I won a hardcover of The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges a long time ago and am just getting around to reading and reviewing it.
This is one of those books that is hard to rate because it is Book II and I don’t have Book I or III, so I don’t get the full story, BUT the more I read, the more I enjoyed the story and the more I became involved with the characters, wishing I would have had the entire series and read from the beginning.
3 Stars
.I won two books in the Star Canyon series, paperback novellas, by Tina Leonard.
I wasn’t expecting a lot from this quick read, because romance and ‘westerns’ are not high on my reading list, but we do have a little bit of romance and a little bit of mystery, the characters steal the show, and I would love to know more. 🙂
2 Stars
I am so glad I had Branded by Fire hanging around because with each novella I read, the more I become involved with the family, the more I wanted to know what the heck is going on, get involved in their simple romance, become a part of their tight knit family, and the more I get the know them, the more I want the mystery solved and for them to have their happy ever afters. 🙂
I am intrigued by the amazing cover, the great title and the mystery within Poisoned Lily by Nik Grybaski. The story is okay and a quick read, 72 pages. Be prepared to be transported to the past in this historical mystery. The treatment of the dead woman could be happening in real time, seeing she is unimportant to some and deserving of an investigation to others.
Leo Katz, a photographer, and Klaus Rosnbloom, a pathologist, stumble onto each other, working together to help the police solve the crime. This is a quick, yet enjoyable read that some may like more than I.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Poisoned Lily by Nik Grybaski.
2 Stars
AMAZON SYNOPSIS
Was Lily murdered, or did her sinister secret force her to take her own life?
In a room above a tavern, on the hedonistic streets of Praterstrasse Vienna, is the dead body of a kept woman.
A mysterious lady sits alone in the bar. A man exits the premises through the back door, gripping onto a cane with an amber head. A youth, clutching a bottle, stumbles down the stairs and drinks the remnants of the poison his dead lover, Lily, took just minutes before.
Was it suicide?
It’s up to photographer Leo Katz and his new friend, pathologist Klaus Rosenbloom, to solve the mystery. But how can they discover who the killer is when vicious thugs steal vital evidence and threaten their lives?
Grab you copy of this thrilling murder mystery now!
ABOUT NIK GRYBASKI
Nik Grybaski is neither real nor imaginary, existing solely in the shadows of the worlds Nik creates.
Nik is responsible for creating Leo Katz and the things that Leo gets up to when Nik is asleep.
A dabbler at most things useless but creative, Nik writes to forget…Nik has already forgotten.
I gave The Girl Who Crossed The Line by Tikiri Herath two stars and let me tell you why. Disappointment. Everything about the prequel intrigued me. From the cover to the blurb, I was drawn in. BUT, the prequel was only half the book, ending in a cliffhanger. The other half, chapters of Book I, The Girl Who Ran Away…and that, of course, left me wanting more. Soooo, I was miffed. I wouldn’t waste my time with this one. If it sounds like one for you, go for Book I, The Girl Who Ran Away.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy The Girl Who Crossed The Line by Tikiri Herath.
2 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
A reckless girl. A grave mistake. A fateful destiny.
She’s the underdog everyone loves to hate….
…then she commits a crime.
Young Asha is the outsider, the girl everyone loves to hate at school.
One day, she does the unspeakable in a desperate bid to keep a friendship.
But she doesn’t realize her misdeed has got the attention of a ruthless and powerful man who rules the dark underworld of human trafficking.
Will he let her get away with it?
Or will he entrap her too?
One thing is for sure. Asha’s grave mistake will haunt her for the rest of her life. Did you like Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo? Then, you’ll love Asha from the Red Heeled Rebels.
Begin a wild ride around the world without getting a passport or even buying an airline ticket. Get it now.
The Girl Who Crossed the Line is the prequel story to the addictive Red Heeled Rebels psychological suspense series.
*This book was formerly titled Shattered / Beginnings.
If you enjoy gripping psychological thrillers with flawed but gutsy heroines, vigilante action in exotic locales and twists that get your pulse pounding, you’ll love these books by multiple award-winning Canadian novelist, Tikiri Herath.
Tikiri Herath is the multiple award-winning author of international mystery and thriller novels.
Tikiri has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria, Canada, and a master’s degree from the Solvay Business School in Brussels, Belgium. For almost two decades, she worked in the intelligence and defense sectors, including in the Canadian Federal Government and at NATO in Europe and North America.
Tikiri’s an adrenaline junkie who has rock climbed, bungee jumped, rode on the back of a motorcycle across Quebec, flown in an acrobatic airplane upside down, and parachuted solo.
When she’s not plotting another thriller scene or planning an adrenaline-filled trip, you’ll find her baking in her kitchen with a glass of red Shiraz and vintage jazz playing in the background.
