Review- Hot Pursuit by Stuart Woods

Review- Hot Pursuit by Stuart Woods

Available at Amazon 

Santa Claus kindly brought me a copy of Stuart Woods’ page turning thirty third installment of the Stone Barrington series.  I love this series and the character of Stone Barrington. Stone is dynamic, intelligent and shrewd and highly likable despite being a lady killer without even trying . The story is rich with details that could happen in the political climate of today. Stone and his connections take him into political intrigue as his friend, the latest president of United States; Kate Lee takes over her position. We as a reader get to see the security forces at work and because of Stone’s close connections to the parties involved the connections to him. We also get to see Stone’s life as he picks up his new airplane and meets yet another beauty and stumbles into trouble rescuing said fair maiden.  I have to admit I also love the nod out to my fair city London, Ontario in the book. This was a very enjoyable read. 

I give this book    4***** stars out of 5*****

Review- Order of the Dragon ~Book 1 in the Warbler Peninsula Series

Review- Order of the Dragon ~Book 1 in the Warbler Peninsula Series  

by Siobhan Muir

Available at Amazon http://amzn.to/1lJSE2p

      

      Order of the Dragon is first and foremost a love story between two beings. Coming together is never easy for anyone and this couple doesn’t have it easy either. I truly enjoyed the word play between the two. Siobhan is a gifted storyteller who sucks the reader into the world of the protagonist and makes you want to turn every one of those pages to find out what comes next.

In the book the main character says “Oh, the story’s not finished. The best stories never are.”, and its true about this story. Siobhan leaves you wanting more of the tale. A truly enjoyable tale, with heat to spare.

4***** stars out of 5*****

Review - The Blacker Death

Available at Amazon 

http://www.amazon.ca/Blacker-Death-Ebola-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00OY1ZIEE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431631532&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Blacker+Death

Review - The Blacker Death

By Larry Enright

        Bam Williams is a FBI agent, smoker, near retirement. He has an ex-wife and two grown kids, whom he hardly see because his life is the job. On the job all hell breaks out as his partner Billy Driscoll is suspected to have come in contact with EBOLA. Soon Philadelphia is in fear as Ebola spreads and Bam works behind the scenes to find out the source and try and stop it before it spreads further.  What follows is a thriller of the highest order. A rollercoaster ride, as we follow Bam in a compelling believable modern horror story.

      I truly enjoyed this book and the character of Bam Williams is a very likeable protagonist up against a terrifying unknown villain.  This is a story that could be ripped from the headlines that take the readers on a wild ride to its stunning conclusion.  I only hope that Mr. Enright will write another Bam Williams, FBI book, so we can enjoy this delightful character once more.

4***** stars out of 5*****

Embryo 5- Silver Girl Review

Available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U1Y06FO

Embryo 5- Silver Girl Review

  This book Embryo Five -Silver Girl is a little different than the other five, somehow it seems a little darker, a little sadder, than the other four. The story begins with the murder of an actress friend of Jill’s and David’s, one Jody Merrill. Jody had touched David and Jill. Her sad life before she became an actress had drawn her to the warmth and family life that David, Jill, Jesse and the other interns had. David and Jill are devastated at her lost and strive to help the police find her murderer.

This book has a solid story and an interesting plot which pulls the reader along at a satisfying pace. The reader is captivated by the young family of David, Jill and the miracle child Jesse as he grows and blossoms and by the gripping twists and turns as we solve the murder right alongside of Jill and David. A very satiating read in the simply brilliant Embryo series by J. A. Schneider. 

4***** stars out of 5*****

Review - Embryo 4- Catch Me

Review - Embryo 4- Catch Me

Available at Amazon  http://www.amazon.ca/CATCH-ME-EMBRYO-Levine-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00NFZK7P0

    If you haven't read books one through three your missing part of the story and I suggest you read them as they give you the back story of Jesse the miracle baby. Besides they really are wonderful reads. 

