#402 ~ Script Kiddie

Script Kiddie by Michael F. Stewart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars





Book #2 in Assured Destruction Series



I was very kindly sent a copy of the second book in Michael's Assured Destruction Series in return for an honest Review.

I was pleased to see that this second book kept up the same high quality of writing, in particular the characterisation and plot pace were done really well. Jan's character has more added depth and texture, which is pleasing - girl power is always a good read!

I am still worried about Peter, and fear that he will prove to be a down and dirty villain, but am clinging to some hope that all will be well, as Jan and her Mother clearly deserve a break within the story line ... see that's what I mean about characterisation, they seem real, which is always the sign of decent literary ability.

Very few errors found (I will as usual add a list of them in the full Blog Post), kudos to Michael for a good quality product.

From me 5 Stars, and I am eagerly looking forward to finding out how this all pans out.


Product Details:

As mentioned above, I was very kindly sent a copy by Michael, the Author, but you can pick a copy HERE.  At the time of writing this post the Kindle version was listed at £1.91 and the paperback at £5.72.


Errors/Bug Bears:

Loc 60: ... Haines peerss at each of us.....

Should be:  peers

Loc 293: Bank machines laugh at me when I near them.

Should be corrected to:  Bank machines laugh at me when I am near them.

Loc 1113: The drab brick and corrugate siding makes ....

Bug bear for me, I think it should be: corrugated


* * * * *

I am so behind with my Reviews' at the moment, but will try to at least get the outstanding "Read" books written up before the New Year.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#386 - The OneYou Love

The One You Love by Paul Pilkington

My rating: 5 of 5 stars




Book # 1 in the Emma Holden Mystery Trilogy




Originally, this book was featured as a DSOA on my Blog (if you are unsure of the acronym for DSOA, all will become clear if you read the blog!). Apart from the nice image of Tower Bridge as the cover image, the only thing that really grabbed my was the mention of "Emma Holden". Now, I have a friend called exactly that, so I decided I would download it whilst it was free, what did I have to loose?

Turns out I had a good deal to gain ....... and proves that you should never be hidebound in your choice of reading material by genre. Put simply, I LOVED IT. Just the right amount, of jeopardy, suspense and mystery. Perfectly paced plot and characterisation.

In other words, for me this was classified as a "not able to put downer".

A big fat 5 stars from me for this home-grown Author, just growing to prove that there are Indie Writers out there of the highest standard.

I love Mr Pilkington's style, and I was left wanting more, oh so much more from the story line .... I hesitate here to say too much, as I am keen not to add spoilers. Suffice to say, I can't wait to download the rest of the series (willingly paying for them) and also any other work he has produced.

Kudos should go to him for a quality product, I only found two things wrong, one of which was a bug bear. As usual, you can see my comments on these on my Blog Post #386 in October 2013 on the Toodles Book Club Blog.


Product Details:

Book 1 in the Emma Holden Myster Triology.  You will find details of his work in the Review by Series Page at the top of the blog.

As mentioned at the top of this post, it was a DSOA freebie at the time, at the time of writing though it's available ridiculously still as a freebie.  Run like merry hell and grab a copy HERE before he changes his mind.  Incidentally, currently it has near 2,000 Reviews and 4 stars, so clearly I am not the only one who loved it.

If you would like to find out more about Paul, the visit his Website HERE.

Please also visit his Facebook page HERE and give him some feedback and a bit of love in the way of a "like".



Errors/Bug Bears:

The first was just a bug bear really, at Page 11 the use of 'downtown London', made me think he was an American, and not home grown talent.  Obviously, I am a really old bird and maybe the phrase is commonly used in the UK by the younger peeps.

Page 125: 'That's not fair,' he said, suddenly filling up.  'It was your mother who promised me not to tell you both'.

I could be wrong, but I think the Author's intention was to convey that the mother had made the father promise not to tell them.  I could be wrong though, and would be interested in feedback from Paul on this one.

Apart from that it was a quality product.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download on Amazon (DSOA)

Haunted From Within

(Maciek's Story (Book 1)

Ian CP Irvine

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Mystery > Crime > Thriller > Suspense

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

Life is way too busy at the moment, and so it's not so much Daily Picks as every few days ........ I thought I would go a bit off piste this time and choose a Suspense.

