Review: Steel Breeze

Steel Breeze by Douglas Wynne

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Book Info: Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Everyone
Trigger Warnings: murder, kidnapping, themes relating to Japanese interment during WWII and the bombing of Hiroshima, revenge

My Thoughts: This is Douglas Wynne's second novel, following the “rock'n'roll horror” novel “The Devil of Echo Lake” (review linked here). I'm astonished by this author's versatility. His first novel has fantastical themes, while this one is limited to reality; his first novel is defined as horror (although I felt it was more dark fantasy), while this one is suspense/thriller. In both cases, the characters, the descriptions, the fast-paced action keep the reader flipping the pages as fast as possible. It's wonderful to see an author willing to experiment and try different things and succeed at it so well.

I felt Desmond was a really good character, nicely developed with realistic reactions and motivations. Fournier felt a bit less developed to me, but we still were aware of his motivations and why he was doing what he did. The ending was bittersweet and felt just right. Again, I highly recommend you read the books by this talented new(ish) writer. They're well worth the time.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this e-book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: It’s been a year since novelist Desmond Carmichael's wife Sandy was brutally murdered. Now, with someone stalking him and his four-year-old son, he fears that the wrong man has been imprisoned for the crime. Sandy’s parents and Detective Chuck Fournier have a different fear: that Desmond, despondent over Sandy’s death, has become too unstable to raise his own son.

To prove them wrong, Desmond must work outside the law to defeat a threat born in the dust of an American wasteland, baptized by fire, and hellbent on riding the winds of karma.



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@WheatonKathleen & @JKSLitPublicity #Review "Aliens & Other Stories" by Kathleen Wheaton

Aliens & Other Stories review
Author: Kathleen Wheaton
4 out of 5 stars

Book Info: Genre: Short story anthology/fiction
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: people who enjoy short fiction, interesting stories
Trigger Warnings: infidelity

My Thoughts: This is not the sort of book I would ordinarily read, and I'm not really certain why I agreed to review it, but I'm glad I did. It's not obvious how every single story links up, but several of them are quite easy to track due to shared characters.

Each story was well-written and fascinating, an insight into how it feels to not belong, literally. Not angsty, just honest. Each character is defined quickly yet thoroughly; it is obvious this writer is a master at creating characters efficiently. Short stories can be very challenging sometimes, but these are all wonderfully well done.

If you enjoy short stories that are interesting and well written, be sure to check out this book.

Disclosure: I received this book from JKS Communications in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: The characters in Kathleen Wheaton's linked stories are exiles-from their native countries, their families, their objects of desire. Political refugees from Argentina's "dirty war," survivors of a Cuban shipwreck and of Franco's Spain all navigate life as foreigners, whether in Madrid, Buenos Aires or suburban Washington, D.C. With wry, nuanced compassion, Wheaton follows these resilient people as they reconcile the absurdities of contemporary life with a legacy of dislocation, loss and longing.

Review: A Method to the Madness: A Guide to the Super Evil

A Method to the Madness: A Guide to the Super Evil by Jeffrey a Hite

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Book Info: Genre: Short story anthology/Self-help parody
Reading Level: MG on up
Recommended for: Those who want to be a super villain, or a supervillain for that matter...

My Thoughts: Okay, this was just hilarious. A series of articles including advice on all aspects of being Super Evil, including the care and maintenance of minions, person.al presentation, etc. If you've been wanting some advice on how to be truly Evil, whether it's big or small, you can find that here. Don't miss the biography section at the end that gives information on the various villains that wrote the papers (and the pen names by which they are better known to the outside world). This is an all-ages sort of book, I think anyone with a sense of humor will enjoy it and have a lot of laughs, so definitely check it out

Disclosure: I received an e-book copy of this through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: In an almost unprecedented move, a conclave of The Super Evil convened last year at a secret lair in North America to create a guide book for aspiring ne'er-do-wells. The result? A collection of papers known generally as "A Method to the Madness: a Guide to the Super Evil," a collection destined to become the handbook globally of every evil genius.

The collection includes 24 papers presented by evil luminaries such as Her Serene Omnipotence Calassandra, Conqueror and Empress; Janus Kinase Hateyuaniwae, BFA, PhD, PhD, FRCCP, P.Eng; and Dr. Evil-n-Carnate, Frequent Flyer, Grocery Shopper and Overlord Of Cubical Block 3257J - to name but a few.

