#419 ~ Shadows - Eternal Curse

Shadows by J. Dorothy

My rating: 3 of 5 stars





Eternal Curse Series Book #2




Personally, I found the plot a little slow, but it may be that I was at a disadvantage by not having read the first book in the series.

There was nothing intrinsically wrong with it apart from that, on the whole well written and little in the way of errors or bug bears. Just a bit predictable.

I couldn't get excited about it, therefore 3 stars from me. If the rest of the series comes my way at any time as a freebie download I would probably give it a go, but as it stands I wouldn't spend any money on it.


Product Details:

This was featured as one of my freebie Daily Selections on Amazon in early April 2013.  You can find it HERE, but it's now listed at 77p - in actual fact that is a fair price for the book.

303 pages
Taylor Street Publishing (April 2013)
Fiction, Romance, Time Travel, Magic


Errors/Bug Bears:

Only two items noted, which is really good going.

Loc 2081: We can go visit.  It's so well documented by now how much I hate that missing conjunction.

Loc 4473:  ... tucking in the duvetand - duvet and

Happy reading

Hugs

Kay

#415 ~ The History Keepers: Circus Maximus

The History Keepers: Circus Maximus by Damian Dibben

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Book #2: The History Keepers Series



I was very kindly provided with a copy of this book via the First Reads Scheme on GoodReads: in return for an honest review.

Without a doubt this is one the best books I've read in quite a long time.

It's like historical adventure, with a time travel twist. There are sparkling nuggets of humour and really believable characterisation by this author.

I believe that this is Book #2 in the Series, and I can't wait to get my hands on the first book now. I can guarantee that any future books will be snapped up; I need to know what happens.


Product Details:

As mentioned above, I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book via the First Reads Scheme on GoodReads.

Please go HERE to obtain a copy of this fabulous book.  Kindle version is listed for £3.59 and the paperback £5.03.

Please see the "Review by Series" page for information on the series.

483 pages
Published by RHCP Digital (August 2012)
Fiction, Fantasy, Time Travel, Action and Adventure
No significant sexual content


Errors/Bug Bears:

None.

This was a superbly delivered quality product.

#396 ~ Wyrdgrove

Wyrdegrove by Peter James Cottrell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars






Nothing too "Wyrd" (see what I did there?) about this one - which was one of my DSOA picks at the end of March 2013.

I don't want to give any spoilers out, but a chain of events see Matt Wyrdegrove, injured US Marine, and his friend Jack (his socially inept friend) tricked into travelling back in time to the reign of Charles I and the English Civil War.

On the whole a decent enough read, and enjoyable, although I did find that the portion when they went back to the America a little on the slow side. However, the Novel as a whole piece worked well.

I believe that this is Mr Cottrell's second novel, and it would certainly translate to a Series - in fact I would love that.

There were a few errors, but not that many as to be distracting, and thinking about this for a few days I'd award it 4 Stars, if there were half stars around it would have got one of 'em. As usual you will find a list of the errors below.

Highly recommend if you like time travel, and especially if you like an historical twist.


Product Details:

As I mentioned above, this was one of my Daily Picks back in March 2013.  

It's currently listed HERE at £1.53 for the Kindle Download, which represents excellent value for money.

Publisher:       Indie Writer (Self Published)
Pages:           258 pages
Reading Age:  Adult, but with no real overt sexual content
Genre:           Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Time Travel, Magic, Action and 
                    Adventure


Errors/Bug Bears:

Loc 1844:  ...at the quays and find somewhere stay.

Correct to:  ...at the quays and find somewhere to stay.

Loc 2310:  "munter" and "proper double-bagger"

Bug bear:  would an historical sailor really have used those phrases?

Loc 3276:  ...fiddled with a draw and plucked out a sheaf of papers...

Correct to:  ...fiddled with a drawer and plucked out a sheaf of papers.

Loc 4189:  We are deep in Mattaponi country.  If you head south for the James River you we will all be dead before morning...

Correct to:  We are deep in Mattaponi country.  If you head south for the James River you we will all be dead before morning...

Loc 4332:  Is it so hard to imagine that a gorgeous Native American girl, no woman like that could possibly be attracted...