With quite a few 4 and 5 star reviews, this seems to fit the bill:

When Peter Nicolson, a reporter with the Edinburgh Evening News, is almost killed by a gang leader out to make his mark, the only way to save his life is through a double kidney transplant. One of the first people in the world to be treated with the new genetic wonder drug 'SP-X4', Peter makes a remarkable

recovery. Yet as he recovers, his personality begins to change, and he discovers that he can see visions of unsolved killings committed by a murderer that no one has ever caught. Peter sets out to solve the murders, to track down the killer, and find out the truth behind the visions that he sees. 

As time progresses, and as Peter uncovers a trail of death that stretches across the United Kingdom and Europe, the makers of 'SP-X4' watch his actions from afar, anxious that he will uncover the incredible truth behind their new drug treatment, and conspiring to make sure he does not succeed in revealing it to the world. 

'Haunted From Within' is also the story of seven separate lives: readers will follow each character as the plot develops and their lives intersect,culminating in a surprise ending that few will predict.

Please beware: this book is based on fact: a medical phenomena that few understand and most are unaware of. At first, it may seem hard to believe. This is after all, just a story, a fast-paced thriller written to entertain you...but it will leave you wondering and talking about the definition of life' itself. Enjoy!

To get your copy whilst it's still free click HERE.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

Smoke & Mirrorz

Cynthia Lucas

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Magic > Mystery & Myth

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

I saw this one in pole position on the New Release page, and dismissed it at first glance, but then kept coming back to it .... for the most bizarre reason the cover reminded me of some of the Harry Potter set from yesterday's tour:  don't be mistaken though, the synopsis of the book is not anything like JK Rowling's, apart from the magic bit, but it was just a slightly dark and magical aura it gives off:

A woman on the run....in fear for her life

A down on his luck genie with an attitude working as a carnival magician. With limited powers and his own existence in serious danger, can he find the love in his heart and the power in his soul to save her?

Scheharazade ‘Scheri’ Bloom is on the run after marrying the man of her dreams...a wealthy lawyer who turns out to be more like a monster from her nightmares. Abused physically and emotionally and forced to be a prisoner in her own home, no matter how many times she tries to escape, he has the money, power and connections to have her tracked down and brought back to suffer the wrath of his anger at her leaving.

After finally finding a way to escape, she takes to the road and with the little bit of money she’d saved up running out fast, she soon finds herself drawn to a small-town carnival, where she hopes to make a few untraceable dollars working a ride or concession stand. Instead she meets the enigmatic and egotistical magician known as ‘Z’.

Amazed by Z’s skills in illusions, like the audiences who come to see him day in and day out, she soon finds herself in danger again...not so much from her abusive husband as from everything she doesn’t want to feel from the moment she lays eyes on the handsome entertainer who looks like an Arabian Knight come to life and seems to sense every secret she can’t tell him about herself.

What Scheri doesn’t know is that that Azizi ab’d al Jadu, the man known as ‘Z’ is harboring a few secrets himself. Magic is real, and not all illusions are ‘smoke and mirrors’. Z is no mortal man, but a half-breed Ifrit Jinn....a down on his luck genie, living as a carny here in the world of man. Born out of the forbidden love of a Jinn and a disobedient Angel, he is on the run from his own kind for refusing to abide the laws of both Jinn and Allah’s Watchers. And after breaking The Law and taking human form of his own free will to come through the large gold mirror that is his portal into the world of humans....he finds his once vast powers limited by the mortal realm and all the wondrous and distracting sensations of a human body.

Z has little interest in being anyone's savior...but when Scheri’s husband finally tracks her down with the help of one of Z's most dangerous enemies, Z soon finds that it's going to take more than magic to protect the woman who has stolen the heart he didn't know he had. Can he somehow regain the power he needs to save her?

You're going to have to trust me on this one ...... and pick up your Kindle download HERE whilst it's free.


