#430 ~ Love Me Always

Love Me Always by Marie Higgins

My rating: 2 of 5 stars





Book #1 of the Field Brothers Series




The cover is absolutely beautiful, and this is what tempted me to feature it as a DSOA pick in April 2013.

Unfortunately, I was deceived by the beauty of the outside, and found something less than beautiful inside the covers.

It was reasonably well conceived with regards to the plot, but was badly let down by the research, or apparent lack of it by the author. There were more holes in it than a Swiss cheese.

The author seriously needs to go back to the drawing board, undertake some research, and fix the errors.

The grammar and punctuation was also poor. In fact, there was so much wrong with it that I struggled to finish, and completely gave up on my list of errors/bug bears. I would say that 30% was affected.

I awarded 1 star for the actual content, and 1 star for the cover - thank goodness they picked that cover!

I won't be reading any more of the series, and I won't be adding it to my Review by Series list either.


Product Details

I featured this as a DSOA pick on the Blog in April 2013.  It's available HERE for £2.56.  If a decent edit was undertaken, then this would be a fair price.


Errors/Bug Bears

There were so many that I gave up counting them.  


Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#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

#401 ~ Assured Destruction

Assured Destruction by Michael F. Stewart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars




#Book 1 in the Assured Destruction Series



This book was recommended by me on my Blog as a Daily Selection of a free Kindle file on Amazon. 

I wasn't totally sure when I started reading this novella that it would be of interest, but happily I'm pleased to report that quality of writing and an interesting story line do wonders to engage a reader - which is exactly what this book provides.

The main protagonist, teenage computer wizz kid, Jan Rose proved to be an all action, dive right on in and blow the consequences kind of girl with layers of depth and texture that create a fantastic character.

The plot moved along nicely and delight of delights no errors or bug bears were picked up. I'd like to commend the Author, Michael Stewart for providing such a good read of nice quality. One particular sentence, even though short, stood out as an example of what writers should be aiming for: 'Without lights, the dreariness shrouds me like a cold blanket'.

There was a certain sub-character that had my teeth on edge, and that was the boyfriend of Jan's mother ... even at the end of the book I still hadn't made up my mind about him.

I am happy to say that this was the first book in a series, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next book "Script Kiddie", but for the time being for this book it's a big 5 stars from me.


Product Details

You can obtain a copy of the Kindle download HERE, and at the time of writing I'm delighted to advise that it's still available free (the usual listed price is £6.01).

Genre:            Fiction, Contemporary, Crime, Suspense
Reading age:   Young Adult and above
Published by:   Non Sequitur Press
Pages:            188


Errors/Bug Bears

None, good quality product which I highly recommend.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#400 ~ Kalorama Shakedown

Kalorama Shakedown by Robert Bruce Stewart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Harry Reese Mysteries #3



I was very kindly sent a Kindle copy of this book by Robert Stewart in return for an honest Review.

The Novel was so redolent of an old black and white "gum shoe" movie, and it really bought back memories of Saturday afternoon snuggled up watching films based on plots like these when I was a kid. I really think that it would translate to a TV programme so well.

I loved the characterisations, in particular Emmie - her lines of dialogue were precious. The plot went along at a healthy clip too .... on the whole the work was funny, in places actually laugh out loud so ...... a big 4 Stars.

I will definitely be seeking out more in this series, the Harry Reese Mysteries. EDITED TO ADD:  Interestingly, upon updating the Review by Series list, I discovered that there is an Emmie Reese Series, I need some of those!


Product Details

As mentioned above, I was very kindly sent a copy by Bob Stewart in return for an honest review.

You can purchase a copy HERE.  The Kindle file is currently listed at £1.92 and the paperback copy at £5.42, both of which represent fairly decent value for money. 

Published by:              Street Car Mysteries
Number of pages:        274 pages
Genre:                       Fiction, Historical, Crime and Suspense
Reading Age:              Adult (contains no real sexual content)


Errors/Bug Bears

I know that I harp on about it endlessly, but I really hate "gotten", it's lazy so that was my main bug bear on this book.

There were in fact only two other errors, one of which is more punctuation:

Loc 275:  I saw a woman wrapped in furs leave the room where we had stopped.

I think it should be punctuated:   I saw a woman, wrapped in furs, leave the room where we had stopped.

