Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Review: Demon Princess by Kassandra Lynn


Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy

Description:

Adriana is set to become the Demon King, but is transported just moments before the ceremony takes place. She finds herself at the mercy of incompetent mage while she tries to hide her true identity for those who would harm her.

Author:

Kassandra Lynn has written several books in the paranormal fantasy world. She enjoys fantasy and romance, and you can find a bit of that in her books as well. Learn more about her at her website.

Appraisal:

There’s more to someone than just a label. Adriana, who is about to become the Demon King, lives in a world where she thinks she has everything figured out. The Savior Blood, the Wiseman and Warrior will one day fight the demons as they have for centuries. Until then, she will rule the demon kingdom until her father and brother return from their disappearance.

However, Adriana’s world is thrown upside-down when she accidentally becomes a summon beast to a human mage. Adriana learns more about the humans during her ordeal — probably more than most other demons. Turns out that just because she’s been told these people are her sworn enemies doesn’t actually make them so. In fact, Adriana finds herself helping those she’s supposed to despise.

Demon Princess was a great book about perception and biases. When Adriana and those around her opened their eyes to see the truth, it was far different than anything anyone expected. There’s a great complex world here that Kassandra Lynn has created, which is layered in mythology, magic and history.

The one drawback was that it seemed that Lynn took a while to find her voice. The early part of the book seemed very clinical in its writing, but it was engrossing when it finally loosened up.

I did see some other reviews that mentioned a lack of world building, but I just didn’t get that feeling at all. I got a pretty good idea about the world that surrounded the characters while little hints and clues. There could have been more, but it might have drawn away from the action of Demon Princess.

If you like magic and fantasy, with a love story thrown in, this is a good book to pick up.


Buy now from:    Amazon US Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

There were no errors.

Approximate word count:

Rating: ****Four Stars

Reviewed by: Sooz

Approximate word count: 45-50,000 words

Monday, January 30, 2017

Review: Fireworks by Mardeene


Genre: Erotic Romance/Short Story

Description:

On the 4th of July, former basketball star Brandy Sue Barnes declares her own personal ‘Independence Day’ from her unreliable boyfriend she realizes will never show up for her when it matters. The blonde statuesque fifty-one-year old, disappointed for the last time, asks for a real man she can depend upon. He shows up in the most unexpected of places—a burning building. Not just any building—her burning building: the Barnes Pyrotechnic warehouse. In this explosive sizzler of a romance in an unexpected twist, it is the beautiful lady who ends up rescuing the fire captain from the fire.”

Author:

Mardeene has worked in the publishing and film industries for over 32 years as a photojournalist, scriptwriter, nonfiction book author, literary manager and producer of events for writers in Northern California’s Silicon Valley, Hollywood, Atlanta, and Brazil.

She's launching her debut fiction with her collection of short erotic romances as a celebration of life after a near death experience and an affirmation of living and loving full out at any age! Read a free story on her website.”

Appraisal:

Brandy Sue Barnes may be fifty-one-years old, but she is smart, spunky, capable, and knows what she wants. She also knows that she is tired of her thoughtless boyfriend who was supposed to pick her up early to escort her to the Independence Day Fundraiser for her children’s cancer center. Claiming her own independence she decides to drive herself. On the way to the gala she notices a glow in the sky in the direction of her family’s warehouses for Barnes Pyrotechnics.

Taking a small detour to the offices and warehouses she finds one building totally demolished. As the firefighters are putting out the last of the fire on one of the five story structures a firefighter needs rescuing. During his rescue the fire chief falls through the roof. Since Brandy knows the building and is sure she knows a better way to get to the hunky injured chief. As soon as she is able to get past the line of distracted firefighters, and taking proper safety precautions, she heads off to rescue the sexy fire chief who has caught her eye.

The plot is well written and suspenseful. I found the characters well defined for a novelette. Mardeene uses a lot of sexy humor in this story that involves sparks and heat that will keep you reading. I would recommend this for a little afternoon delight any time of the year.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

While this is an erotic romance there are no overly graphic sex scenes and only two small F-bombs.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues with proofing.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 10-11,000 words

Friday, January 27, 2017

Review: The Shattered Bull by Patrick Kanouse


Genre: Mystery

Description:

The Bull, a Chicago alderman and convicted felon, is found dead in his home from suspicious circumstances. Detective Drexel Pierce is on the case that leads him to mobsters, former friends and a shady past. Pierce has to figure out who killed The Bull with a boss breathing down his neck and a huge snowstorm barreling toward the city.