Between the 24 sages who assembled at the North American Conclave, they created insightful papers on the pressing subjects of "Cognitive Perspective in the Pursuit of Evil; Principles of Biology and Genetics for Minion Breeding Programs;" and, "The Importance of Date Night to the Married Super Villain."



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@TMarguerite #Cover Reveal & #Giveaway from @LadyReaderStuff "Rowena's Revenge" by Theresa Marguerite Hewitt

Title: ROWENA'S REVENGE (The Broadus Supernatural Society Series, #5)

Author: Theresa Marguerite Hewitt

Genre: Fiction | YA | Paranormal

Expected Release Date: 10/31/13

Rowena's life has never been easy. 

Being part Were and part Fae fire-starter she has learned to live a solitary life, depending only on her own instincts until one mistake throws her into danger. Now being chased by a psychopathic Warlock who is bound and determined to "own" her, Rowena must rely on her newly found mates and family. But is she ready to trust? Or will her damaged heart plunge her into darkness?

Blaine is a strong wolf, wanting to protect his new mate with his life. When a new man comes into her life, he can't help but be jealous. Will it drive him into betrayal? Or will he accept their new life too late?

Penton has lived hundreds of years looking for his mate. Now he's found her, but can he keep her safe long enough to get her back to Montana?

Cearbhall is one of the last Dark Warlocks known in the world. He has been searching for centuries for the 'fire-heart' that will complete his prophecy, bringing the world to his feet. In Rowena, his dark, twisted mind finds it with just the hint of her blood left behind as she runs from federal forces.

He will stop at nothing, killing everyone and everything in his path to have her for his own. He thinks nothing of leaving a path of destruction across the country in his wake to claim her.

Will one of these three mates pay the ultimate price for love? Or will evil finally descend upon Broadus, Montana and The Big Sky Pack?

Theresa Marguerite Hewitt is a very laid back person; enjoying the simpler things in life more than most sometimes. She grew up in a very, VERY small town in Central New York and she will always be a Redneck Woman.

She loves reading, writing, taking long pointless drives and long dusk time walks. Fall and winter are her favorite times of year and she spends more time outside then than in the summer. She loves hearing from fans and is not above fan-girling on those that show her tons of support.

She donates the profits from the Amazon sales of her military series, The Wakefield Romance Series, to various military charities including; Wounded Warrior Project, Red Circle Foundation, Boot Campaign and others.

She is addicted to the cheap-Harlequin romances you can pick up in most drug stores and cannot go in and out of a store without picking up at least one. She resides in Buffalo, NY with her boyfriend, two dogs and two cats.

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Review: Only the Thunder Knows - East End Girls

Only the Thunder Knows - East End Girls by Gord Rollo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Book Info: Genre: Dark urban fantasy/Historical fiction
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of horror, dark fiction, reading about serial killers
Trigger Warnings: murder, body snatching, serial killing, mutilation

My Thoughts: This is a double-feature, so to speak: two books in one binding. They are each a blend of historical fiction with urban fantasy, each dealing with a serial killer or killers. They are not available to review separately as nearly as I can tell, so I'll just be writing two reviews here. First up:

“Only The Thunder Knows” by Gord Rollow: Combining the story of Britain's first serial killers with a dose of horror and a bit of Arthurian legend, this dark story was a real pleasure to read for someone like me who is interested in the mythology of the British Isles. The point-of-view is limited third person, so there isn't a lot of introspection, although we do go into both William and Billy's heads at different times for short periods. Still, the point of the story is the mystery and the search, and that is what this novella focuses on, moving from Edinburgh to London, spending time in cemeteries and dive bars and creaky boarding houses. A really great story that feeds nicely into the second novella in this book...

“East End Girls” by Rena Mason: This is Ms. Mason's debut book, and it creates an interesting theory about Jack the Ripper. Unfortunately I can't provide many details so as to avoid spoiling the story, but it was a really good book, very well-written. It provides an interesting look into the lives of women in Victorian England, and through Eliza we see how imbalanced society was. She dreamt of being a doctor, but of course was expected to drop all that once she married. An outstanding book and character study, this is an author whose work I'll be wanting to read again in the future. I see a bright future.