Correct to:  Is it so hard to imagine that a gorgeous Native American girl, no woman, like that could possibly be attracted...

Loc 4341 Bug Bear:  not sure a Native American woman of that time would have used the phrase "pee"?

Loc 5267:  Flames lick up the table legs.

Correct to:  Flames licked up the table legs.

Loc 5367:  What I mean is that it really bothers me that it doesn't both me, if that makes sense?

Correct to:  What I mean is, that it really bothers me, that it doesn't bother me, if that makes sense?

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  

#382 ~ Stowaway on Titanic

Stowaway on Titanic by Larry Names

My rating: 3 of 5 stars







Published by:     Eagan Hill Publishers
Pages:              288
Reading Age:     Young Adult/Adult
Genre:              Fiction > Historical > Time Travel
Does not contain any sexual content of foul language




I was very kindly provided with a copy of this book via the First Reads Scheme on GoodReads in return for an honest Review.

I have to say that the time travel slant to novel was an interesting way to go.

It didn't seem that far fetched, as is sometimes the case with time travel fiction, and I had the distinct impression that the Author had taken time to research his materially really well - the whole work was handled sympathetically to the era.

From research, I believe that is one in a series featuring Tegan O'Malley, with her travelling through time to various different periods.

Despite the fact that I didn't have my notebook to hand, I did note a few tiny errors, but nothing that distracted from the work as a whole (I will not being going back over it to find them!). All in all, it was a well delivered piece of fiction, with a well paced feel and authentic characterisation.

3 stars from me, and I would certainly read more in this series, and indeed other offerings from Larry Names.

You can also see my Blog Post Number #382 in October 2014, and additional details on my Blog under "Review by Series" for other works by Larry - NB:  I am currently waiting to hear form him with a full list of this Tegan O'Malley Series and other works, and will update the section asap.

If you are interested in reading this book, you can purchase it HERE.

Errors/Bug Bears:

As I mentioned above, there were a couple of tiny errors, but I didn't have a notebook to hand, so will let them go in this case.  

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download on Amazon

Love Lost - The Accidental Time Traveler

Mark Fouyer

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Science Fiction > Time Travel

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

Today's pick is a time travel novel by Indie Writer Mark Foyer - who is new to me.

I thought I would give it a go, but first off "Traveler"?  Is that North American spelling for Traveller?

Any hoo, miss picky pants put to one side, here's the synopsis:

Samantha lost the love of her life during the Civil War. The man she loved and was promised to, leaves their home on Deer Isle, Maine and heads off to fight the injustice of slavery. After two years of witnessing the harsh realities of the Civil War, Harlin's letters to Samantha and his family abruptly stop. Almost a year later when his tour of duty should be finished, he hasn't returned, and no one knows what happened to him. Samantha has lost almost all hope of ever seeing Harlin again.

Almost one hundred and forty eight years later, Alan Long experiences a life changing event. His first trip to Stonington on Deer Isle Maine ends tragically; but now just one month later his second trip to the island offers him an almost unbelievable opportunity. 

Quite by accident, Alan finds himself transported back in time to 1864 where he meets Samantha. Alan is sure he has gone crazy, time travel is just not possible and yet he finds himself with the ability to travel back and forth from his time to hers. As they get to know each other, Alan learns of her situation and vows to do what he can to help her. Surely the technology of his time can shed a light on the darkness from her time.

Alan sets out on an unlikely journey to uncover what happened to Harlin using technology Samantha could never be told about. In a series of twists and turns he develops new friendships on this small island paradise. Two men twice his age cross his path and the three unite together to try and change an outcome that should never have occurred. 

If you fancy taking a chance on this New Release, with, or without the extra L, then you can download it for free at the moment HERE, after all what is an L between friends?

Hugs

Kay

#367 ~ New Atlantis Bundle

New Atlantis Bundle: Books 1-3 by Nhys Glover

My rating: 4 of 5 stars








Books 1 to 3


I'm not going to lie to you, this one quite a big read at 468 pages, and divided over 3 books.

Overall, it was enjoyable: even eliciting a little bit of a tear at the end.