Author:

Along with being a mystery writer, Patrick also writes poetry. His works have appeared in a number of journals and publications. Patrick lives with his wife near Indianapolis. Learn more about the author on his website

Appraisal:

Police dramas can be tricky, especially in a “who-dunnit” scenario. With all the build up that goes into these types of books, the payoff needs to be worth it. As I read The Shattered Bull, I kept thinking to myself, “Please be worth it. Please be worth it.”

Well – it was.

Chicago PD detective Drexel Pierce finds a number of roadblocks in his pursuit of the truth, even himself. As he investigates the murder of a Chicago alderman, who also is a convicted felon that is involved with illegal activities, he realizes there are a number of leads. All the while, Pierce has his own family drama and issues that he needs to overcome.

The story itself isn't groundbreaking. Here's a guy who made a lot of enemies and any number of them could have killed him. But given his position in the community, it's a high-profile case with the media never too far behind. In the meantime, there is a huge storm bearing in on the city that could make finding the murderer a bit more difficult.

Pierce is a complex and deep character. At work, he's professional and aims to get the job done even when dealing with a boss who gets in the way. But at home, he suffers from a deep heartache that won't be going away anytime soon since the death of his wife. Based on the interactions with his colleagues, it shows that even they probably don't understand the depth of his pain.

But it's true of all the main characters in the book. They are complex and there is more to them then initially let on. There are layers to them and a good understanding in what makes them react the way they do.

The city of Chicago is as much of a character as the people in the novel. Author Patrick Kanouse describes the city with such clarity that it almost feels as though you've been dropped into the middle of the city. He has a way with words, describing in detail the surroundings. At times, this can be a bit burdensome, but for the most part, it works.

Kanouse painted a full picture inside a compelling story with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing in this mystery.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

There were no errors.

Approximate word count: 75-80,000 words

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Sooz

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Review: The Eldridge Effect by Trevor Judd


Genre: Science Fiction/Short Story

Description:

When a World War-II era Naval vessel mysteriously appears in the middle of the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, Professor Henry Kelvin and CIA agent Jason West are called away from a meeting with the President of the United States to investigate yet another singularity related to The Phenomenon. The ship is positively identified as the U.S.S. Eldridge, a name synonymous with one of the nation's oldest conspiracy theories, the alleged Philadelphia Experiment. Finding out how and why the Eldridge has arrived in present-day Norfolk will push Kelvin and West's sanity to their limits as they gradually fall victim to the reality-warping secret at the heart of the Eldridge.”

Author:

Trevor Judd grew up in rural Tennessee but moved to Colorado after serving six years in the U.S. Air Force where he was an exceptional golf caddy for various generals and his coffee making skills became the stuff of legend. He was raised on a steady diet of comic books, violent cartoons, science fiction novels and action movies, so it wasn't very surprising when he started writing his own stories at the age of 8. He continues to write in his spare time, between classes or when the boss isn't looking.”

Appraisal:

This short story is the second in a series of four (so far) dealing with singularities that are appearing on Earth. The introductory science read like a string (sic) of quantum jargon to me, but then quantum physics is mostly inexplicable to me anyway. So what I received from the author was sufficient to convey that a crisis in the universe is underway and that’s what is causing the singularities.

Once the characters get onto the USS Eldridge, I was sucked into the time warp, which was well described and entertaining and brought to mind the TV series “Fringe,” which I also enjoyed.

I don’t read many short stories (I didn’t realise it was a short until I’d finished it, d’oh!), so I can’t really judge if this was long enough. I wouldn’t have objected to some fleshing out, but it was a fast, fun read.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK


Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: Pete Barber

Approximate word count: 10-11,000 words

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Review: Queenie's Teapot by Carolyn Steele


Genre: Satire

Description:

A post-Brexit, post-Trump romp through the world of what-if...

