychological torture was so real. Ahriman is the story of the creation of an assassin. In the spy game, we have to watch out for those rogue elements that can change history. It makes me wonder how an intelligence agency can keep track of all the double crosses and convoluted ‘missions’ among so many players.
This amazing debut novel brings to mind a suspense series that I have been following for years, the Leine Basso series by D V Berkom. A lone woman agent is sent in to stop a terrorist action that will reverberate around the world. I can’t think of a thing I would change about Ahriman and I never figured out all the double crosses, betrayals, and the ending. There will be more and I can hardly wait to find out what happens next.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
“Like Grisham and Clancy… this title shines among the genre simply though superb storytelling.” -The US Review of Books
The Day of the Jackal meets Syriana in the near future.
When the CIA intercepts intelligence on a terrorist attack in Kuwait, Petra Shirazi, a former field agent, comes face to face with the Ahriman, one of Iran’s deadliest assassins.
It was the year when global economies continued to plummet despite analysts’ predictions of a turnaround. It was the year when the Kuwaiti National Assembly consisted of the largest Islamic contingent in more than two decades. It was the month when the price of oil plunged to twenty dollars a barrel. It was the month when the Emir of Kuwait dissolved the National Assembly for the thirteenth time in fifteen years. It was the day when the head of the Islamic majority of the Assembly hired an assassin and the CIA intercepted intelligence about a new wave of terrorist attacks. It was the day that would change the face of the Middle East forever.
It was May 15, 2021.
After a disastrous mission forces her out of the field, Petra Shirazi retires from a life of espionage to work in a research position. Three years later, her division stumbles upon a money trail that reveals a massive new wave of terrorist attacks. The money trail places her in the midst of an assassination plot that implicates the highest levels of the Kuwaiti and Iranian governments. Petra will find herself face to face with the Ahriman, a man named for the Persian spirit of destruction who is responsible for a series of bomb blasts that paralyzed the Suez Canal two years earlier. As the investigation begins to unravel, the ripple effects threaten to engulf not only the Middle East and its Western allies, but also the darkest secrets of Petra’s past.
Puja Guha draws upon her experiences from traveling and living around the world in her writing. She has lived in Kuwait, Toronto, Paris, London, and several American cities including New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco. Each of these places and many more show up in her writing as her travel to places such as Mozambique, South Africa, Vietnam, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Guinea-Bissau inspire more and more story ideas. She also uses her experience working in international finance and development with the World Bank and Oliver Wyman to delve into global political themes in both her thrillers and literary fiction.
She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with work experience in finance and health care consulting, along with master’s degrees in public policy from London School of Economics and Sciences Po. She has published two books, international spy thriller AHRIMAN: THE SPIRIT OF DESTRUCTION and literary fiction piece THE CONFLUENCE.
I love that quote from the book and Sara is spot on. She knows a jerk when she sees one, and she has seen plenty of them. Sara works for The Agency, or she did until a mission went wrong. Terribly wrong. It left her scarred, inside and out. Because of that, they had let her go, but does a shadow agency ever let anyone go?
Psychic groups collide when Sara meets Beckett, a stiff English professor, and it is discovered that she has immunity to being read. Beckett, well, when push comes to shove, his love and loyalty will shine…BUT it will be a rough road to get there.
Hollie Smurthwaite’s vivid descriptions bring the characters to life. I can see them through her words, feel their emotions, join in their fight for life and love.
I met Sara in The Color Of Betrayal, Jolene and Cass’s story. Sara is a diverse character, suffering from dyslexia. She is vivacious, has a snappy wit, and people are drawn to her beauty. She trusts no one, except, possibly, Jolene, Cass and Kiera, but they have not seen each other for years. She does not want to take her troubles to their door, so she tries to handle the situation on her own. As the danger rises and betrayals take her down, I fear for her. The tension and pacing pick up, making me flip the pages…rapidly.
I love when Sara brings Ren into the story. Ren has a level of innocence that makes me want to shelter her, protect her. I love when Sara brings a level of fun and companionship to the others in the group.
I have had my eye on one character in particular, waiting for him to show his ugly side. When he does…Hollie creates a twist that had me smiling. I love when an author throws something totally unexpected my way.
