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​As Craige Ingram climbed the stairs of the derelict building, that peculiar stench of a dead body hit him.  It was the same smell no matter where—SpecOps SEAL encounter gone sour, or in a vacant, roach-infested apartment.  Inside, his SEAL buddy-turned head of Buckingham Parish Homicide’s Investigative Support Division, Grayson MacGerald, was huddled with the coroner next to a swollen decaying corpse that was days old and hardly more than oozing dead meat. 

The PI inside Craige had a gut feeling that there was more to this than a dead body, and Craige’s Grannie always told him, “Trust your feelin’s.”  But that was before Mihály Keaulescu set down two of his Black Falcon choppers on Craige’s Moccasin Hollow private airstrip in an uninvited stopover.  It got worse.  From his airstrip to Israel, to Turkey and a nightmare-dream of one-of-a-kind ancient artifacts that not only threatened the serene life Craige knew and loved at Moccasin Hollow, it would destroy the world. 

Review:-

It's a rare occasion that I don't know what to write in the book review .  the book had plot ,a really good and solid plot but somehow the plot didn't join well with the characters.  The characters were also well developed and complex just not in harmony with the plot and felt a little too forced.  The prose was engaging as well as the setting.and if you don't mind a little less character development, this book is worth your time and money in its plot.  I will certainly read any sequels or any other book by the author

​With postgraduate degrees and faculty positions at several medical universities, Hawk MacKinney has taught graduate courses in both the United States and Jerusalem.  In addition to his work in classrooms and laboratories, he has written numerous professional articles on chordate neuroembryology and authored several novels that reflect his southwest upbringing in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma.  Moccasin Trace, a historical novel nominated for both the prestigious Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction and the Writers Notes Book Award, details the family bloodlines of his protagonist in the Moccasin Hollow Mystery Series.  Hidden Vault of Secrets and Westobou Gold, Books 1 and 2 in the series, have received national and international attention.  Hawk is also writing a science fiction series, The Cairns of Sainctuarie. 

Miriam bat Isaac, a budding alchemist in first-century CE Alexandria, welcomes her twin brother Binyamin home to fight his last gladiatorial bout in Alexandria.  But when he demands his share of the family money so he can build a school for gladiators in Alexandria, Miriam explains that he forsook his share when he took the gladiatorial oath. 

When she refuses to loan him the money for what she feels is a shady and dangerous enterprise, Binyamin becomes furious.  Soon after, the will of Amram, Miriam's elderly charge, turns up missing; Amram becomes seriously ill; and the clerk of the public records house is murdered.  Could Binyamin really be behind this monstrous scheme?  If not he, who could be responsible?  And is Miriam slated to be the next victim?​

My review:- a really fantastic andintriguing novel.  I especially loved the portrayl of Mirism as a strong and independent girl.  The plot was indeed full of twists and turns and I couldn't stop reading until the last page.  Another good point about this book was characterization which was strong for both main and side characters.  I loved it

June Trop and her twin sister Gail wrote their first story, "The Steam Shavel [sic]," when they were six years old growing up in rural New Jersey.  They sold it to their brother Everett for two cents. 

"I don't remember how I spent my share," June says. " You could buy a fistful of candy for a penny in those days, but ever since then, I wanted to be a writer." 

As an award-winning middle school science teacher, June used storytelling to capture her students' imagination and interest in scientific concepts.  Years later as a professor of teacher education, she focused her research on the practical knowledge teachers construct and communicate through storytelling.  Her first book, From Lesson Plans to Power Struggles (Corwin Press, 2009), is based on the stories new teachers told about their first classroom experiences. 

Now associate professor emerita at the State University of New York at New Paltz, she devotes her time to writing The Miriam bat Isaac Mystery Series.  Her heroine is based on the personage of Maria Hebrea, the legendary founder of Western alchemy, who developed the concepts and apparatus alchemists and chemists would use for 1500 years. 

June lives with her husband Paul Zuckerman in New Paltz, where she is breathlessly recording her plucky heroine's next life-or-death exploit. 

Penelope Grace, usually forgotten under the shadow of her twin sister's perfection, tries her hardest to hide her freakish ability to see into anyone's soul. 

Until she senses an unusual energy like a human-shaped void in the universe.  When Penny investigates the source, she gets tossed through a crack in time along with the cute boy next door.  The Void follows them through history, increasing the dangers as if testing Penny.  But what is it testing for?  And why does it claim to know her better than even she knows herself?  Even as Penny searches for answers, she must fight to survive the tragedies of both the past and future in order to get back home. 
​

My review:-

It was a really unique idea and I can shamelessly admit that I only wanted to read this book because of the absolutely pretty cover.  I was slightly wary of the book subject but I shouldn't have been.  I was swept along from the beginning and couldn't wait to finish the book and damn that ending! 

I can't wait to read the next book.  The book is about Penny, your standard outcast and freak,who can see people's auras and feels overshadowed by her sister.  It was a fantastic tale and I especially loved the characterization.  Not to m

​Aspen Bassett works at a library, telling stories and suggesting books.  When she's not working, she's usually sipping hot cocoa and wondering what would happen if she had superpowers.  She's been published in multiple anthologies including Oomph: A Little Super Goes a Long Way and Inaccurate Realities. 