These two stories fit together well and were both a highly entertaining read. For those who enjoy reading horror, dark fiction, especially about serial killers, you will definitely want to check this double book out. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I received this two-book combination novel from JournalStone in exchange for an honest review through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer's program. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: “Only The Thunder Knows”: William (Billy) Burke and William Hare were two real-life, beer-swilling, fist-fighting lowlifes who managed to stumble their way into infamy in Edinburgh, Scotland in the late 1820s. Step by step, they graduated from the unemployment line to petty thievery, to grave robbing, and then on to cold bloody murder—ultimately becoming Britain’s first documented serial killers. 

What history doesn’t know about, or consider is the possibility that Burke and Hare may not have been acting on their own; and the blame for those heinous crimes might not entirely be theirs. Two mysterious strangers have arrived in the city—an old sculptor and a stunningly beautiful actress—both of which use their money and influence to manipulate the young Irishmen into searching for an ancient artifact rumored to have the awesome power of Heaven and Hell combined. 

“East End Girls”: Seized by the vicious killings of Jack the Ripper, Victorian London’s, East End is on the brink of ruin. Elizabeth Covington, desperate and failing to follow in her beloved father’s footsteps, risks practicing medicine in the dangerous and neglected Whitechapel District to improve her studies. News of a second brutal murder spreads. Elizabeth crosses paths with a man she believes is the villain, triggering a personal downward spiral taking her to a depth of evil she never knew existed. Only she knows the truth that drives the madness of a murderer.



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Review: Fade to Black

Fade to Black by Jeffrey Wilson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Book Info: Genre: Supernatural suspense/horror
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: People who like books dealing with war and fighting
Trigger Warnings: war (Iraq), death, killing

My Thoughts: This is a really hard book to read at times, and anyone who has family or loved ones in the military might especially have difficulty with it. Nonetheless, it's a very well-written book, the characters are engaging and well defined, and I was held by the story throughout. In many ways it is very sobering, as the descriptions of combat are visceral and real. It is sometimes hard to keep track of what is happening, since Jack/Casey himself doesn't know which world is real and which is the dream, but it slowly comes clear in time through the course of the book.

It's obvious that the author has either had experience in the Marines or has done a great deal of research to have all the jargon and lingo down so well, although I have to wonder why Marines have shortened “sergeant” to “sar'n”. It seems illogical.

Anyway, if this book sounds like something you'd like, definitely check it out.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this e-book from JournalStone via the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Jack is a young man caught between two terrifying worlds. In one, he is Marine Sergeant Casey Stillmam, locked in combat in the streets of Fallujah, Iraq. He is lying next to his dead and dying friends, bleeding in the street—until he wakes up at home, in bed with his wife.

In this other world, Jack is a high school science teacher, husband, and devoted father to his little girl. But the nightmares of war continue to haunt him, and to Jack/Casey they feel in many ways more real than his life at home with his family.

When news of killed Marines in Fallujah surface, Jack realizes he knows far more about these men then he should. But, when the dead Marines begin visiting him while he is awake—he realizes he is in serious trouble.

Faced with the possibility of losing his mind, or far worse, the nightmares being real, Jack knows he must somehow find a way to bridge the two realities and fight his way back from the nightmares to save his wife and little girl.



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@FeliciaStarr111 & @LadyReaderStuff #Giveaway and "Taken" Cover Reveal (e-book/gc)

Title: 
TAKEN

Author: Felicia Starr

Expected Release Date: December 2013

Genre: Fiction | YA | Paranormal

Opening her eyes to an imposing prison of complete darkness, Kasha is accused of possessing powers and abilities she had no previous knowledge of until the moment she comes face to face with herself while meditating. Haunted by memories strung together by lies and deceit, she soon discovers that maybe her beloved grandmother kept a few secrets she had not been aware of.

Secrets that could be her salvation… or her undoing.


As she struggles to control her newfound powers, only time will tell if they will be enough to help her decipher who has imprisoned her or what they want from her. She must search for the answers and the freedom she so desperately desires. Could a handsome person whom vows to help her
are away prove to be the man of her dreams… or perhaps her worst nightmare?

Not knowing whom to trust, she must find a way to escape before she pays the ultimate price and finds herself taken by the darkness.