I wouldn’t change a thing about The Color Of Shame by Hollie Smurthwaite. My question is: Will Ren get her own story? The series could end here and I would be satisfied, but when a find a fascinating character, I want more. I want them to have their happy ever after.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
When her immunity to psychics is discovered, Sara is sucked back into spying for the criminal organization she was poised to escape.
The worst scars are hidden . . .
For years, Sara served the shadowy Agency, until a mission gone wrong left her physically and emotionally wounded. Haunted by these scars, Sara is counting down the days to her reconstructive surgery, the final step towards freedom from the Agency’s clutches.
Just as she’s close to escaping, Sara’s path crosses with Beckett, an uptight English professor with the uncanny ability to delve into people’s minds with a mere touch.
Anyone’s mind except Sara’s.
Unbeknownst to her, Beckett is a member of a clandestine society of memory magicians, and he sees in Sara the perfect instrument to catapult his career within their ranks.
Sara and Beckett clash fiercely, both determined to follow their own paths. But the Agency’s grip on Sara is tighter than she realized, and they give her one more assignment: work for Beckett and his program to help budding memory magicians. And report back all the details.
While forced to work side by side, Sara and Beckett soon discover that first impressions can be misleading, and animosity can transform into an intoxicating mix of frustration and fascination.
As the lines blur between loyalty and self-preservation, Sara finds herself torn between protecting Beckett and his students or safeguarding her own precarious freedom.
Will Sara’s immunity be her salvation or her downfall? Can she navigate the treacherous landscape of spies and memory magic while protecting her heart?
Hollie Smurthwaite is a paranormal romantic suspense author of The Color of Trauma and The Color of Betrayal. The Color of Trauma was the winner of the 2020 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project in adult fiction. She lives in Chicago with her husband, son, and too few pets. In past lives, she’s been a checkout clerk, massage therapist, office manager, recruiter, magazine staff writer, pepper spray hawker, and belly dancer.
I am blown away by this epic saga, The Vitruvian Heir by L S Kilroy, When I read she had no intention of making this a series, I was so surprised. I guess the characters kept talking, telling her they had a lot more to say, and boy do they ever.
The political intrigue and betrayals had my head spinning. The world grew larger, new characters made an appearance and I was lost, reveling in the treachery. I don’t know who to trust and I hope Lorana is up to the task. She really doesn’t have much of a choice, fate or destiny be damned.
Stepping back in time to the 1800s is sickening. No women’s rights. Child slavery…To think there are those that want to keep it that way shows their fear. That to keep control, they have to step on the neck of the peasants…and anyone else that gets in the way of what they want.
How far is too far when trying to save a people?
I love that the characters are individuals, walking to the beat of their own drum in their personal life, yet stepping outside themselves, willing to sacrifice their life in the service of what they feel is right.
I am able to compare the events in The Vitruvian Heir to our own current events and see TOO MANY similarities. I love when I find novels that speak to me on a personal level, opening my eyes to possibilities, good and bad, in fiction and reality. I am so invested in the characters. I fear when they fear. I weep when they weep. I love when they love.
I read for hours, not wanting to quit…for anything…I can hardly wait to see what comes next.
At the end are Book Club Discussion questions.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
“Once again, Kilroy has swept us right off our feet and into the richly imagined world of Vitruvia. This second installment of the series is positively dripping with palace intrigues, unforgettable new characters, and masterful world-building. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to step inside a truly magical imagination, just pick up this series, turn the pages, and get wildly, deliciously lost.”
– E.E. HOLMES, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE GATEWAY TRILOGY , THE GATEWAY TRACKERS SERIES , AND THE RIFTMAGIC SAGA “If you find yourself attracted to a villain, it doesn’t mean that you are one.” With the fate of Vitruvia resting in her hands, young Lore has decisions to make. And one of her first is to strike up a deal with none other than Ursula, her former mentor and current prisoner. Now that the country has once again made contact beyond its borders, the fledgling empress finds herself invited to an annual summit in Orsia where she’ll take her place among the world’s most powerful leaders. But what awaits her there is far more dangerous than anything even Ursula can prepare her for – or Avery can protect her from. Meanwhile, back in Vitruvia, Sawyer and the formidable vigilante, Lucy Shaw, try to keep a more sinister force at bay. From faraway palaces and a mysteriously alluring foe to a traitorous uprising and fierce new allies, see what happens when a young woman steps into the role she’s both doomed and destined to play.