Hugs

Kay

#379 - What Wild Moonlight

What Wild Moonlight

Victoria Lynne

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Historical > Romance > Mystery

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

Description:

On a bet, Nicholas Duvall, rakehell Earl of Barrington, assumes the role of a coach driver. When he witnesses Katya Alexander picking the pocket of a fellow passenger, her beauty, skill, and audacity captivate him.

Katya is exactly what he needs to retrieve an ancient family scroll that has been stolen from him. He makes her an ungentlemanly offer: pose as his mistress and help him retrieve a priceless family scroll. In return, he would offer her his protection.

Katya has her own reasons for agreeing to the deception, reasons that she must keep hidden from Nicholas: an age-old family feud that made them mortal enemies. Caught up in the glittering intrigue of 19th century Monaco, together they embark on a mission filled with danger and intrigue, 

Their plan was flawless, until Nicholas loses his heart to the beautiful stranger with secrets to burn, and the passion smouldering between them finally ignites, 

Product Details:

Free Kindle Download for me (I honestly can't remember if it was one of my Daily Selection Picks, put I would think it might have been), in March of this year.

At the time of writing this post, it's available as free download for Prime Members and listed at £1.92 for the rest of us.

368 pages in length.

¦¦¦¦¦¦¦

Summary/thoughts:

Overall not a bad read, but that might be a slightly false impression after the last Review (#378), which did not sit well with me.

The plot went along a brisk walk, but failed to fully pump up my heart rate.

Nicholas was a 5 on my Blake Alpha Male Scale - for those of you who don't know, Anthony Blake from A Gentleman's Honour is my perfect 10 Alpha Male).

Katya didn't really live up to her gypsy ancestry ... a little on the simpering and quiet side from me.  She should have been written with a little more fire.

I didn't predict the villain until it happened, which is always nice.

I also loved the little bits of humour in the book, it's just a shame that they were at the front end, and not evenly spaced throughout.  The Author clearly has it in her to be humorous, it would have been nice to see her carry it through in my opinion.


Rating:

Given that I liked the humour, the reasonable pace and I didn't predict the villain early on (I obviously would like you to think that it was the good writing, not the fact that I'm a bit dim and wasn't paying attention!):

4 Stars

ìììì

Errors/Bug Bears:

2% - "Muffled shouts of anger led to angry threats and bouts shoving" - bouts of shoving.

31% - "He saddled Avignon and left the yard a gentle cantor". - it should be canter as "cantor" is either a liturgical singer of leader of prayer, depending whether you are Christian of Jewish.  As far as I know horses can't sing .... Llamas/Alpacas can though, I've seen a whole group doing it together before, and it's one of the most joyous sounds.  Actually a shame I was too absorbed to record it, but we're going Llamas walking again soon....so fingers crossed I can record them en masse.




In case you don't know ...... and why would you, unless you have read my creative blog for a long time .... I love Llamas and Alpacas more than books!!
All the time we lived on a farm, I was sadly too busy to keep any, and now we don't live on a farm, I'm not busy and could keep them ... but, no land .... irony at its best.

I digress, back to the errors/bug bears ....

36% - Nicholas reigned Avignon to a halt beside the other mounts".  For goodness sake, it's reined.

36% - "But she restrained the urge to bit her hand to her hair and fuss". Firstly, I never like to see a sentence begin with "but" and secondly, "bit"? Would that be put perhaps?

37% - "A. call to gather for the next shooting match ...." - I am being a pedant country girl here, but it should be "next round".

37% - Again, a pedant country girl, but why are they shooting doves with rifles?  Shotguns would be used.  People shooting are known as 'guns' not "shooters".

72% - "He removed his own boots and socks, rolled up the leg of his pants, and submerged his feet in the stream".  - Arghh, please don't use pants, it not historically correct and drives me insane to the membrane (see lots of other posts for Reviews that use pants, there are many). In England pants are underwear, not trousers.  Whilst I'm on a rant .... please would also Authors' who write about Englishmen or Englishmen abroad please use a u in honour (Stephanie Laurens can manage to do it).

Somewhere from 72% to 83%, I forgot to write it down:  

"What I wanted was a simple brick house with rose gardens in back and a white picket fence in front." ....rose gardens in the back and a white picket fence in the front garden.