In a world where democracy has been declared no longer fit for purpose, a cohort of randomly-selected British Republic citizens receives their call to serve in parliament. As the strangers gather to learn their tasks for the next three years, the Cabinet Support Team tries to fit jobs to skills—but Queenie can’t do nuffin’. Naturally she becomes head of state. Together the new government muddles through, tackling unrest on the streets and a spot of global bioterrorism in addition to their own journeys of self-discovery.”

Author:

A native of the UK, Carolyn has worked in a number of professions, from psychologist to driving a semi-truck to an editor and proofreader. Then there's this author thing too, with two non-fiction books to her credit as well as contributing to several more. This book appears to be her first published work of fiction.

Appraisal:

I'm not sure where to start in trying to describe Queenie's Teapot, even in picking a genre. The premise is much like you'd expect from a dystopian novel, a “what if” imagined to the ultimate, but things never get bad enough to qualify as a dystopia. (Of course, the opposite of a dystopia is a utopia, and that doesn't fit either.) The author described it as satire, and that's not totally unreasonable.

At least satire is reasonable other than the quibble that satire is typically based on reality, but the world imagined here isn't reality with the figureheads of government (heads of state, cabinet ministers, etc.) picked semi-randomly by people working in the background. Well, not reality unless you buy into some of the more wild conspiracy theories floating around. I'll assume you don't.

Lack of knowing how to describe the story didn't stop me from getting drawn in. The protagonist, Queenie Mason, was likeable and made me want her to succeed. (That's why she got picked as head of state, not because of her name, although that couldn't have hurt.) The deeper into the story I got, the more I understood the satire. I got the point of the what if. Some of you might see it as a dystopia after all. At a minimum it's a fun little political adventure and if you want, it'll also get you thinking.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

Uses UK spelling. Also, lots of UK slang and forms of expression.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 95-100,000 words

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Review: The Rubber Fence by Diana Stevan


Genre: Women’s fiction/Contemporary Fiction

Description:

Dr. Joanna Bereza, a passionate intern, challenges Dr. Myron Eisenstadt, the chief psychiatrist, on his aggressive use of shock treatment. He accuses her of becoming too emotionally involved with the care of an old woman who's been shocked too many times and a young mother who stopped talking after giving birth.
What's also at stake is her marriage. Obsessed with her work, Joanna is blind to problems at home. It doesn't help that one of the other interns has more than a professional interest in her and looks more like a hip musician than an aspiring shrink.

Shadowing Joanna's work is her own unresolved grief over something that happened when she was a child.

The Rubber Fence was inspired by the author's experience as a family therapist on a psychiatric ward.”

Author:

Diana Stevan likes to describe herself as a Jill of all trades. Her eclectic work history serves her well in her writing. She's worked as a family therapist, a professional actor, professional model, teacher, and a freelance writer-broadcaster for CBC Televisions Sports Journal.

Diana was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics with honors and Master of Social Work, graduating on the Dean's honour list.

She's published poetry in the U.K. journal, Dreamcatcher, and a short story in Escape, an anthology. A Cry From the Deep, a time-slip romantic adventure, is her debut novel. She has also published a novelette, The Blue Nightgown, women's fiction.

Her second novel, The Rubber Fence, contemporary fiction, inspired by her work on a psychiatric ward in the 1970s, is now available as a paperback and e-book.”

Diana lives with her husband Robert on Vancouver Island, in beautiful British Columbia. You can visit her at her website or on her Facebook page.

Appraisal:

It’s difficult to write compelling fiction when the purpose is to explain a theme. This is particularly true when the theme is one so weighty as a doctor objecting to electric shock therapy being used to treat mentally ill patients.

There simply wasn’t enough tension in this story to keep me consistently engaged. The main character, Dr. Joanna Bereza, was supposed to be a strong, perhaps even overpowering woman, but she didn’t come over like that on the page. Too many minor characters muddied the story and left me confused at times.

The story unfolds almost exclusively as narrative and so I wasn’t ever deeply immersed. This was particularly true in the sessions where the ECT was being applied to a patient. My palms should have been sweating--they weren’t.