Loc 3692:  Then she place her own bottle on the table.

Correct to:  Then she placed her own bottle on the table.


Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#394 ~ Tales of MI7: The Kramski Case

Tales of Mi7: The Kramski Case by J.J. Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars







JJ Ward, the Author very kindly sent me a copy of this book in return for an Honest Review (actually, you'd never get any other kind from me!).

At the start of this read I wasn't sure what to expect, it's a fairly plain cover after all .... so was astonished when I found that I was getting a bit annoyed when real life popped its head up and expected me to do stuff, rather than be left alone to read this. It certainly was a real page turner.

Having read it, I now love the fact that the cover is plain, it made me feel a like I should be meeting a man in dark glasses in a park somewhere to pick it up.

The subject matter would at first hint at full on "macho" type reading, but I'm a pink and frilly girlie and there was still plenty to keep me interested. There were quite a few strong females characters in this novel too, all written really, really well.

Not only did the Author conjure up some really great characters, but the dialogue was interesting and snappy, which made the whole Novel stand out as being Ian Fleming meets modern day, but written to perfection. Well done Mr Ward, you are now most definitely right at the top of favourite Authors' List. This is the kind of writing that would convert so well to TV Screen, or better still full on action film. I loved it, loved it ...... LOVED IT and it deserved the full 5 Stars Plus from me, and that's not just because I've fallen in love with Orlov!

There were a few small Errors, but as usual will be detailed in my full Blog Post Number #394 (October 2013). After I've updated the Blog, I'm off to search up more stuff written by James.


Product Details:

You can get this as a Kindle download HERE, listed at £1.88, which given that it's such a good read is well worth the money.

Published by:  Indie Writer/Self Published
Pages:           317
Reading Age:  Adult - with little to no sexual content
Genre:           Fiction > Contemporary > Spying > Suspense

The Author has also written another book in this Series, and I will update the Review by Series section as soon as possible with the details.  He also also written The House of Charles Swinter - check out his GoodReads page HERE. 


Errors/Bug Bears:

Not that many, as as this is a Kindle download, hopefully they will be corrected shortly.

Loc 1480:  He knew what coming.

Correct to:  He knew what was coming.

Loc 2387:  On the fourth day, Joy came down into for dinner for the first time.

Correct to:  On the fourth day, Joy came down for dinner for the first time.

Loc 3053:  Bronstein wore a V-necked jumper and chinos and had his had his left hand in his pocket.

Correct to:  Bronstein wore a V-necked jumper and chinos and had his had his his left hand in his pocket.

Loc 4784:  ... decent people and set yourself up as an tin pot dictator.

I think it should be corrected to:  ... decent people and set yourself up as a tin pot dictator.

Loc 5254:  The grandma retracted into her shell then peeped out as of she might still get her feelers bitten off.

Correct to:  The grandma retracted into her shell then peeped out as if she might still get her feelers bitten off.

Loc 5262:  ... I know how I feels, believe me.

I think it should be corrected to:  I know how it feels, believe me.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#391 ~ I'll See You in Your Dreams

I'll See You In Your Dreams by Tony Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars








A little different and quirky, reading this Novel seemed to fly past, which obviously meant that managed to engage me. In fact, I've just popped back to check how many pages, so that I wasn't getting confused and befuddled by thinking it was a Novella. No, 300 pages, so my comments about engagement stand.

Not normally a fan of plot leaps from past, present, etc., I didn't seem to mind it too much with this one - I fit nicely within the plot.

Without a doubt I would read more by Tony Miller, and would award this retro-Quantum Leap'esque interesting read 4 stars.


Product Details:

This was one of my DSOA's in March 2013, and it therefore goes without saying that it was a free Kindle download at the time.

At the time of writing this post though it's available HERE listed at £3.18 for Kindle version and £6.83 the Paperback.

Published by:   Indie Writer (Self Published) his GoodReads Fan page is HERE
Genre:            Fantasy > Time Travel > Paranormal > Suspense
Reading Age:   YA to Adult with no sexual content as such


Errors/Bug Bears:

A nice surprise to find very few errors in this one - Kudos to Mr Miller for delivering a quality product.

Loc 1279:  Now keep your eyes close until I say to open them ...

Correct to:  Now keep your eyes closed until I say to open them ...