"Her hair smelled fresher than spring ram".  Okay, I'm hoping that was meant to be rain, although the mind boggles what spring ram smells like (at a guess testosterone, sweat and grass)?  It' spring ram is correct, it's not an attractive analogy in my opinion.

83% - "pants" - nooooooooooooooo!


Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download At Amazon

Holes in the Sky

Mark Reps

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Crime > Mystery > Thriller > Suspense

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

I'm keeping it brief today people, it's too hot to do more than lounge around and read .... not sit with a laptop on your, well ......lap ....... and type:

Who owns what is traditionally considered sacred? Can the Catholic Church legally conspire with the federal government to steal the most sacrosanct of Native American holy places? Holes in the Sky, the second in the series Small Town Sheriff: Big Time Trouble explores these questions in a clash of cultures mixed with mysterious deaths.

In the middle of the night a priest sits in a rocking chair on a dip in the highway at the foot of Mount Graham. His fate is death when the driver of a semi-truck barreling down the road on an overnight haul sends him to his maker. Sheriff Zeb Hanks is certain that Father McNamara’s death is a suicide. Mounting evidence begins to tell him otherwise. Former sheriff, Jake Dablo, in his role as county commissioner, senses that potentially unscrupulous land deals are occurring on Mount Graham. Sheriff Hanks reluctantly agrees to help. Jake uncovers a dummy corporation that is purchasing very specific properties on Mount Graham. Eskadi Black Robes, tribal chairman of the San Carlos Reservation, discovers that these properties are among the holiest places in Apache religion. Eskadi is certain they are being foreclosed upon and confiscated by the federal government. 

On the San Carlos Reservation a tribal gathering is called by Medicine Man, Jimmy Song Bird. Song Bird has had a vision that great harm will come to the Apache people if they fail to pay heed to the Gods that inhabit Mount Graham. His vision is interpreted as a call for action. Meanwhile, Sheriff Hanks and his team must unravel the complex weave of sacred holy places, land rights and the ever increasing body count which means big time trouble for the small town sheriff.

The story is a fictionalized tale set in a real place (Mount Graham, Safford, Arizona) around a real event (a joint venture involving the Vatican, University of Arizona, the German Government, Max Planck Institute and the United States Government) in the building of a telescope on sacred Apache land using eminent domain.

It's free .... so why not download it and have an afternoon reading.  Click HERE.


On Amazon today my rating is (>) 3,727. I suppose that I'm still heading in the right direction, but very slowly now. I would love to get to the top 1,000 Reviewers' some day ....... so if you find the Daily Kindle Downloads info useful please go over to my Reviews on Amazon and leave me some positive feedback  on some of my reviews (which helps my rating, and will earn you my grateful thanks).

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

Silent Heart

Susan Simone

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Suspense > Mystery

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

It's a New Release with 1 Review (you know by now if you read the Blog regularly how I feel about just 1 5 star review ... suspicious!), but the description seems quite interesting, so we're going to give this one a go:

Paige was alone when she saw them... Deaf from birth and separated from her twin brother, she lived alone in her silent world. When she witnessed a murder it thrust her headlong into a whirlwind she never dreamed; running for her life from dangerous men out for her death, and only a handsome stranger to help her and show her just how strong she could be along the way.

There don't appear to be any tags as I found it on the New Release section, but the feel is contemporary, with suspense and a handsome stranger is always good .... as long as he's not downright evil!!!

I'm not sure if this is an Indie Writer, that has used an Editor, as one is credited, but I suspect it is (although that is by now way, shape or form a bad thing).  I've downloaded my copy, get yours HERE .... it's free currently.

On Amazon today my rating is (<) 3,771. I suppose that I'm still heading in the right direction, but very slowly now. I would love to get to the top 1,000 Reviewers' some day ....... so if you find the Daily Kindle Downloads info useful please go over to my Reviews on Amazon and leave me some positive feedback  on some of my reviews (which helps my rating, and will earn you my grateful thanks).