You must betray your heart and walk amongst the darkness in order to find the truest light.

Author Felicia Starr lives five miles from her favorite Jersey Shore destination with her amazingly supportive family.  She loves to spend time creating special memories with her husband and two young boys.
 
Everyone expected her first publication to be a cookbook, but her love for writing has surpassed her love for cooking.

 Felicia graduated magna cum laude from Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a post baccalaureate in elementary education. 

She is a licensed real estate sales person, a certified yoga instructor, and most importantly, a stay-at-home mom.  

 

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Review: The Gospel of Damascus

The Gospel of Damascus by Omar Imady

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Book Info: Genre: Spiritual/Religious fiction
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of apocalyptic fiction, esp. relating to traditional religious thoughts on it

My Thoughts: This was a very strange book. While Yune is Muslim, the book itself seems to embrace all spiritual paths, which I actually appreciated. So often these sorts of things end up promoting one path over all others. Anyway, the synopsis gives a fairly concise description of the story, and there is not much else to say other than that. The characters are just there to move the story along, so there isn't much in the way of character development other than broad strokes, and the story itself is more about the journey than anything else. It sometimes moves years within the course of a paragraph. It was a fairly interesting story, but not a traditional one.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewer's Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: The Gospel of Damascus is an eschatological novel that weaves sacred traditions to tell the story of eight angels who identify and prepare Yune Bukhari, a Damascene man born to a Christian mother and Muslim father, to be one of the successors to the Disciples of Christ. The preparation process is complex and entails spiritual and sensual experiences which Yune must successfully undergo. Guiding the preparation process are golden scrolls which can only be opened at very specific dates. The story appears to culminate on Christmas Eve 1999 when Yune, along with his co-disciples, believe Christ will return. Yune is shattered when Christ fails to descend on the White Tower east of Damascus. But thirty-three years later, the preparation of Yune is over and he is finally permitted to witness the event he had anticipated for so long.



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#Giveaway: "Gift of Continence" by Tabitha Ormiston-Smith (e-book/Int'l)

This week I'm giving away three copies of Tabitha Ormiston-Smith's comedic novel Gift of Continence.  Winners will receive a coupon for a free e-book copy in their format of choice from Smashwords.

Blurb:

With the perfect wedding dress, what can go wrong? A great deal, as Fiona McDougall rapidly discovers. From the wedding from hell onwards, Fiona successively discovers that her new husband is stingy, bad-tempered and an adulterer.

WARNING: do not attempt to read this book while drinking hot liquids, as they may shoot out of your nose.

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Review: Nightmare Ballad

Nightmare Ballad by Benjamin Kane Ethridge

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Book Info: Genre: Horror/Lovecraftian
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: fans of horror, Lovecraftian fiction
Trigger Warnings: deaths

My Thoughts: One of the things I liked best about this book is that it features a functioning polyamorous relationship, in which two women and a man are all married to each other. It doesn't show this in the “threesome” sense, either, but realistically with all the sorts of compromises and difficulties that such a relationship entails, as well as the beauty when it works properly.

I have designated this Lovecraftian, but not in the sense of tentacled Elder Gods (although there is an octopus at one point), but in the sense of skewed reality, unknown things in the dark, dreams and nightmares. This is an incredibly creepy story, and fans of horror should enjoy this.

It is not truly stand alone, however. While this book wraps up with a denouement, not everything is solved. A sequel, called Nightmare Serenade, is planned, although I am not certain when it will be out. I, for one, plan to acquire a copy of it, because I really enjoyed this book. If you live in fear of your nightmares, if you enjoy Lovecraftian fiction, if you're a fan of horror, definitely check out this book.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: One day, while instructing a swim class, Luke Rhodes hears a strange ballad in his head that twists reality. After a series of terrifying events, he escapes through a black curtain and leaves a living nightmare behind.

The ballad hasn't left him though. Pieces remain. And when the song surfaces… the nightmare returns. Joined by Luke’s two wives and his miscreant friend Johnny Cruz, they resolve to discover the source of these “Lifemares,” and, more importantly, how to escape them.

But time is against them. Innocent people are dying and these freakish disturbances are devastating the world they know.

Will Luke and his family find the singer of the Ballad before it’s too late? Or will horrifying nightmares roam the world… forever?



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