I seem to be hitting a seam of stories like this lately--good premise, but mediocre execution. So, once again, I think this could shine if it underwent a tough content edit.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

Canadian spelling

Rating: *** Three Stars

Reviewed by: Pete Barber

Approximate word count: 75-80,000 words

Monday, January 23, 2017

Review: Eulalie and Washerwoman by Malcolm R. Campbell


Genre: Magical Realism/Fantasy/Folk Tales

Description:

Torreya, a small 1950s Florida Panhandle town, is losing its men. They disappear on nights with no moon and no witnesses. Foreclosure signs appear in their yards the following day while thugs associated with the Klan take everything of value from inside treasured homes that will soon be torn down. The police won't investigate, and the church keeps its distance from all social and political discord.

Conjure woman Eulalie Jenkins, her shamanistic cat, Lena, and neighbor Willie Tate discover that the new 'whites only' policy at the once friendly mercantile and the creation of a plantation-style subdivision are linked to corrupt city fathers, the disappearing men, rigged numbers gambling, and a powerful hoodoo man named Washerwoman. After he refuses to carry Eulalie's herbs and eggs and Willie's corn, mercantile owner Lane Walker is drawn into the web of lies before he, too, disappears.

Washerwoman knows how to cover his tracks with the magic he learned from Florida's most famous root doctor, Uncle Monday, so he is more elusive than hen's teeth, more dangerous that the Klan, and threatens to brutally remove any obstacle in the way of his profits. In this follow up to Conjure Woman's Cat, Eulalie and Lena face their greatest challenge with scarce support from townspeople who are scared of their own shadows. Even though Eulalie is older than dirt, her faith in the good Lord and her endless supply of spells guarantee she will give Washerwoman a run for his ill-gotten money in this swamps and piney woods story.

Author:

Malcolm R. Campbell lives in north Georgia and has worked as a corporate communications director, technical writer, and college journalism instructor. He now works as a grant writer for museums and other nonprofit organizations.

Campbell's fantasy novels were inspired by his work in Glacier National Park, an aircraft carrier cruise, and time spent in Florida's swamps. His paranormal ghost stories were inspired (of course) by his experiences with things that go bump in the night.”

To learn more check out Mr. Campbell’s website, blog, or follow him on Facebook.

Appraisal:

I love Lena’s irreverent narration throughout this story. She is able to give us a unique perspective of an era from the past most of us haven’t experienced. Since Lena is a cat she can’t be bothered by human emotions, unless you are scratching her behind her ears. This tale, while being fiction, rings true on many facts. The addition of magical realism brings us an eccentric, enthralling, and entertaining history of days gone by.

It wasn’t all white mistreatment and abuse on the black population, there was black on black abuse as well. Greed is the common agent that knows no color. Thank goodness Eulalie is around to try to set some misdeeds right. Pitted against a powerful hoodoo man, who practices black magic, it’s questionable whether Eulalie can outwit and best Washerwoman to return a more even balance of powers in her corner of the world. The struggles are realistic of the time.

I love that Eulalie’s and Willie Tate’s relationship is more fully explained and I am glad Adelaide, Eulalie’s daughter, is back in town. Old family secrets are exposed and this made my heart smile. Please be aware that the language in this story is not always politically correct, however it is true to the era. I found this a thoroughly enjoyable tale and while the main story arc was brought to a satisfactory end for the time being, things are still open. Also, Eulalie takes off on a whole new adventure that is sure to be entertaining on an emotional level. 
I can’t wait!

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

Eulalie and Washerwoman is book two in Malcolm R. Campbell’s, Florida Folk Magic Stories. I believe this can be read as a standalone, however the characters are unique and some depth could be lost. Also, please be aware that the language is not always politically correct, however it is true to the era.

Format/Typo Issues:

I came across a small number of proofing issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Friday, January 20, 2017

Review: The Numbers Game by Allison Janda


Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Description:

"When the body of a young woman is discovered by Detective Jack Crawford, he knows the notorious Roman Numeral Killer is back. What's worse, the appetite of the killer has changed from prostitutes and drug addicts to just about everyone else. As the case explodes putting all of Seattle in an uproar, Jack works tirelessly to stay ahead of the noise. Catching up with the most dangerous killer seen in decades won't be easy. A single misstep could make it deadly."