Hugs

Kay

#374 - Seductive Secrets

Seductive Secrets

(Secret Lives Series:  Book 1)

Coleen Connally

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Historical > Romance > Suspense and Mystery

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

Description:

Someone wants Alyce Hythe dead… 

Shunned from London society for being the daughter of England’s most notorious spy, Alyce Hythe desires only to clear her father’s name. For years, she has been hidden away from all prying eyes, given a new identity and told to forget who she was. But strange things have been happening causing old rumors to once more be whispered. Long has Lord Julian Casvelyn lived with guilt brought on when his brother was murdered by England’s most infamous traitor. But one eventful night has changed everything Lord Julian believed about his brother’s death. Never did he suspect the woman he has just saved from certain harm is the daughter of that man. Now Julian is caught in midst of a conspiracy and desire for that woman. Thrown together by fate, the two search for answers long denied them and along the way discover a love that can free them both.

Product Details:

This is another free Kindle download I got hold of in March this year.  At the time of writing it's still available for free at Amazon, you can get it by clicking  HERE.

Book 1 in the Seductive Secrets Series

316 pages

* * * * *

Summary/thoughts:

I really wanted to like this one more that I actually did.  At times the plot slowed down, and it because a little boring.  Unfortunately, there were a whole litany of bug/bears and errors, and that impinged on by enjoyment, and could have a lot to do with my feeling that the plot slowed down.  I am quite an unforgiving reader it seems.

Don't hate me, I did like it ..... but, I did not Love it.  If the errors were cleaned up and some of further editing took place, it would probably be worth a further star in the rating.  I am always aware that one man's meat is another man's poison, so I know from the some of the other Reviews that Readers' found it good, conversely there were others like me who were appalled by the English.

If you read any of my other Reviews you will probably have worked out that I can be harsh, but fair and honest about a book, and none of the above is meant to offend .... I would happily offer to Beta read for this Author in the future to ensure she delivers a better quality product.

On a positive note, I love the cover.

Rating:

The plot was relatively okay, but I failed to fully engage with the characters.  Also, due to the litany of Bug Bears/Errors I came across, and having given it careful thought, I think it couldn't score higher than:

3 Stars

Errors/Bug Bears:

Eyes down for a full house, there were unfortunately many in my personal opinion. The list below is not all, as sometimes I just couldn't be bothered to pick up my notebook and pen to note it down.

Page 20 (8%):  "He leaned up, pulled his shirt out of his pants, and then unbuttoned it".  This is a particular bug bear of mine with Historical novels based in England.  Please do not use "pants" as it isn't appropriate.  Use breeches, pantaloons or even trousers.

Page 20 (8%):  "Julian looked at young woman and lifted her face with a firm hold". The young woman.

Page 23 (9%): "I wrote the colonel to let me go to London".  I wrote to the Colonel to let me go to London.

Page 27 (10%):  "pants" - see comments regarding Page 20.

Page 30 (11%): "Every year he disappointed those poor Mommas".  Reminder for the Author this is based in England we don't use Mommas, Mamas is the correct word.

Page 30 (11%):  "Good Gawd".  This is more common slang, probably not used by the upper echelon, it would have been more appropriate to use Good God.

Page 33 (12%): "Good Gawd".  See comment above.

Page 38 (14%): "Good Gawd". See comment above.

Page 44 (15%): "Good Gawd".  See comment above.

Page 45 (16%): "... he served as a MP ...".  It should be an MP.

Page 52 (18%):  "The day she was told her father passed etched in her mind for eternity".  Firstly, had passed if you must.  Secondly, passed is such an unattractive phase.  Died would have been been a better word to use in my opinion.

Page 53 (18%):  "At Charles's insistence a whole of a new wardrobe had been ordered for her".  At Charles's insistence a whole new wardrobe had been ordered for her.

Page 55 (19%): "lieutenant".  Capital letter for Lieutenant x 2 on this page.

Page 104 (34%):  "It seems a strange situation that her own family has no knowledge of where she is at".  It seems a strange situation her her own family has no knowledge of where she is or was.

Page 104 (34%):  "As for the introducing Miss Rufford to society".  As for introducing Miss Rufford to Society.

Page 104 (34%):  "... the duke said with amusement within his voice".  The Duke said with amusement in his voice.