However, each of the three was a little of the formulaic side ..... i.e. person retrieved from our reality, and taken forward in time to the New Atlantis, fall in love with the rescuer, go on a mission with them, live happily ever after. Going forward I hope that the Author injects a bit more twists into the whole series.

Having said that, each book was inter-twined, and moved the whole plot forward. Still leaving somewhere to go for new books.

I happily bought into the plot, and the pace was mostly okay, although in a couple of places it dipped a little.

Not too many errors/bug bears (and I will list those, as usual, on my Blog Post #367 in August 2013, if anyone is interested.

I would certainly read more in this series.



Product Details

I managed to pick this up as a free Kindle download back in March 2013, however at the time of writing this Review it is listed at £3.34 HERE - this is not a huge price, and to my mind represents good value for money.

468 pages in length

It was a three book bundle:

Book 1 - Nine Lives
Book 2 - The Dreamer's Prince
Book 3 - Savage

there are more books in the Series.


Errors/Bug Bears:

At the beginning of the book Jac and Jack were used, and at first I thought it was typrographical, however reading on I realised that it was probably the way Cara perceived the name, and therefore it couldn't be classed as an error.

1%:  "change room"

Used a couple of times, and it might just be a difference in the use of English and North American, but I would say correct it to:  changing room.

2%:  "Changing history was complex, and it was thwart with danger."

Thwart is the wrong word.  Correct to:  fraught.

3%:  "What am I saying? It was no fun at all!"

Weird formatting thing going on I think, I don't think it is there for any purpose, so should probably be removed.

43%: "No, definitely not stolen.  We Retrieve people who, historical records tell us, disappeared intheir own time ..."

Correct to:   No, definitely not stolen.  We Retrieve people who, historical records tell us, disappeared in their own time ...

44%:  "She is pretty stranger.  But I can see Jane in there, luckily".

Correct to:  She is a pretty stranger.  But I can see Jane in there, luckily.

45%:  "....just until you get acclimated".

Not wrong necessarily, just ugly.  I would be much happier to see it corrected to:  just until you get acclimatised.

47%:  "Maggie and Julio both looked so surprise and horrified, she immediately felt relieved".

Correct to:  Maggie and Julio both looked so surprised and horrified, she immediately felt relieved.

50%:  "She wished she could accept the bonus of the upgraded body, instead of constantly feeling belittle by it".

Correct to:  She wished she could accept the bonus of the upgraded body, instead of constantly feeling belittled by it.

Book 3:  seems to have some formatting issues with the earlier chapters not starting on a new page - which is just  bit untidy.

71%:  "And from the nagging pain, there was quite a ways to go before he would be battle-ready again".

I really hate to see a sentence start with "and", plus ways to go is such bad English.  Correct to:  From the nagging pain, there was quite a way to go before he would be battle-ready again.

73%:  "He giving you a bit of trouble?"

I think this should be corrected to:  Is he giving you a bit of trouble?

77%:  "He wanted to reach out and stroke that long hair, fair back from her beautiful face".

Hmm, not sure if it should be corrected to:

He wanted to reach out and stroke that long fair hair back from her beautiful face; or

He wanted to reach out and stroke that long hair back from her face.


79%:  Author talks about an "agar" at several points.

Well, I'm from England, and around here it is an Aga.

80%:  more formatting problems, with the the next chapter not starting on a new page.

88%:  "It was going to be on dusk by the time the train reached the spot ..."

Correct to:  It was going to be dusk by the time the train reached the spot ...

92%:  "She snigger to herself and Julio frowned".

Correct to:  She sniggered to herself and Julio frowned.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

Just One Damned Thing After Another

Jodi Taylor

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Science Fiction > Time Travel

Indie Author (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

10 things why I picked this for today's selection:

1. Cool cover
2. Great Title
3. Time Travel
4. Indie Writer
5. Interesting/funny description
6. The start of a series - I always like somewhere to go when I've finished a book - if it's good!
7. 5 stars - see number 9 ... this means that all ratings were 5 star
8. It's a free download (I know all my DSOA choices are, but this is #2 in the Free Best Selling List at the moment)
9. 114 Reviews
10. I drink coffee, but Lou loves tea .... drinks bucket loads of it in fact, so anything that mentions her favourite beverage needs reading ... plus I couldn't think of any more reasons!

