#449 Blue Fire and Ice

Blue Fire and Ice (Land’s Tale, #1) by Alan Skinner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars





Land's Tale Book #1




I would say that this is a book perfect for the age 12 upwards market, even moving into adult reading.

On the whole it was simply written, but had a fairly decent pace and voice to it.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that it's got the bones of a film lurking in there ... much like Game of Thrones laid down the foundation for adaptation to the screen, I could seriously see this doing the same things.

Every story is made better by the inclusion of a bear, and then when you add in the unpredictability of the mix, it pretty much would have it all for a screen writer to run with.

This is certainly a book I think I will recommend to my 11 year old God Daughter, as a decent read.



Product Details

Another DSOA from about this time last year, when it was free to download.  At this current time it's available HERE for £1.84 as a Kindle download - actually, that's really a fairly decent price.

336 Pages
Sibling Press
Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Mystery, Adventure, Family Reading
Aimed at the over 10 market up to adult reading


The Good ... the bad ... and the ugly

Kudos for the fact that the writing was simple, and of a decent quality - actually something that is proving quite rare.

In the ugly section were a few a handful of missing conjunctions.

The bad were a few errors/bug bears:

Loc 530:  '... quite worn out from trying to make Beadledom a look a little brighter.' - look a little brighter.

Loc 534:  'I'm sure they are very clever but I don't why anybody ...' - know why.

Loc 1099: 'I would love to have you come, ...' - I would love to have you, or I would love you to come.

Loc 1116: 'She so hoped she was.' - the so is superfluous.

Loc 2362:  '... making the sea the only way leave the Land.' - way to leave the Land.

Loc 3023: 'Dot had offered hers to a young mother cradling a young baby in her arms.' - no need to use 'young' twice.  A baby is by definition young!

Loc 3853:  'I will not be burden!' - be a burden.

Loc 3858:  'Standing back from them all, she watch as Copper took ...' - watched.

Loc 3920: 'Her hands searched for the Dot as she ...' - delete 'the'.

Loc 5437: '... no larger than a crickle ball.' - I'm not sure if this should be 'cricket' ball, or in fact there is a came called 'Crickle' in the Land.


Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#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

#374 ~ The Watermen

The Watermen by Patrick Easter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars













(Tom Pascoe:  #1)


I was lucky enough to meet the Author, Patrick Easter at the Hailsham WI Book Club a month or so ago, and I have to say that the impression I had gained from him at the time was that he seemed to have certainly researched his subject well, and also had personal experience in policing (albeit of the modern day variety). He was also charming and packed full of charisma .... yes, it's true I have a bit of a crush on him!

Luckily, the organiser of the Group, Diane, lent me her copy of his novel to read for Review. As always with me, you will only get an honest one.

My first impressions were true, the book is well written, with good historical reference - apparently according to Patrick, real history buffs can pick holes in some of it - and do - but, for me it had an authentic feel, and that is all that counts are far as I'm personally concerned. The only thing that bothered me was his mention of Tom wearing a "blouse". Now, it's not the first time that I have come across this, I am sure some of you will remember my recent rant about an American Author that referred to a man's blouse. I am now beginning to wonder if I'm wrong, and they did clearly wear them. I think some historical research of my own might be called for, and then a slice of humble pie if they are proved right.

I have a huge liking for our leading man, Tom Pascoe, and also found myself routing for his side-kick Sam.

Why, oh why couldn't the lovely Miss Tompkins fall for him with a big bang? Although, I am still holding out hope that he can win her in the end, or find a worth lady from some other source.

All in all, a lovely and informative novel, and I can't wait to read the next one.

Four stars from me.


Product details:

I had a paperback copy and you can find it on Amazon HERE.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay.

One Off Free Download at Amazon

Mirian

DS England

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Action and Adventure

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

I've had such a frantic day, that I forgot to mention today that DS England's book Mirian is available on free Kindle Download today at Amazon.  

In the port city of Mirian we follow the overworked and underfunded City Watch as they compete against a vicious mercenary group to keep the city safe and a group of desperate thieves do whatever they must to survive the brutal crackdown on crime. However unbeknownst to all of them, a new threat moves through the city’s catacombs intent on transforming Mirian into a fetid grave for all of its inhabitants.

You will need to hurry as it runs out today.  You can get your copy HERE.

Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

Blood of the Fey

Morgana Trilogy

Alessa Ellefson

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Fantasy > Action and Adventure

Indie Writer (Self-published)

Introducing a New Author to this Blog

I would say you are probably sick of me talking about covers by now but, tough ..... it's my blog and I can if I want to!

I have to admit I was first drawn to today's pick by the cover (just shows how important they can be), and then the description seemed quite interesting:

Morgan Pendragon just wants a normal life. But on her last year at a Swiss boarding school, one of her classmates is found mysteriously dead. Before she knows it, Morgan's called home to Wisconsin, for the first time in her life.

There, not only does she have to deal with her crazy-weird family, but she's forced to attend a strange school set in a magical world under Lake Winnebago. To make matters worse, she must train with the others to become Knights of the Round Table and fight in a secret, millennia-old war against the Fey—fallen angels with unimaginable powers who'd do anything to destroy humans. And if that wasn't enough, she must do the impossible: learn to make friends.

As the world is falling apart, Morgan must adapt to her new reality before she either goes nuts... or finds herself dead.

I personally can't resist much with the word "fey" in it, and I know there are lot more of you out there..  Click HERE - it would appear to be a bit of a bargain as well, as the listed price is normally £11.00 ... Ouch! ... which is all well and good if it's precisely that.  Difficult to tell though, I always am a tad on the suspicious side when there is just 1 5 Star Review - although that might be an unfair suspicion, as it is a New Release and the Reviews will just keep coming in the following weeks.

By the way, do you like the new look of the Blog? - it's still a work in progress but so far I'm happy with it.

On Amazon today my rating is (<) to 4,439. 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

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 Selection for Kindle Freebie Download

Alexandria ~ John Kaden *NEW AUTHOR

Kindle > Books > Fiction > Science Fiction > Adventure

There would be no point in looking for daily selections, if I didn't vary my choice from my normal Historical Romance now would there?  So day I've gone for a post apocalyptic science fiction saga b y John Kaden.


As usual you can find it quickly over at Amazon by clicking the large title just above the cover photograph, or click HERE.

This morning that my Amazon Reviewer status has improved quite a bit to 9,916 - and yay me .... I am now on the Top Reviewers' listing, which makes me very happy.  As always thank you to anyone that has taken the time to leave positive feedback over there for me, it is very much appreciated..

I would love to get to the top 1,000 Reviewers' .... 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 Kindle Freebie Download

Wyrdegrove ~ Peter James Cottrell

Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Historical > Action & Adventure

The challenge that I set myself this year to read as many free Kindle Downloads as possible has certainly started to take me out of my usual Historical Romance comfort zone.  Whilst today's selection is Historical, it's more of a time-travelling adventure with a sense of humour .... see, I'm not just all about Phallic Mushrooms!

As usual you can find it quickly over at Amazon by clicking the large title just above the cover photograph, or click HERE.  It has been on the list for quite a while, so I am not sure how much longer it will be available as a freebie.


This morning that my Amazon Reviewer status has improved by a large margin  to 13,132 (making big gains is getting harder the further up the rankings I go).  As always thank you to anyone that has taken the time to leave positive feedback over there for me, it is very much appreciated..

I would love to get to the top 1,000 Reviewers' .... 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