Page 106 (35%):  "I have well seen to her welfare ....".  It is debatable that "well" may have been used in that time period.  However, in my opinion it simply smacks of Chav, and I keep replaying they Armstrong and Miller Sketches in my mind involving the two World War II airmen.  So we will call this one, and the others I noted (and didn't) a bug bear rather than an error.

Page 108 (35%):  "I need to hold a word with you". I need to have a conversation with you, I need to discuss this with you, or I need to have a word with you.  I must have discourse with you, but be also be time appropriate.

Page 108 (35%): "Which seems to have gotten quite out of hand".  Which seems to have got quite out of hand.

Page 109 (36%):  "I find myself in need to take a walk".  I find myself in need of a walk, or I need to go for a walk.

Page 130 (43%):  "I told Momma".  I told Mama.

Page 150 (50%):  "princes".  Initial capital letter Princes.

Page 152 (50%):  "Good Gawd".  See comments for Page 30.

Page 160 (53%):   "...have well seen to my needs".  Have seen to my needs well.

Page 183 (60%):  "In the rapture of our bliss you want to go see Lord Tregilgas?". In the rapture of our bliss you wou want to go and see Lord Tregilgas?

Page 221 (72%):  "... her eyes fixated upon him".  Her eyes fixed on him.

Page 228 (74%):  "princes".  Initial Capital letter for Princes.

Page 236 (76%):  "Alyce has always mainted that Lieutenant Casvelyn woke her and took her Evermonde, ....".  Took her to Evermonde.

Page 250 (81%):  "He had dispensed with his waistcoat, dressed in a loosen shirt and breeches".  Loosend shirt or loose shirt.  Oh, she can use breeches!

Page 258 (83%):  "chimneys stacks".  Chimney stacks.

Page 259 (83%):  "Julian had made his intention made clear to all".  That's a mess, it's singularly unattractive phraseology.  Better to have said:  Julian had made his intentions clear to all.

Page 260 (83%):  "I felt as though I falling off an endless cliff.".  I felt as if I were falling off an endless cliff.

Page 260 (83%):  "... for most my life".  For most of my life.
 Initial upper case letter Lieutenant.
Page 262 (84%):  "... that I will have no heir to carry on on our ....".  An extra on ... that I will have no heir to carry on our ...

Page 267 (86%):  "The signature upon the forms well signalled a forgery".  See Page 106 comments about "well".

Page 268 (86%) x 2:  "general".  Initial upper case letter General.

Page 271 (87%) x 2:  "lieutenant".  Initial upper case letter General.

Page 282 (91%):  "pants".  See comments for Page 27.

Page 286 (92%):  "She had died given birth to a bastard". Giving birth.

Page 297 (96%):  "I have the special licence in my pocket, which well should have been used before this day".  Still chuckling about the use of "well - see comments for Page 106.

Page 298 (96%):  "princes".  Initial capital letter Princes.

Page 300 (97%):  "lieutenant".  Initial capital letter Lieutenant.

Phew that's quite a list, and as I mentioned above, I don't think I listed all of them.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#369 - Cold Courage

Cold Courage

Pekka Hiltunen

Books > Fiction > Crime > Mystery

Description:

When Lia witnesses a disturbing scene on the way to work, she, like the rest of the city of London, is captivated and horrified. As details unfurl in the media the brutal truth transpires - a Latvian prostitute has been killed, her body run over by a bulldozer and then placed in the trunk of a car to be found. As the weeks pass and no leads are found, the story quickly disintegrates but Lia can't easily forget. So when she meets Mari in a late night bar one night she feels fate might have brought them together. Like her, Mari is a Finnish woman in London finding her way, somewhat of an outsider, very independent. But there is much more to Mari than meets the eye: she is a psychologist who possesses an unnatural way of being able to 'read' people, see into their inner most thoughts and pre-empt their actions. She uses her 'gift' to try to help people and has formed a close unit she calls the Studio, a kind of team of investigators, who are not beyond breaking the law to put the worlds to rights. Mari and Lia strike up a firm friendship and when Lia shares her plaguing thoughts about the murder, Mari thinks she and the members of the Studio can help where the police have failed. But Mari and Lia are about to step foot into extremely dangerous territory, especially as Mari has a will to control others, take vengeance on those she deems deserve it and use the Studio to unscrupulous ends.