Loc 3113:  I'm in need of two thorough background checks on a couple foreigners in Fresno.

More a Bug Bear for me, although it's colloquial dialogue, the use of couple rather than couples grates.

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)

Inconvenient Consequences

CS Day

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Contemporary > Suspense

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

Well, this one seems a little different, so I thought I would give it a go, especially as we are all a little addicted to technology these days:

Would you trust technology with your life?

Marin Massee is a computer programmer who prefers technology to people. People have let her down in the past. Technology has not. While designing a database and analysis system for a Pittsburgh hospital, she uses proprietary medical research to complete her pet project – a medical device that will change how humankind views terminal illness, disease, and aging. That is, if she ever tells anyone about it.

Dr. Patrick Stiles, a neurosurgeon, discovers Marin’s impropriety and forces her to deal with the consequences of her actions. Marin’s solitary life is turned upside down. And when the blueprints for her device are stolen, and the device brought to market, Marin’s worst fears are realized. For when the public begins trusting technology with their lives, everything goes wrong . . .

If you fancy giving it a go, then you can download the free Kindle file HERE.

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

The Cuckoo's Nest

Gordon Reid

Kindle Store > Book > Fiction > Historical > Murder > Suspense
Indie Writer (Self-published)
*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

Something a little bit different today ..... murder set in the historical realms of Mid-Wales:

A thrilling blend of mystery and history from the last decade of the nineteenth century, The Cuckoo’s Nest is set among the hills and valleys of remote Mid Wales at a time of profound change and unrest.

It is the hot, sultry summer of 1896. A man has been murdered, one of the thousands of Irish navvies helping to build the great chain of dams that would create a reservoir out of the Elan Valley in Radnorshire and provide clean drinking water for the crowded city of Birmingham. But the man carried a secret, and now Detective Sergeant Thomas Jones is sent from London to investigate.

As he delves deeper into the heart of the mystery Jones uncovers a trail of corruption and embezzlement, and passions deep as a mountain stream. His search for the truth takes him high into the mountains and out to the astonishing shanty town where the army of navvies live and work, to the vast building site where the dams are being built, and inside the local workhouse; and to the Cuckoo’s Nest itself, the dark and mysterious hollow where the man was killed.

As always, I'm not sure how long it will be available for free download, so get yours by clicking HERE.  I've already got my copy, fingers crossed I can get to it some times this year, the books keep coming and Review work for Authors/Publishers has to take precedence.

On Amazon today my rating is (<) 3,626. 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

#381 - The Highlander's Hope

The Highlander's Hope

A Contemporary Highland Romance

Cali MacKay

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Contemporary > Romance > Suspense

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

Description:

When Dr. Catriona Ross discovers clues to a long lost highland treasure, her only hope of finding the jewels is to obtain the help of Scotland's most eligible bachelor and playboy, Iain MacCraigh.

​

Iain can't believe his luck when he finds out the jewels are hidden away somewhere on his land-- and it doesn't hurt that the historian looking for them has curves to go with her smarts. With his brother betting the family fortune, this is the life line he desperately needs.

​

The odds are against them, and with word getting out about the jewels, they're not the only ones on the hunt. Time's running out, but can they learn to trust each other, or will they lose the jewels and true love in the process?

Product Details:

I got this as a free Kindle download back in early March 2013.  I would usually at this point put a link to the product, however, the book I downloaded now has a broken link.

The title that I'd downloaded (and actually wanted to read) was called Highlander's Hope, but by Collette Cameron, and it has this cover that you see below:

The Kindle file that downloaded had the Collette Cameron historical cover at the beginning, but then next page in was the cover image by Cali MacKay (that is pictured at the top of this post), and the novel was the contemporary version.  Thus the review is for the contemporary version by Cali MacKay.

Are the two authors one in the same?  Perhaps somebody knows and can let me know, or indeed how they think this could possibly have happened.  The fact that the link was then broken probably means somebody realised the error, but I would still be very interested in how?

I also have an admission to make, and an apology to both Authors, as I compounded this error by posting the review for the Cali's book on Good Reads under Collette's book Review page.  I am so sorry, please accept my heartfelt apologies for any confusion, upset this may have caused.  I got tipped off by somebody Good Reads about it this morning, and made immediate changes there, and have amended this post to make it clearer.