   Jesse the baby that was grown and farmed in a fake womb is about to celebrate his birthday with a big conference and party with doctor’s coming from around the world. Jill and David are not happy about it, but they know scientifically necessary to parade Jesse in front of the world before they can celebrate his birthday in their little family. The reader sees more of Jesse’s development. Their hospital jobs as doctors bring them in to the sphere of a killer.  ‘The Couple killer’ sees David and Jill and wants to best them. He taunts David and the police with ‘Catch me’.  What follows is a cat and mouse game between the illusive killer and David and Jill.

The attention to detail and the medical jargon that the author uses make this story a book worth reading. An action packed thriller that keeps you glued to the pages as you wonder how far this killer will go to achieve his twisted mind’s ends. A very enjoyable read.

4***** stars out of 5*****

Review- God's Buried Children by Daniel Farcas

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.

Review- God's Buried Children by Daniel Farcas




Available at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBU7I66

The author assures me the proceeds going to  www.MyAmericanKids.com an organization that helps immigrant children

                              Review: God's Buried Children by Daniel Farcas

   A heartbreaking gritty true life story of growing up in Bucharest orphanage, unwanted, unloved and tortured by the very people who were supposed to protect him. Daniel is brutally honest about his escape and further life on the streets, and in the underground; existing and coping with the horrors of everyday life as a child beggar. You see through that child's eyes, the true account of what happened to him and the other children. 
   This account will make you cry for the child, Daniel and others, who were never allowed to be children and make you hope and pray no child should ever go through this again. But it is also a story of eternal hope and resilience even in dark times and Daniel’s ultimate strength and survival to carry on and achieve a voice for those children with this account. Please note though that this book could have used an editor it is still an exceptional story.

3 Stars out of five

***                 *****

Devil’s Nightmare Premonitions-Review

Devil’s Nightmare Premonitions-Review

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book Devil’s Nightmare Premonitions. I had read the previous book in the series and enjoyed every moment of it.

http://www.amazon.com/Devils-Nightmare-Premonitions-Book-ebook/dp/B00MQGAJ1Q

    Two years have passed since Aaron Sanders retired from the Austin Police Department after what the media has called The Saint Hedwig Massacre. Adam decides to make a new life away as a cop away from the tragedy and moves his family to a sleepy small town in Lost Maples. Something has relocated with his family however as Aaron is once again caught in the middle of a mysterious investigation that has an eerie familiarity. Aaron is certain he knows what it is but is he?

In Devil’s Nightmare Premonitions the reader taken on a journey through spine-tingling situations also delves into the character’s minds. We get to know more about Aaron and his family as Cody is threatened yet again. As the reader I found myself scared, shaken and transfixed with horror as I continued to read the gripping conclusion.

I give this book

4 and 1/ 2**** out of 5 *****

Review The Demeter Code

The Demeter Code Review





available at Amazon
By Russell Brooks

In the Demeter Code Ridley Fox is back working with Doctor Nita Parris attempting to find out why a man on the world’s terrorist list wants a hard drive. The hard drive and other operatives lead Fox and Parris to a newer bigger threat on America. But who and what their motives are is the biggest surprise for the agents, who must try to stop them before they kill again this time on American soil.

One of the criticisms I had of Russell Brooks’ first book in this series, which the character of Doctor Nita Parris needed fleshing out and you learn more about Nita’s background in this book and this makes the book more satisfying. Russell Brooks took the time to research and it shows in every loving, action detail. The weapons are believable and even scary.

I enjoyed reading this page turner and would recommend this book to those who enjoy a rich story with love scenes, combat and fight scenes as well written dialogue and passages.

4**** out of 5 *****

Review Unsavory Delicacies

Unsavory Delicacies Review

Available at Amazon
By Russell Brooks

Two word  Review- Deliciously Good

In Crème Brûlée

Monique Beauvais attempts to romance a software genius to sell her technology that can control drones and will dispose of him once she gets it.

In Shashlyk and Morezhenoe

CIA operative Ridley Fox and his team attempt to get documents much like ‘Ethan Hunt’ in Mission Impossible in disguise. What Ridley finds is a bombshell.

In To the Last Bite

A food critic gets a surprise.

A lot of this book has deliciously dark humour that most readers will relish and add to the books enjoyment.  These stories are a delight and fun to read.