Product Details:

* I was provided with a hardback copy of this book by the First Reads Scheme on Good Reads.

Hardback and Kindle HERE.

* * * * *

Summary/thoughts:

{This review may contain a few spoilers}

My first impression of the cover was that it might well prove to be a very dark and forbidding read, and I wasn't particularly looking forward to it. So, I opened it not with a little trepidation.

Having just finished, I am happy to report that it exceeded my expectations, and then some. It just shows, one should not really judge a book by its cover!

I cannot deny that it wasn't difficult subjects being dealt with: murder, fraud, brutality, prostitution, domestic abuse and manipulation of a political party for personal gain and exploitation. However, it was dealt with very sympathetically.

Quite simply the writing was an exceptional quality, with well formed characters. We are treated to a well thought through plot and a nice pace that keeps the pages turning.

Lia in particular was written well. There were glimpses into her past, but the reader is not left to feel not that there wasn't sufficient back story to judge her abilities and vulnerabilities.

As far as Mari was concerned I was left with the distinct impression that there was much more to her than met the eye. She had a darker side, and it left me feeling more distrustful of her motives as the plot moved along. I still am not completely sure in my own mind whether she was likeable. Certainly she came across as somewhat manipulative, but was that really for the good of mankind of by way of her own self-service? Was it due to her past or her complex personality? Without a doubt Pekka wrote a multi-layered and complex personality, and maybe that Mari was intentionally written to be a 'shifting sands' character, with the reader making up his or her own mind about her.

The quality of the writing made me hope he will go on to write something more that will reveal further Mari and her work (be it for good of bad).

Having felt invested in Lia too, I'm left with a strong need to know more of her future. 



Rating:

Five stars for me for this book, highly recommended. Kudos to Pekka for an exception piece of writing, and fingers crossed he goes on to write a sequel.

Errors / Bug Bears:

None - kudos to the Author and Publisher for a fabulous product.

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

The Throne of Gammalon (Dynasty O'Shea ~ Clarissa Cartharn)
*NEW AUTHOR

•  Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Children's Fiction > Literature > Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror > Action & Adventure
• Indie Writer (Self-published)
• 
  

I'm all about time travel at the moment, having just finished "Daughter of Time" by Sarah Woodbury (a previous Daily Selection that is still available for free download), and so this offering caught my eye:

The Kingdom of Gammalon is taken siege by evil Lord Dravidor of Dark Vale. Its army has been driven out of the kingdom and now seeking refuge in the caves of Mount Kiznon. Their only hope lies in a man that lives in a different world- the present.

Jack O'Shea, the crown prince of Gammalon takes refuge in the present world upon directions by the General of the Gammalonian Army as they seek to reinforce soldiers and weapons after a gruesome battle with the Dark Vale army. Stuck in the present world for eighteen years, he has never spoken of his heritage to his children. So when he is recalled to save Gammalon, he least expects that his four children will be journeying with him to the World of Spassenia. As they cross the gates of dimensions, they enter a world unlike they've ever known-one where magic and power prevail over all who live in it. With perils at every turn they take, they must seek the alliance of the mythical shadow warriors of the Tsez Xian to win the war against Dravidor.

It's had a few reasonable reviews and is available as a free download HERE.

I bang on endlessly about covers, but I have to say that this one is not a particular favourite ... having said that it caught my eye, so maybe it works on some kind of subliminal level.

On Amazon today my rating has slipped back down again to 6,277 (<) - I am still heading in the right direction.  I would love to get to the top 1,000 Reviewers' some day .... so if you find the Daily Kindle Download info useful please go over to my Reviews on Amazon and leave me some positive feedback - which helps my rating, and will earn you my grateful thanks.

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

Death at Primrose Hill ~ Rebecca Moisio

*NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

Indie Writer (Self-published)

No reviews yet for this historical romance, which apparently has a murder/suspense element too:

In 1924 England, young and single are the calling card to matchmakers and would-be cupids. Which is the case with Rebecca Highsmith, and her matchmaking aunt; a woman who believes her “spinster” niece is destined for quick marriage as soon as she finds the right man. After being dragged to a coastal party and expected to find her one true love, what Rebecca and the other guests really find is a corpse. 