Aspen grew up learning about chakras and auras and the true power of imagination which slips into her writing whether she intend it to or not.  In college, when she wasn't busy working on her degree in Creative Writing, Aspen also got her certificate in Women's Meditation (basically general energy work).  Now, she's working toward a diploma in Integrated Healing Arts with a certificate in Hypnotherapy. 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What made you write a book about a girl who could control spiritual energies? 

I was taking meditation classes at the time the book idea popped into my head and so those key words like chakras and auras kept popping unto the page.  I have a few friends who naturally can see spiritual energies and it was interesting to hear how much that changed their experiences growing up.  When I created Penny’s character, I had to ask myself what would it feel like to be completely alone in how you view the world? 

If you could be any character in your book, who would you want to be? 
Zetta Noble.  She’s technically a minor character, does not get the page time she deserves but she’s great, inspirational character.  She represents absolute freedom physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.  She can be exactly who she is and doesn’t worry about what other people think.  Not to say that I am that character, because I’m far far from it but if I could become anyone, I’m aiming to be someone as open and complete at her. 

What genre do you write and why? 
I write YA urban fantasy mostly because that’s what I enjoy reading.  When I was growing up, books were a form of comfort and expression for me and I want to give back in the same way.  Being a teenager and going through all these changes physically and emotionally, it was important to have something reliable like a great books series that I could use as inspiration.  A well written book can save a life or someone’s sanity by merely being a source of a smile or comfort. 

Do you have another profession besides writing? 
I’m a Youth Services Library Advisor and really what that means is that I read picture books to preschoolers and I host teen events for the local kids.  I literally get paid to make crafts with kids of all ages and that really makes me happy.  Just last week, my job required me to test out a new slime recipe and it was awesome. 

Where do you write? 
On my couch, using a dinner tray as my table.  I have a writing table and a good quality office desk but, for some reason, I prefer sprawling out on the couch with the music playing and a blanket around me before writing.  I wrote my first book in high school just half heartedly while watching TV with my family so maybe that’s where that stems from. 

What is the last great book you’ve read? 
The Lockwood and Co series by Jonathon Stroud.  Wow, that man can create a world!  I finished each book as soon as they came out and have even read them aloud to my family during long road trips.  We all love them.  There’s something for everyone from humor to innocent romance to life threatening danger.  The character development in those books are, in a word, perfection. 

A Penny Lost leaves on quite the cliff hanger.  Will there be more? 
Yes!  A Penny Lost is the first in a trilogy and, I’m proud to say, the sequel is already written and going through edits as we speak.  A lot of readers have expressed an interest in the second book coming out sooner rather than later but all I can officially tell you right now is that it will be titled The Me in Memory. 

Sunday, 22 April 2018

India, 1940.  When Nadine learns that the Indian woman she thought her nanny is, in fact, her mother, she rebels against her English father and he arranges for Nadine to be wed to an Australian merchant many years older.  She whisked off to his plantation in Malaya but as the Second World War rages throughout the East, Nadine is taken captive by the Japanese.  She is held at a camp in Sumatra with other women and forced to provide sexual favours for the soldiers.  In the most unlikely circumstances, Nadine finds an ally and protector in a Japanese-American general, caught up in the war.  The two bond over the conflicted identities and gradually fall in love.  But can Nadine survive long enough to find happiness? 

Don't miss this emotional and powerful saga about a women's determination to beat the odds, perfect for fans of Renita D'Silva, Dinah Jefferies and Julia Gregson. 

My review:-

A really emotional yet inspiring read that will force you to read till the end.  Nadine's journey as she tries to find love and happiness is a heart touching,not to mention the bravery and courage she shows and takes everything that life throws at her at face value.  I loved the characters and the complex and intriguing plot. The book does deal with dark topics that might make some readers uncomfortable but its a realistic account.  Can't wait to read more from the author. 

Friday, 16 March 2018

Death Theory

by John D. Mimms

on Tour February 1 - March 31, 2018

Synopsis:

Mankind’s greatest fear is also its greatest obsession.  What awaits when we shuffle off the mortal coil of this world?  We all have our beliefs based on faith or science, but both struggle to provide a tangible answer.  Perhaps it is possible to prove the existence of the soul, to prove it goes on after death.  Following the violent death of his parents, Jeff Granger seeks reassurance that they have moved on.  After recording what he believes to be his mother’s voice at the site of the accident, Jeff’s obsession throws him into paranormal research.  Realizing that most people are doing it just for fun, Jeff forms his own group.  He is joined by Debbie Gillerson, a school teacher; Aaron Presley, a mortician; and Michael Pacheco, a grocery store manager.  Even though they are all investigating the paranormal for very different reasons, they are all trying to fill an emptiness in their lives.  The deeper they probe paranormal theory, the darker their results.  The only way to truly test the ‘Death Theory’, as theorized by Aaron, is to monitor a person’s energy at the moment of death.  Horrified by the immoral and unethical application, the group dismisses the theory.  A darkness seems to follow their investigations and the police become involved.  A former colleague of Jeff’s, a self-proclaimed demonologist, believes a demonic force is attached to the group.  The police are not so sure.  Evil comes in many forms as the small group is about to discover. 