Author:

Allison Janda has written many books. In her own words: "I'm an author because being an author can make people laugh and cry and question their beliefs and turn them on and turn them off and fall in love and all of the other things that humans should do in order to live a full life. And I hope that in reading my books, you feel something - something that reminds you of why you read books in the first place."

For more information, visit the author's website.

Appraisal:

Jack Crawford, is a detective who finds the dead body of a man when he is out running. The Roman Numerals killer has struck again, leaving numbers carved into the man's ankle. Shortly afterwards the body of a woman is found in a house, this murder apparently not the work of the serial killer. The dead woman was the girlfriend of Greg Hahn, brother to Emmet, who is Jack's partner in homicide investigations. The only suspect is Erica Barnes, Greg's ex-girlfriend, who was at the scene but claims she was only there to get her dog back. Jack believes in her innocence but finds it difficult to find another suspect.

The main character, Jack, is nominally the hero but his reaction to various situations is weak and confused and he finds it hard to be objective as he is falling for Erica who is a pretty blonde with pink, pouty lips.

There is a great deal of humour in this book which sets it apart from the usual grim, murder mystery and the premise is exciting and credible but the narrative is let down by the clichéd writing and unrealistic dialogue. There are long sections in the book dealing with the dog, and elsewhere, with Erica's stay in hospital; these sections add nothing to the story and could well be edited to half their length.

The editing is untidy with many errors in syntax, grammar, and some typos.

“'Some of us have to make due with what we've got.'"

" . . . hospitals had certainly been the most depressing thing Jack had ever seen. This place, though. This place was giving the hospital a run for their money,"

"Emmett had sprang to his feet . . . "

The book would definitely benefit from some re-writing and a more organised plot line. It seems as if the author isn't quite sure of what this story is about; it begins with a serial killer murder, but the main part of the book doesn't address this at all; it only reappears and ties in at the very end. Each part is interesting in itself although somewhat lacking in tension.

Still, this book has an undeniable, bouncy charm to it which made it very enjoyable despite its faults.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

Some very gory scenes

Format/Typo Issues:

Several typos, spelling and syntax errors

Rating: *** Three Stars

Reviewed by: Joan Slowey

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Review: Wisdom of Fools: stories of extraordinary lives by Phil Harvey


Genre: Short Story Collection

Description:

This a collection of eight stories by Phil Harvey which its Amazon puff says “will appeal to fans of Jonathan Franzen, Philip Roth and Martin Amis, and is right at home with some of the greatest famous short story collections.” Six of them are contemporary, two are science fictionish.

Author:

If you want to find out more about Phil Harvey, or connect with him, then this is a good place to start: http://www.humanmade.net/phil-harvey

Harvey has other important career strands alongside his fiction writing. He is the author of non-fiction books about contraception, government snooping and libertarian values; he has set up a charity which implements family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention programs in developing countries; helped fund the Drug Policy Alliance, the Marijuana Police project and NORML; he works to raise awareness of freedom-of-speech issues and injustices caused by the war on drugs; and he runs a company which helps adults enjoy their sex lives. His compassion in and deep knowledge of these various areas informs his fiction, to advantage.

Appraisal:

These are meaty stories. The author turns out to be one of those treasured finds in whom, as a reader, one may place absolute trust.

The eight stories are delightfully varied. Nevertheless, they do have aspects in common. I would describe them all as having both a visceral foundation and as many layers as an onion. Harvey sketches in characters at the same time as he develops the story – no hanging around to see the set and meet the cast here. Not a word is wasted, which is essential when constructing short stories. The story is underway from the first sentence: the pace and length are perfectly judged – and at the end is a payoff, which one had not seen coming, which is perfect and thought-provoking. Harvey is a man who really understands the short form in fiction and uses it beautifully. The Amazon puff (above) names several writers of short fiction in whose company these stories can stand. I hereby add Ernest Hemingway – yes, Harvey is THAT good.

My favourite (and it’s a hard choice) is Virgin Birth which looks at particularly difficult moral choices that might surround a surrogate pregnancy – the sort of choices that I’ve never been encouraged to think about before. I found it revelatory.