4 ****out of 5*****

Review Pandora’s Succession Review

Pandora’s Succession Review

available at Amazon 

By Russell Brooks

Ridley Fox is an agent with the CIA; his worlds collide as he is sent to investigate the consortium Arms of Ares who is also responsible for the death of his fiancée. Arms of Ares has weaponized a deadly virus that if unleashed could end the world. Misinformed and hoodwinked at every turn Ridley must use all his abilities and intelligence to decipher the truth and save the world.  

Russell Brooks has created an action packed book that begins and ends with conflict. The book is well researched as details seem to ring too true. Reading the book the reader can imagine all of this happening especially given the recent Ebola news and how that is spreading. Mr. Brooks does keep the reader in suspense; the fight and confrontation scenes are detailed in such a way that I could picture them all and seemed very authentic.  I also liked the selection of names and the villain’s names specifically, but I would have liked more information on Doctor Nita Parris and a little more delving into her character so I could have understood her better.

A very enjoyable action thriller as someone who enjoys reading ‘Jack Reacher’ books and the ‘Bourne’ books I think readers who like those books would enjoy this one.

3 *** stars out of 5***** 

Review - The Bear

Review - The Bear

By Claire Cameron

Anna and Stick placed in a metal cooler by their father to protect them from the bear terrorizing their campground, exit finally and see their mother blooded and she tells Anna to take Stick(Alex) in the canoe away from danger and the bear. a haunting suspenseful tale as almost six year old Anna strives to look after her two year old brother and escape the Bear's clutches. Claire Cameron manages to capture the children’s voices so that the reader is right there with them. A well written story, with haunting, and heartbreaking bravery, in a tale of a fight for survival.

4***** stars out of 5***** 

Review - Embryo 3 -Rainey and Levine

Review - Embryo 3 -Rainey and Levine

By J.A.Schneider

     Jesse the baby that was grown and farmed in a fake womb is under threat again from protesters. Jill wants to adopt him but David worries they’re involvement as his parents would make life more difficult for the baby as they’d identify him. Meanwhile someone has taken their religious fervor too far and threatens and harms anyone who they believe are the devil’s tools. Jill with David’s help must seek out the zealot before they can harm the hospital or Jesse.

     Embryo 3 will give the reader a rip roaring nail-biting, thrill ride, from start to finish, as we see more of Jesse’s world and the zealots who threaten him. They say the devil is in the details and the details make this book outstanding. All the little threads that the reader connects to solve the mystery written in the pages make this book an exceptional read. 

4***** stars out of 5*****

Review of Liquid Courage by B.J.Martinez

               Review of Liquid Courage

                       By B.J.Martinez

Available at Smashwords 

         The rambling, fun, flirty way, the story unfolds amused this reader. I understand the way they met, flirted and all the simple attempts used to attract the object of her desire before she found her liquid courage. The story is a tender story of romance told with all the main character’s emotions raw and on view for the reader’s perusal.

         The only fault I can find with it is that we never know the main character’s or secondary character’s names. I would really have liked just a simple introduction to them, like her name or someone else saying to him so on so whatever name this is the main character’s name. I still however highly recommend this story for a fun, sexy romance read.

 3*** stars out of 5*****

Review of After Party by B.J.Martinez

                Review of After Party  a short story by B.J.Martinez

available at Smashwords 

          Diego Bonifacio is a powerful CEO of a software company but underneath he’s still that little shy insecure poor boy from Miami, he’s been in love with Anne Geller, his companies marketing director for years, but worries that making a move will ruin their friendship. The characters are playful and the dialogue is fun to read. The romance slow building and fun to read finds the reader rooting for them to get together and when they do fireworks. A great short story read for those who love a good romance.

4 **** out of 5***** 

B.J.Martinez can be reached at https://twitter.com/thepocketgeek

and  at     www.seraphim7.com    his website

Excerpt from Unravelled by @MKTod & Review

In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of WWI, introducing a debut novel by Canadian author M.K. Tod.