The cover image at the top of the page will take you to the contemporary version of the Cali MacKay book, The Highlander's Hope, or you can click HERE.  At the time of writing this post it's still available as a free download.

Length - 198 pages (418 KB).

Book 1 in the series.  Please see the Review by Series page for details of the Contemporary Highland Romance series under this Author's name.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summary/thoughts for the Cali MacKay Book:

After all of the palaver above about the wrong book/cover, I wish I could say that the contemporary book was anything other than mediocre.  I'm afraid, it wasn't truly terrible, but neither was it truly good, or better still, awesome.

Characterisation and plot with on the thin side, and the pace I found to be a little slow.  Of course, the hot weather did help the fact that the going was slow, but the actual writing has to take some of the blame as well.

Rating:

No more than:

3 stars

* * *

which is the official Okay read rating.  To be honest I'm not sure what I can suggest to improve on that.

Errors/Bug Bears:

There were a few errors, but I wrote them on the back of an envelope, and somebody (probably me) has lost them.  However, they didn't impede the read, and I didn't mark it down because of them.

There was also a minor bug bear, which is really minor but, what is a "shit-eating grin" .... presumably this is an American saying.  I have never heard it before.

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

Too Far Too Fast

Trisha Pyle

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Contemporary > Romance > Suspense

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

I am delighted this morning to introduce to you a British Contemporary Author, Trisha Pyle and her book Too Far Too Fast:

Arriving at her Greek holiday apartment, secretary, Abby Grainger, finds the corpse of a strangled man lying on her bedroom floor and sexy, millionaire stockbroker, Jensen Stone, mopping blood from a head wound in her bathroom.

Jensen is concussed and cannot remember how he came to be in Abby’s apartment.

He recognises the dead man as being his first officer. He remembers leaving his yacht with two crew members but everything after that is a blank. He does not believe that he is capable of murdering one of his crew members and needs to convince the gorgeous girl staring at him, her lovely green eyes filled with fear, that he is no killer.

I've downloaded my copy already, but get yours HERE (Amazon UK) and for Amazon.com HERE, and lets she if we can do her proud with our support.

Normally I'm never sure how long it will be available for free download, but Trisha let me know it will be until 21st July 2013.

More about Trisha in her own words:

A voracious bookworm who is a romantic at heart, I read anything that has a good love story as its base.  If the story also sizzles with passion; has a large portion of life threatening danger, and is garnished with humour so much the better.

Married at 18 I had a lovely house and two wonderful sons by the time I was 23.  I started writing stories when the boys were in bed.  My first efforts, painstakingly hammered out on a battered typewriter, made me realise that I required typing and shorthand skills to allow my fingers to keep up with my imagination.  A couple of years, and a draw full of secretarial certificates later, I acquired a second hand computer and set out to write my first historical novel.

Working full time as a sales administrator/office manager and running a home was stressful. I had to squeeze my writing and research in where-ever I could.  When I also became a single mother my, ‘me time’ dwindled to a few hours a week.  I never gave up.  My novel got thicker and thicker and I realised that I had enough material for a trilogy.

A new husband, Brian, came with another two lovely boys.  Understanding my need to write, Brian actively encouraged me and fed me when I became too engrossed in the plot to remember to eat.  Recently, after selling my Post Office and Newsagents, purchased in 2003, I sat down to write my first contemporary romantic suspense novel, An Exclusive Affair.

* * * * *

Details about her Books, both contemporary and historical can be found on her website by clicking HERE and other bits of gossip on her Blog HERE.  I really want to get my sticky paws on her other work now too.

I had a super time at the WI last night, and met some lovely ladies.  Many thanks to Maria, Dawn and Kate (I think that was her name, so sorry if I'm wrong), who made me so very welcome.  I've also joined the Hailsham Book Club and am looking forward to next week's meeting.

I was quite shocked ... only one of the Book Group ladies has a Kindle (apparently other ebook readers are available!) .... and I demonstrated my Baby to a couple of them last night ...... maybe I can lure them to the dark side mwahhahahahahahaha.

My interview also went well yesterday afternoon, and verbally they've indicated I should get a place, but will be biting my nails down to the quick waiting for official confirmation.

On Amazon today my rating is (<) 3,549. 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

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