If any of the above gets your juices tingling for a good book down load it at Amazon HERE.  I have a mountain of an "WTR" list, and also loads that have been sent in Review, but I will be eagerly waiting to get to this one.

Happy reading.

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

Forgotten Time 

Ravenhurst Series:  Book 1

Lorraine Beaumont

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Historical > Romance > Fantasy > Time Travel

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

You might have noticed a bit of a time travel element creeping into my Daily Selections recently .... I won't lie the possibility intrigues me.  I love the thought of dipping back into History ..... for a short time any way I would miss hot showers and modern technology after a bit.  Also, I need guarantees that I'd travel back and not be a servant, with all the hard work it would entail in those times!

So, after that bit of waffle, here's today's pick:

Katherine Nicole Jamison never imagined when she took a job at a

prestigious auction house for the summer, that one moment of

impulsiveness could change her life forever. When she "borrows" an

ancient amulet she inadvertently sets in motion a series of events which

results in her waking up in 18th century England, betrothed to an

arrogant, self-centered Earl.

Sebastian de Winter ~ The Earl of

Ravenhurst, is a renowned womanizer who always prided himself as being a

ladies man, until he is left standing at the altar. His betrothed

vanishes into thin air and as if by magic reappears months later. But is

she his betrothed?

Ravenhurst ~ a once forgotten legend, locked

somewhere within the gloomy confines of this ancient edifice is the key

that will unlock the door of time itself.

There are three reviews so far, but the underlying feel from them is there's nothing wrong with the plot.  However, there may be editorial issues, which could well drive me mad .... so take the download of this one under advisement.  Also, the description advises that it's not a stand-along book, rather an introduction to the Ravenhurst Series.  That having been said, if you still fancy giving it a go (it is free at the moment) click HERE to download.  

On Amazon today my rating is (>) to 3,843. 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

Bewitched in Time

(Salem Moon #1)

Scarlet Black

*NEW AUTHOR

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Romance > Time Travel > Witchcraft

Recently, I seem to be comfortably ensconced in the time travel genre, and this one took my eye from a book of completely different genre that had been my first pick.  It's a revised edition of Salem Moon (see the reviews are apparently being switched over by Amazon at the moment).  

Apart from the fact that it's a really beautiful cover, the description seemed to grab me, as I am fascinated with Salem:

Gabriel Blackstone, a young man living in Salem Massachusetts in the year 1692 is found guilty of witchcraft,and sentenced to death.

While he lies dying under the crushing weight of stones, a mysterious man appears to him, promising to change his fate if he will take his hand and go with him. Gabriel agrees, having no idea of the price he'll pay for this decision!

Miraculously, Gabriel is transported to 21st century Salem, where he escapes his fate and meets his destiny. He falls in love with Lily Snow, an avid historian and a direct descendant of the very family who accused him of witchcraft! 

Over 300 years later, the two families still hate each other. Gabriel and Lily know their love is forbidden, but the choice to love is not a choice at all. They cannot deny how they feel about each other.

Gabriel is shocked when he learns that the man who saved his life is an evil Fallen Angel, named Lucien who wreaks havoc on the city of Salem with his unbridled lust and violence. He wants Gabriel’s very soul- and he wants Lily! 

Gabriel and Lily come together in a love that transcends time, brutal injustice and evil itself; a love they must fight for with everything they’ve got!

You can get a copy by clicking HERE and see what you think.

On Amazon today my rating is (<) to 4,958. 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

#315 (#33 of 2013) - I Married an Alien ~ Emma Daniels and Ethan Somerville

I Married an Alien ~ Emma Daniels & Ethan Sommerville

Kindle > Fiction > Time Travel 

Description:

When Ruth Clarke volunteers for an experiment to see into the future, she thinks it's a bit of a joke. But when Professor Jackson ups the power, Ruth ends up catapulted three hundred years into the future, into the body of Anita DeBurgh, a beautiful woman half her age.