UNRAVELLED by M.K. Tod      

Book Review Unravelled

 Unravelled is the story of a couple Edward and Ann Jamieson and their relationship and how it is impacted by two world wars. The author delves into both husband and wife’s reactions to difficult conditions and distance war can bring to a marriage. The writer has done a lot of research and it shows with the attention to small details about the husband’s jobs in the wars and other character’s occupation’s descriptions. Reading about war is often fraught with tears for the reader, due to the carnage done in the two world wars and this book is no exception as the reader gets to experience the war through the writer’s character’s eyes.  While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I felt the book could be divided into two parts. The writer could have started with Edward participating in in World War 1 and it’s aftermath on the main character afterwards and then the second book starting with World War II and how it affected the couple. 

   Anyone who enjoys character rich and historically accurate world war books will enjoy this novel. This manuscript shows the gritty underside of war and how it affects not only soldiers, but those left behind and how we struggle to make sense of it all, while still trying to maintain relationships in a crumbling world.

31/2**** out of 5***** 

Read Chapters One and Two of UNRAVELLED (click on chapters one and two.)

Unravelled is available in paperback and e-book formats from Amazon (US, Canada and elsewhere), Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iTunes. please check out my review of Unravelled and your chance to win this book from September 24, 2013- October 1, 2013 in your choice e-book or paperback here

Two wars. Two affairs. One marriage. Set at the intersection of love and war, Unravelled delivers a page-turning mixture of emotion and sacrifice.

PRAISE FOR UNRAVELLED 

'A sweeping story of love and war with much of the style of Brief Encounter and the passionate intensity of Birdsong.' Jenny Barden, author of Mistress of the Sea

Unravelled 'deftly illuminates the subtle stirrings of the human heart as movingly as it depicts the horrors of battle.' Barbara Kyle, author of Blood Between Queens

'A beautiful rendering of the healing journey of two war torn hearts.' Elisabeth Storrs, author of The Golden Dice

'A compulsive and convincing read.' Helen Hollick, author of historical fiction and historical adventure

'M.K. Tod's Unravelled beautifully evokes an era of heightened tension, in which her characters' decisions become all the more heart-rending.' Anne Easter Smith, author of A Rose for the Crown

'An engrossing historical saga.' Sarah Johnson, Historical Novel Society Book Review Editor and author of two historical fiction guides