Series: The Vitruvian Heir, Book II, The Awakening
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.
I have read many, many books by Jane Blythe and have never been disappointed, so adding Lethal Risk to that list was a no brainer. Chock full of romance and danger, I especially loved the addition of Lolly to the mix. I love how the tension and pacing are off and running from the beginning pages. Jane Blythe’s writing fits me so well, I zip through the pages on pins and needles, stopping for some romance now and then. After all, gotta smell those roses, right?
Jane Blythe has the ability to make me believe the characters are real, with her vivid, true to life descriptions. I guess that is why she is able to draw all the feels from me. I fear for the characters, laugh with the characters and they linger long after the book is finished. She approaches each novel with a fresh outlook, often avoiding the pitfalls of romantic suspense.
We begin with the attempted abduction of Asher’s (Mouse’s) daughter, Lolly. Could this have something to do with the organization that Storm Gallagher belonged to? Just because he is no longer a threat, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a bigger plan in motion.
Mouse had only taken his eyes off his daughter for a few seconds. There are people all around, but when he looks for her, she is nowhere to be seen. I think every parent can imagine his panic and desperation. When he sees Lolly with Phoebe Lynch, he doesn’t hesitate to take her down…and their story begins.
Phoebe feels she is being watched and Mouse, along with Prey Security are at her side. No one had any idea of who her psychopathic ex boyfriend really was, but as they learn more about it, the danger rises. His obsession makes Phoebe realize he will do anything to get her back, to make her into the person he believes she should be…for him. The only way out…death.
It’s a small world, and as everything comes together, the romance begins. And Lolly…sweet, precious Lolly. I looked forward to her dialogue that put a smile on my face. Her capacity for love is as big as her personality.
“Did you have someone to hold at night?” Lolly asked.
“No, sweetie.” Lolly’s brow furrowed. “I don’t want you to be alone. Come to my room.” Lolly jumped to her feet, took Phoebe’s hand, and pulled her along after her.
“I brought Baby Kitty,” she told Asher (Mouse), pulling the stuffed animal from her bag. Lolly had insisted that since she had Mrs. Fuzzy to keep her safe at night, Phoebe had to take Baby Kitty home with her to cuddle in bed.
Damn, this woman can write. She still surprises me, when I think it is no longer possible to surprise me, because I have read so many of her books. Her words and her characters speak to me, making a home in my heart. Her stories feel so real…and she has already set the hook for the next book in the series.
Oh man, it’s a cliffhanger, but the next book is available, so, thank you Jane, no waiting.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
He already lost one woman he loves he won’t lose another.
Phoebe Lynch doesn’t want to be her boyfriend’s punching bag any longer so she runs to the other side of the country to get away from him. Lying to her family about why she’s really there, all she wants to do is find the woman she used to be before she got beaten down and lost all her self esteem. What she doesn’t want is to fall for another alpha male. Especially one who could crush her battered heart.
When Asher “Mouse” Whitman’s daughter disappears from the park he assumes the strange woman he spots her with is the culprit. Instead he learns she saved Lolly’s life. Now all he wants to do is protect her and chase away the fear in her eyes. Convincing Phoebe to give him a chance won’t be easy especially with her abusive ex still sniffing around.
But her ex is far more dangerous than any of them realize and Mouse might wind up losing not just the woman he’s falling for but his daughter as well.
If you loved USA today bestselling author Jane Blythe’s inclusions in Susan Stoker’s Operation Alpha world, you’ll be thrilled with LETHAL RISK, the second book in the Prey Alpha Team series.
Scroll up and one click to start this thrilling military romantic suspense filled with alpha heroes, tough heroines, danger, action, and love! HEA guaranteed!
USA Today bestselling author Jane Blythe writes action-packed romantic suspense and military romance featuring protective heroes and heroines who are survivors. One of Jane’s most popular series includes Saving SEALs, part of Susan Stoker’s OPERATION ALPHA world! Writing in that world alongside authors such as Janie Crouch and Riley Edwards has been a blast, and she looks forward to bringing more books to this genre, both within and outside of Stoker’s world. When Jane isn’t binge-reading she’s counting down to Christmas and adding to her 200+ teddy bear collection!