Anita is on her way to another planet called Terron to fulfill her tour of duty as per the requirements of The Treaty. So when Ruth arrives she very quickly finds herself married to Jordan Demantena, who claims she is his life-mate.

As Ruth struggles to acclimatise to marriage to a tall, handsome and incredibly sexy alien, there are intergalactic terrorists after Anita.

Ruth and Jordan are soon running for their lives, trying to discover just what Anita knew and how to stop a potential war between Earth and Terron that could cost millions of lives.

Product Details:

I picked this up as a freebie Kindle download, and at the time of writing this post it is still listed as free.  You can go straight to the Amazon page HERE.  Obviously, if you are reading this post retrospectively I cannot guarantee that it is still available for free.

Novella - 158 pages

Book 1 in the Treaty Series

* * * *

Summary:

With a title so full of cheese that it could easily pass for a Welsh Rarebit, and a Kitch Regency Cover image I was dubious to say the least for this offering.

It isn't something I would usually go for, but as I've got a two fold challenge for myself this year (to read as many freebie downloads and widen my book horizons) I decided to risk it.

What I got from my perception of title and cover combined, was in fact so very different, and a real treat in point of fact.

The Prologue was the weakest part, as it was claggy and a little confusingly written.  I would seriously suggest a some re-working should be undertaken to fix it, which would go a long way to ramping up the book's possible rating.

Whilst I loved Ruth/Anita characterisation, it was a little weak in places and a tiny bit of a pity fest.

I completely fell in love with Jordan.  My favourite scene is where he scents his mate.

There were minor typographical and grammatical errors, which it would be nice to see fixed.  There were additionally inconsistencies in names - this is a bug bear of mine - however the writing was overall well done and the problems mentioned didn't irritate me overly and put me off the book, or alter the ultimate rating.

This could easily run the distance as a full length piece of fiction if it could be tightened up and developed a little more.

Having gone into it expecting nothing in particular, I was very pleased to find that actually it was difficult to put down, so a 4 star rating (4.5 if I could) for this offering by joint authors.

I am looking forward to the next in the series, and will be downloading that very shortly.  I can't wait to find out what happens to the smelly and stained Professor.

As a footnote, I notice that neither of the authors have "About me" pages on Amazon.  It would be very nice to find out a bit more about them.

Hugs

Kay

#304 (#22 of 2013) - Freedom: The Rake & The Recluse Part 1) ~ Jenn LeBlanc *NEW AUTHOR

Description:

Francine Larrabee woke up on the wrong side of the century. She was fairly certain she went to sleep in her own comfy bed, but she doesn't quite seem to be there now. Only adding to her problems is that she has no voice, is constantly being glowered at by a large, stunning man who is obsessed with propriety, and she is apparently betrothed to another horrid little man, determined to ruin her, and any other girls that get in his way.

How does she find herself in the past, when she couldn't even find herself in her present? How does a self sufficient businesswoman survive in a time when women were still considered property for the whole of their lives and what is she going to do with this man who draws her to him so fiercely.

Product Details:

This is PART ONE of a SIX PART SERIAL NOVEL. They have to be read in order to get the story. If you have already read THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE: this is completely re edited with new scenes. However, if you do not want to re-read, you can pick up the story at PART FIVE.

146 pages in length.

I picked this up as a Kindle freebie some time ago, and at the time of writing this post it is still being offered as free.

* * * *

Summary:

Once I managed to get my head around the novel concept of an historical/time travel romance novel, I really enjoyed this first part.  I have to say it didn't take me too long, as the writing was on the whole well done.

A superb hero, on the black side actually, whom I am sure I'm going to love as the serialisation continues.

On the downside, I feel it is a little expensive.  I managed to snag the 1st book in the series as a free download, but others are around £1.20 each, it is quite an expensive undertaking.  I would recommend that you go for the Redux version if you are going to read this, which is currently listed at £2.50.

Actually, I could kick myself as I just downloaded the second in the serialisation, and I could have saved myself a fair bit by working that out first.

No hesitation in awarding this 5 stars.

Hugs

Kay