'Character rich and historically gritty action on how war truly effects families and relationships in a crumbling world.'  Sheilagh Lee

~~~~~

M.K. Tod had a successful business career until a move to Hong Kong prompted an unexpected hiatus. Using that time to research her family history ultimately resulted in Unravelled and a new career as a writer. Beyond her debut novel, Mary has written two other novels with WWI settings. She blogs at awriterofhistory.com and is a book reviewer for the Historical Novel Society. In 2012, Mary conducted a unique international reader survey on the topic of historical fiction. 

UNRAVELLED release date: September 19, 2013. 

A book launch event for UNRAVELLED will be held on October 8, 2013 starting at 7 p.m. at the Duke of York at 39 Prince Arthur Avenue in Toronto, Canada.

CONNECT WITH M.K. TOD 

Blog: A Writer Of History

Facebook Page: M.K. Tod Author

Twitter: @MKTodAuthor

GoodReads: M.K. Tod

Review Muse by Mary Novik

Review Muse by Mary Novik 

Available at http://amzn.to/1dqPpUq  

       Review Muse by Mary Novik

          Solange LeBlanc is a known clairvoyant so when her harlot mother dies the abbey takes her into use her abilities to benefit the church. Raised in Benedictine abbey. Solange sees the value of learning all the techniques of a scribe and learns all questioning the values of the church. Solange becomes also at risk from visiting cleric and who see all as theirs to use as they see fit. Solange leaves the abbey and tries to ply her trade as a scribe but men feel there livelihood threatened and block her patrons. Solange has no choice but to continue to work for the unknown poet Petrarch and make her living by copy work. Solange believes on Petarach and gives herself to him but he lies by deed and omision for he loves another. He even refuses to legitimize their son by marry her like he promised.  He  then kidnaps their son which leaves Solange to reach out and find use her wits and charm to get those who in power to help her retrieve her son. 

Muse shows the reader the period of time when women were chattel and those in power in the church cared little but for their own comforts and the social change brought about by plague. In Solange the writer has created a fascinating character flawed, but feisty, quick to recover from setbacks, which makes the reader care about her all the more. I truly enjoyed this engrossing book.

4 1/ 2 ****> out of 5***** 

Where to find the author

Blog http://www.marynovik.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/MaryNovik2

Random house page http://www.randomhouse.ca/books/196651/muse-by-mary-novik

I received this book from Random house for @bookaliciousCA book chat. This review is my opinion an I have not received any compensation.

Review Witchwood Estate - Cursed- Book 3

Review of Witchwood Estate - Cursed- Book 3 by Patti Roberts


 Available at Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/329492
                                               &
 Amazon at  http://www.amazon.ca/Witchwood-Estate-Cursed-bk3-ebook/dp/B00DLGSZHA

          Witchwood Estate -Cursed, the third in the series doesn’t disappoint as it fills the reader in on some of the characters, we met in book one and book two. We find out more about River, Kat and the other people now surrounding Alexandria. We learn what happened to Alexandria and why Kat poisoned her. Just when you think you as the reader have a handle on what has occurred in the book, the author Patti Robert’s throws us another mystery. An enchanting fascinating series, Witchwood estates   keeps the reader enthralled and wanting the next installment in the series as always when you read any book in this progression.

Fans of television series with witches, vampires and other unnaturals such as Vampire diaries will love these books in this book chain.

4**** out of 5***** 

Review- My Warped Tours by Sydney S. Song

Available at Smashwords 

               Review- My Warped Tours by Sydney S. Song

         This book is a charming conversation with a friend, Ruthie, about Sydney’s travels. Sydney’s travels invariably end up with whacky or unexplained happenings, or as Sydney puts it “every city we visited punched back”. Witty and very humorous, Sydney Song has captured what all of us know can happen on a holiday, but always deny will occur. She also teaches the reader, how much more fun it can be when you accept the changes and those bad things that happen on holiday. As a reader, I thoroughly enjoyed reading her descriptions of the places she visited and what happened there. You’ll enjoy the quirky amusing anecdotes of Sydney’s family and personal vacations and even come to envy her warped tours.

4**** out of 5***** 

Review -Embryo 2-Crosshairs

Review- Embryo 2 - Crosshairs

By J. A.  Schneider.

Available at Amazon

                         Review- Embryo 2- Crosshairs

Jill and David recovering from trauma three days later now find themselves in the middle of a media storm. Their patients know the story and fawn over them. Their fellow doctors fuss over them and just when they think it can't get any worse, rape patients are brought in with messages written on them for Jill and David. Jill and David must once again work together to find out who the rapist is before he gets to them and the embryo in the neonatal unit. J. A. Schneider has followed up her first suspense filled medical thriller with this second one which is as good, or maybe even better than the first book in the series. The reader follows along with Jill and David as if you were there. A real tour de force story, which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat trying to determine who the villain, is after them.

5*****out of  5*****

The author maybe reached at https://twitter.com/JoyceSchneider1

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17725329-embryo-2

http://www.facebook.com/JASchneiderAuthor?skip_nax_wizard=true

Review- Embryo by J.A.Schneider

Review- Embryo by J.A.Schneider

Available at Amazon

The book starts out simply, a woman, pregnant, starts having symptoms she doesn’t understand of bleeding from the mouth collapses in the street and is brought to hospital. Dr. Jill Raney an obstetric intern begins to question the mortalities of women and their babies who have come to the renowned fertility and genetic engineer research hospital. Jill risks her career to find the truth and solve why some patients have died even if it jeopardizes her budding romance with her supervising physician and his career.

This is in a thrilling, page turning story. The attention to the correct medical jargon and information makes this tale more believable.  The reader finds themself drawn into this medical thriller, as the mystery starts to unravel and follows the threads to the stunning conclusion.

    4 1/2   **** out of  5 *****

The author maybe reached at 
https://twitter.com/JoyceSchneider1

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17725329-embryo-2

http://www.facebook.com/JASchneiderAuthor?skip_nax_wizard=true