This is a short book. One can absorb a story in a sitting. Even if short fiction isn’t your usual fare I urge you to give these a go. If you’re still wrinkling your nose at the idea, Harvey has longer fiction available. This is an author well worth discovering.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No infelicities to report, except for the three typos in one story.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Judi Moore

Approximate word count: 25-30,000 words

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Review: Old Dark by Michael La Ronn


Genre: Fantasy

Description:
Old Dark is a viperous dragon lord who rules the world with an iron fist. For two hundred years he and his dragons have terrorized humans and elves, forcing them to pay tribute or die. There’s a deadly conspiracy brewing. And if he doesn’t contain it, it will destroy him and everything he’s built. But Dark was born to fight. There’s a reason the ancients called him Dark the Wicked…Old Dark is the first book in the dark fantasy series The Last Dragon Lord. Readers who like the Age of Fire series and Smaug from the Lord of the Rings will enjoy this series.”
Author:

Michael La Ronn is the author of many science fiction and fantasy novels including the Android X, Modern Necromancy, and The Last Dragon Lord series. 

In 2012, a life-threatening illness made him realize that life is too short. He’s devoted his life to writing ever since, making up whatever story makes him fall out of his chair laughing the hardest. Every day.

Discover more work by Michael by visiting his website.
www.michaellaronn.com

Appraisal:

This fantasy begins eons ago in a world where magic is power. The society is ruled by dragons through their control of the magic aquifer. Elves are able to use magic, but only have limited access and humans are the lowest caste, unable to leverage any magical powers.

Once the dragon lord, Old Dark, is betrayed, the novel jumps forward 1,000 years and we’re presented with a close-to modern world where dragons no longer rule, but have been accommodated in society through an ingenious mechanism and Elven-human inter-breds are in control.

The story focuses on an upcoming inter-family political race for the post of Governor between Lucan Grimoire and his uncle (the current governor). I found this modern-day fantasy world fun to experience--the huge time jump really worked for me. The writing was clean and easy on the eye. Unusually for a fantasy, the story was very plot driven with little time spent developing the characters (except the main dragon--Old Dark).

So, this was a solid four-star read for me until the author ended on an unforgivable cliffhanger. Man. I hated the “To be continued….” Yeah, I knew that because this is book one in a series, but for heaven’s sakes finish the first book’s story arc before writing “The End.” Jeez!

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

Format/Typo Issues:

Too few to bother me.

Rating: *** Three Stars

Reviewed by: Pete Barber

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Review: Domination by Imogen Rose


Genre: YA/Paranormal

Description:

Years of hard work preceded her entry to the Oval Office. She attended the right prep schools and right colleges. She made sure to make all the right contacts, ingratiating herself into the right circles. But all those rights hadn’t been enough.

In the end, she’d needed her mother.

And now it was time to repay that debt.”

Author:

Globetrotter Imogen Rose is Swedish by birth, went to college in London (where she received a PhD in immunology), and is now a Jersey girl. After her eight-year-old daughter insisted she write down her stories, Rose wrote the first of her Portal Chronicles series and decided to let it out into the world. The response was so positive that she’s continued writing. With the addition of this one she now has eleven books available, plus foreign translations of many.


Appraisal:

It's been almost two years since Imogen Rose's last book. I found myself slipping easily into her world and hearing about the latest adventures of the characters (at least the likable ones) was like catching up with old friends.

In each installment we learn a little more about Rose's paranormal creatures, not just their personalities, but their capabilities or powers. We understand the world they live in a bit better, which is partially our world, but things are going on that we aren't aware of or misinterpret based on our limited knowledge.

In this latest installment two of the main characters are having a baby. This is complicated not only by the child-to-be's genetic makeup (a combination of fairy, demon, and wanderer, the last a paranormal creature that might be unique to Rose's story worlds) which is unique enough as to be hard to predict how it will work out, but also due to some issues with the grandmother-to-be. Then there is the US President and the wrath her mother is trying to unleash on the world. Needless to say, tension is high and how or if it will turn out okay is in question right up until the end.