Born in Sri Lanka, Tikiri grew up in East Africa and has studied, worked, and lived in Southeast Asia, continental Europe, and North America through her adult life.
An international nomad and fifth-culture kid, she now calls Canada home.
I love the awesome cover and stories that take place on the water, in the water, or around the water. I am also a huge fan of Stephen King and Dean Koontz, so it was a no brainer to grab Look At Me by Hash Black for review. I did enjoy the story, but never connected to any characters or found myself hanging by my fingertips wondering what comes next. There are two novella/short stories that are quick, easy reads. I won’t spoil anything by telling you why you need to Look At Me, but BEWARE….
2 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
I SEE HER EVERYWHERE I GO
Cinder Bay is a rotting dump and Harry wants out. A boat ride with the richest tech genius in town and a foolproof pitch is exactly what he needs to change his life forever.
If only he knew how right he would turn out to be.
Sea and Ocean Horror stories have never been this scary! LOOK AT ME is inspired by a real traditional folklore story off the coast of East Africa.
If you enjoy reading Stephen King, Jack Ketchum, Paul Tremblay, and Dean Koontz, then you’ll love reading Hash Black.
ABOUT HASH BLACK (from Amazon)
Hash Black is a horror author with an affinity for the vile and the ungodly. Ironically, his educational background is rooted in marine biology and has an innate love for coral reefs. However, he has always enjoyed writing his heart out as he grew up. R. L. Stine was a major influence during those days, with Goosebumps and Fear Street series getting lots of traction among his peers. Finally, at the age of 30, Hash gave in to his passion. A passion for writing.
More recently, Hash has taken up exploring books from other renowned authors, with Dean Koontz’s ‘Nameless Series’, and Stephen King’s ‘The Stand’ being his most beloved at the moment. His other favorite authors include Peter Straub, Clive Barker, Anne Rice, and Neil Gaiman.
Enjoy the fruits of his efforts here and support his journey along this winding journey of writership.
Magnum Opus by Caitlin Marceau is a quick story, that read like a Twilight Zone episode, where a person’s mind can become so twisted they see shadows, or in this case, eyes, at every turn and an ending that will make you think…WT?
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Magnum Opus by Caitlin Marceau.
2 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Charlotte Curran is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure her newest book is a best seller… even if that means murdering her best friend.
Nobody suspects her of killing renowned author Kim Lavoie, but when Charlotte starts seeing Kim everywhere she turns, she quickly realizes it’s more than just her guilty conscience haunting her. With each passing day, Kim’s judging gaze grows more difficult to escape.
Magnum Opus is a dark look at the price of fame and the legacy we leave behind.
ABOUT CAITLIN MARCEAU
Caitlin Marceau is an author and lecturer living and working in Montreal. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing, is an active member of both the Horror Writers Association and the Quebec Writers’ Federation, and spends most of her time writing horror and experimental fiction. She’s been published for journalism, poetry, as well as creative non-fiction, and has spoken about horror literature at several Canadian conventions. Her debut collection, Palimpsest, is available from Ghost Orchid Press and her second collection, A Blackness Absolute, is slated for publication later this year. If she’s not covered in ink or wading through stacks of paper, you can find her ranting about issues in pop culture or nerding out over a good book. For more, check out CaitlinMarceau.ca.
“It’s part him, part me, part stuff I made up…The magic formula…”
And that is part of the reason I grabbed Sulari Gentill’s novel, The Woman In The Library. The other reasons, a library mystery, Boston, a town I have visited many times, and a murder. I love mystery/thrillers and I so wanted to love The Woman In The Library…but I found it was not for me.
I was confused about numerous things and the story never grabbed me. I was about a third of the way through and started skimming. I do not like to DNF books. I know authors put their blood, sweat, and tears into their work, so I always want to finish. It was a good thing that at 53% my curiosity arose. I wanted to know, who is the murderer. I thought of skipping to the end to find out, but held back.
Not every book works for me and I am sure that is the same for you and just because The Woman In The Library by Sulari Gentill was not my cup of tea, that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Woman In The Library by Sulari Gentill.
2 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
In every person’s story, there is something to hide…
The
ornate reading room at the Boston Public Library is quiet, until the
tranquility is shattered by a woman’s terrified scream. Security guards
take charge immediately, instructing everyone inside to stay put until
the threat is identified and contained. While they wait for the
all-clear, four strangers, who’d happened to sit at the same table, pass
the time in conversation and friendships are struck. Each has his or
her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning—it just
happens that one is a murderer.
Award-winning author Sulari
Gentill delivers a sharply thrilling read with The Woman in the Library,
an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated
nature of friendship and shows us that words can be the most
treacherous weapons of all.