What was originally a bid for love at first sight becomes a twisted game of killer hide-and-seek, as Rebecca races to discover the identity of the murderer before they strike again. Nothing will ever be the same at the Mansion on Penrose Hill! 

This is Rebecca's debut novel, and "promises thrilling twists and a climactic ending that will keep readers riveted".  

Quite a boast, plus a pretty cover image had me reaching for the download button. You can find it available as a free download HERE .

On Amazon today my rating has slipped a few places back to 6,493 (<) - although I should not really complain as overall I am heading in the right direction.  I would love to get to the top 1,000 Reviewers' some day .... so if you find the Daily Kindle Download info useful please go over to my Reviews on Amazon and leave me some positive feedback - which helps my rating, and will earn you my grateful thanks.

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

Rainy Nights ~ J R Rain

*NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Mystery > Hard-Boiled

Indie Writer (Self-published)

Oh bite me! ..... what if I have selected another Vampiric novel today, well actually bite me three times as it's a 3 in 1.  Number 1 in the above category, and about number 39 in the free listing.

MOON DANCE

Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire. Now the world at large thinks Samantha has developed a rare skin disease, a disease which forces her to quit her day job and stay out of the light of the sun. Now working the night shift as a private investigator, Samantha is hired by Kingsley Fulcrum to investigate the murder attempt on his life, a horrific scene captured on TV and seen around the country. But as the case unfolds, Samantha discovers Kingsley isn't exactly what he appears to be; after all, there is a reason why he survived five shots to the head.

DARK HORSE

Dark Horse takes place in Huntington Beach, California. Surf City, USA. Written in the tradition of Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe, Dark Horse introduces a new hard-hitting, wise-cracking hero with a modern twist. When high school student Derrick Booker, the only black student at a posh Orange County high school, is accused of killing his white girlfriend, ex-college football hero and detective Jim Knighthorse is hired to dig a little deeper into the murder. It doesn't take long for Knighthorse to realize that not all is as it seems at tranquil Huntington High, from a band director who preys on the innocent to a vice-principal with a secret agenda of her own. Not to mention someone's hired a professional killer to keep Knighthorse permanently off the case.

THE VAMPIRE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Three years ago, high school student Veronica Fortune witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. Now armed and dangerous, she sets out to hunt down the very thing that destroyed her life. That is, until she disappears. Spinoza is a private investigator who specializes in finding the missing. He's good at what he does. Damn good. But he's also a recovering alcoholic and a royal mess. Hired to find Veronica, Spinoza won't let his personal demons—or demons of any kind—get in the way of finding the truth about the missing girl. Now following a bizarre set of clues that leads him into stranger and stranger territory, Spinoza is about to come face-to-face with something legendary...and something hungry for blood.

There are only 8 reviews, but they've all given 5 stars.  I've just downloaded it  (as with all my freebie selections) and it's joined the growing list of titles on my Kindle until I get to it. You can find it available as a free download HERE .

On Amazon today my rating remained has gone back up a bit to 6,483 (>) - although I should not really complain as overall I am heading in the right direction.  I would love to get to the top 1,000 Reviewers' some day .... so if you find the Daily Kindle Download info useful please go over to my Reviews on Amazon and leave me some positive feedback - which helps my rating, and will earn you my grateful thanks.

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

Beyond Midnight ~ Antionette Stockenberg

* NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Mystery > Women Sleuths

Indie Writer (Self-published)

Currently Number 54 on the Amazon Kindle Free Best Seller List (Number 3 in it's actual category above), so I thought I would recommend this today. I was attracted by the "Salem" link, which I always find fascinating.

You can find it available as a free download HERE.

Get me ..... my rating is down to 7,493 today (<).  I would love to get to the top 1,000 Reviewers' some day .... so if you find the Daily Kindle Download info useful please go over to my Reviews on Amazon and leave me some positive feedback - which helps my rating, and will earn you my grateful thanks.

Hugs

Kay