Those who have been waiting for this aren't going to be disappointed. Those who haven't, now is as good a time to hop on board, either reading Domination or going back to the start of the series.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Although part of a series, reading this book as a standalone would work fine as the author gives enough grounding in past events to get new readers up to speed while refreshing the memories of those who have been around since the beginning.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an advance copy and I can't judge the final version in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 85-90,000 words

Monday, January 16, 2017

Review: Sunchaser by Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus


Genre: Urban Fantasy/Adventure/Paranormal/Contemporary

Description:

After too many weeks as a New Mexico farm hand, werecat Roan desperately needs to get out of town or he'll start eating idiots instead of ignoring them.
But he discovers an abused werewolf in the pen of a travelling circus, and even though he can't stand the dogs, he decides to rescue his fellow werecreature. He is unaware that Betsy, the idealistic daughter of the local Sheriff, plans to do exactly the same.

Together, they manage to fuck up a perfectly good rescue operation and Roan catches a chest full of lead. Which isn't enough to kill a werecat, but now Roan is on the run to Mexico with overeager Betsy and their crippled werewolf charge in tow.

They will have to overcome their prejudices and grow into a family if they are to outrun the police, angry parents, jealous fiancées and vengeful circus fey hot on their heels.”

Author:

Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus are a couple currently living their happily-ever-after in the very heart of Germany under the stern but loving surveillance of their cat. Both of them are voracious but picky readers, they love telling stories and drinking tea, good food and the occasional violent movie. Together, they write novels of adventure and romance, hoping to share a little of their happiness with their readers.

Beryll: An artist by heart, Beryll wrote stories even before she knew what letters were. As easily inspired as she is frustrated, her own work is never good enough (in her eyes). A perfectionist in the best and worst sense of the word and the driving creative force of the duo.

Osiris: An entertainer and craftsman in his approach to writing, Osiris is the down-to-earth, practical part of the team. Broadly interested in almost every subject and skill, with a sunny mood and caring personality, he strives to bring the human nature into focus of each of his stories.”

Learn more at their website and now you can follow them on Facebook.

Appraisal:

What a great fantasy adventure story. Sunchaser isn’t at all what I expected after reading Softpaw (the first book of this series). Roan, a saber-toothed werepanther, is a loner and thrives in his solitary existence, drifting wherever he pleases. Most of the characters, with much story time, are strongly developed and diverse. Since this is a road trip sort of adventure the scenery is constantly changing, however, it was easy to imagine a sense of place throughout. The urgency, tension, and danger in certain scenes was also well written and easily experienced.

There is a strong theme of family and personal growth in this journey, which is examined closely. Though most of the adventure is told through Roan, it is easy to see growth in Betsy and Martin as well as Roan. Betsy seems to be a shallow, oblivious blonde at first. She is the sheriff’s daughter and engaged to deputy Pembroke. Martin is the name Betsy gives the poor abused, dim-witted werewolf she frees from the traveling circus that came to town. Of course, Betsy thinks she is rescuing a large abused wolf.

When Roan checks out the circus that afternoon he can feel the magic, but can’t identify its source. He is also enraged when he witnesses the ringmaster’s abuse of the werewolf and is baffled at the wolf’s cowering behavior. Through an act of goodwill towards shifters of all kinds and, against his better judgment, Roan decides to liberate the werewolf from his cage. The fact that Betsy was in the process of trying to talk the wolf out of his jail when he arrived irritated Roan, not that he was trying to be the hero or anything like that you understand, but he readily stepped in to assist. Then things go wrong, Roan is injured and Betsy ends up saving them all with a little help from the werewolf.

I found this story full of heart as Betsy, Martin, and Roan develop a mutual respect as they redefine the standard definition of family. Roan’s self-deprecating humor is highly entertaining, especially since he is a cat who now has a doggie. Poor Martin is slowly healing as he puts on more weight and time passes, however, he may forever be a huge good-natured dog with monster teeth. It was also fun to learn a little bit about Deirdre Moonstealer, Roan’s globe-trotting, supermodel sister. I can’t wait to hear more about her.

If you enjoy easy-going, fun, urban fantasy, shifter stories, I think you will find this one worth your time.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

Sunchaser is book two in the Smilodon Pride series, however it can be read as a standalone.

Contains adult language with several F-bombs. No sexual content.

Format/Typo Issues:

A small number of proofing issues, however, nothing that threw me out of the story.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 65-70,000 words