ABOUT SULARI GENTILL
Once upon a time, Sulari Gentill was a corporate lawyer serving as a director on public boards, with only a vague disquiet that there was something else she was meant to do. That feeling did not go away until she began to write. And so Sulari became the author of the Rowland Sinclair Mysteries: thus far, ten historical crime novels chronicling the life and adventures of her 1930s Australian gentleman artist, the Hero Trilogy, based on the myths and epics of the ancient world, and the Ned Kelly Award winning Crossing the Lines (published in the US as After She Wrote Hime). In 2014 she collaborated with National Gallery of Victoria to write a short story which was produced in audio to feature in the Fashion Detective Exhibition, and thereafter published by the NGV. IN 2019 Sulari was part of a 4-member delegation of Australian crime writers sponsored by the Australia Council to tour the US as ambassadors of Australian Crime Writing.
Sulari lives with her husband, Michael, and their boys, Edmund and Atticus, on a small farm in Batlow where she grows French Black Truffles and refers to her writing as “work” so that no one will suggest she get a real job.
I was still Hope Matthews, the baddest bitch of a detective.
Hope was a workaholic. When everyone left work, she couldn’t help but continue the investigation into the exsanguination of a body…where did the blood go? Yeah, it is predictable and a prequel. It did what I expected, teased me into wanting more. If I was going to read the series, it might be worth the 99c. I did enjoy their give and take in the dialogue and it had me smiling. I think the whole Raven Vampire Assassin series could be some great reading.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Scarlett Claimed by Dora Blume.
2 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
A skilled homicide detective, A mysterious murder, A vampire who will do anything to stay in the shadows…
Hope is a skilled detective. When she delves into a mysterious case, Reed offers his assistance. Too bad, he’s the one who is hell-bent on covering everything up. When she uncovers evidence linking Reed to the crime, he kidnaps her before she can reveal his secret. He’s a vampire.
Now Hope has landed on the vampire council’s radar. Her skills become a curse as the council decides she’d make a great addition to the Raven vampire assassins. But before she can join their ranks she’ll need to be trained in the art of war.
Her betrayer has become her trainer, and her life is in his hands. Will she be able to put her hatred aside to save her life?
ABOUT DORA BLUME (from Amazon)
Dora Blume writes fast-paced Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. When she’s not writing spunky female characters and their dreamy love interests, she’s binge watching reruns of Psych, hiking in the nearby woods with her dogs, or cooking something delicious. Her love of writing comes second to her love of reading. If you love her books, check out Dannika Dark or Mckenzie Hunter. They’re two of my many idols. For all the latest releases and updates on exclusive readers, subscribe to Dora Blume’s newsletter today
I have a file of short stories/novellas on my computer and have started to go through them with the thought of writing one sentence reviews. This is the first three…some great covers with some intriguing storylines.
Pulling Her Trigger by Alexa Riley is a steamy erotic novella, with a hot FBI agent and a hard as nails biker chick that stands alone in The Ghost Rider series, and I was quickly drawn into their world, where their meetings are HOT and sexy, instalove is alive and well, and they struggle (just a little because it is a novella) to come to a meeting of the minds, and I want more.
Enemies With Benefits by Annika Martin and Joanna Chambers is a Prologue for the Enemies With Benefits series, an erotic M/M novella that is smokin’ HOT and I’m glad I got it for free if for no other reason than to meet a couple of hunkalicious men, that I wouldn’t have met otherwise, that steamed up my Kindle and left me hungry for more.
Vulnerable by Patricia Loofbourrow is a short story/novellas, a prequel to the Red Dog Conspiracy which does tease, has an awesome cover, and even though it was worth finishing, being a quick read and with an interesting storyline, I would buy the book instead.
I debated long and hard about the rating for The Life Lessons of a Young Author by Sunayna Prasad. She does share some helpful tips on writing and publishing and it is written in a simple language. Short and to the point. I did sense her disappointment when it came to results, whether it was through reviews or through publishers. I know writers work very hard , BUT..
It seems like she won’t take her own advice. The book is short and pretty simple, yet I was disappointed with the grammatical errors and the whole thing felt like it was thrown together just to have a book.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Life Lessons of a Young Author by Sunayna Prasad.
2 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Whether you are young or old, The Life and Lessons of a Young Author can offer those who dream of finding the right path in the world of writing and publishing. Sunayna Prasad shares her experience as a young author and discusses what went well for her and what she suggests to those who long for success.
Talking about her life as a published writer, Sunayna Prasad teaches you the rules of the writing craft and the standards of the publishing world, as well as additional tips and tricks. The Life and Lessons of a Young Author can help you choose your own writing and publishing paths.
I won a hardcover of The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges a long time ago and am just getting around to reading and reviewing it.
3 Stars
.I won two books in the Star Canyon series, paperback novellas, by Tina Leonard.