My review:-
It's been ages since I read a complex and strongly interwoven strong plot.  I really really loved this book with an original take on a cliche idea that makes it a great read.  READ IT!  You will love the story and how Jeff's psychology is shown in the book .  A 5 star read! 

Read an excerpt:

Death is the closest thing to omnipotence we will experience in our brief time on this planet.  It is an all-encompassing power, binding everything, and providing a cold certainty to an otherwise uncertain existence.  The firm grip of this assurance reaches much further than the extinguishment of life; it greedily claims the hope and happiness of those who remain.  It is a definite ending, but is it also a provable beginning? 

Prologue

Linda Granger did not see death coming. 
Sleep shielded her from the unfolding horror.  The looming headlights and the panicked screams of her husband were beyond her conscious state.  When her head shattered the windshield, the dream about her son ended, sending her into what’s next.  Linda was gone before the car rolled seven times and wrapped around a large oak tree.  Her husband, Stephen, was not as fortunate.  He died two minutes later.  Linda had fallen asleep from emotional exhaustion.  She died with regrets. 

Author Bio:

John D. Mimms is a business owner, paranormal researcher and author.  John served as the Technical Director for a TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) family paranormal research group in Central Arkansas.  During his four-year tenure with the organization, he helped supervise over 100 investigations and wrote more than sixteen technical articles.  Paul Bradford, of Ghost Hunters International fame, read one of John's articles titled A Christmas Carol Debunked live on the air of the Parazona Radio program on Christmas Day 2009.  John also wrote a definitive technical/training manual, which is a comprehensive guide on equipment usage, investigation protocol and scientific theory for paranormal research. 
In 2009 John decided to couple his knowledge of paranormal phenomena with his lifelong love of literary fiction.  John's first published work, The Tesla Gate, is the first installment of a three-part, heart-wrenching, sci-fi/paranormal drama. 
Book 1 of this unique, ground-breaking story released July 2014 through Open Road Media.  In January 2016, Open Road Media released The Tesla Gate Book 2: The Myriad Resistance.  Book 3: The Eye of Madness is slated for release September 27, 2016.  Though fictional, the trilogy is based on scientific, paranormal theory. 
Publishers Weekly declared about The Tesla Gate in the March 3, 2014 issue "…touching sci-fi story that takes the reader on an unlikely road-trip adventure…a fast read with some entertaining ideas and a real emotional core in the relationship between father and son." 
The Examiner proclaimed in June 2014: "Entertaining as well as poignant, this book is extremely imaginative in its basic premise as well as the many colorful and emotionally compelling events that take place." 
John resides and writes on a mountaintop in central Arkansas with his wife and two sons. 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways! 

Giveaway:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for John D. Mimms.  There will be 3 winners of one (1) physical copy of Death Theory by John D. Mimms (US ONLY) AND 3 winners of one (1) audiobook copy of Death Theory by John D. Mimms.  The giveaway begins on February 1, 2018 and runs through March 31, 2018.  This giveaway is open to US addressess only. 

Dara Roux, abandoned when she was seven years old by her mother.  Exceptionally gifted in foreign languages.  Orphan.  Accepted to Yale University. 

Mackenzie Yarborough, no record of her parents or where she was born.  Exceptionally gifted in math and problem-solving.  Orphan.  Accepted to MIT. 

Jennifer Torres, both parents killed in an automobile accident when she was sixteen.  Exceptionally gifted in music and art.  Orphan.  Accepted to Juilliard. 

The three FIGs—Females of Intellectual Genius—as they are called, have graduated from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women after returning from New York City where Dara learned why her mother abandoned her all those years ago, and they are now attending universities where they can further their special talents.  This means they will be separated from each other and from Carolina, their much-loved mentor and teacher who is “one of them,” for the first time in their young lives.  They vow to try living apart for one semester, in the so-called real world that doesn’t include the orphanage; but if things don’t work out, they will come up with another plan—a plan where they can be together once again. 

​Dara is invited through Yale University to take part in an exciting archeological project in China.  Jennifer, once again visualizing black and white images and the unusual sounds of another cadence that seem to be connected to Mackenzie, is engrossed in creating her next symphony at Juilliard.  Mackenzie, because of her genius at problem-solving, is personally chosen by a US Senator to get involved in a mysterious, secret research project involving immortality that is being conducted in a small village in China—not too far from where Dara is involved with the archeological site.  Once there, however, she finds herself facing a terrifying death from the blood-dripping teeth of an ancient evil dragon.  Her best friends, the FIGs and Carolina, rely on their own unique genius and special talents to save her as she discovers the truth of her birth parents. 

My review:-

This book was refreshingly unique with a suspenseful and hooking tale What I especially liked about this book was the way the friendship between the three girls was portrayed alongwith what Dara has to face.  A 4 star read.  Can't wait to read more. 

Meet the Author:
​
Barbara Casey is the author of several award-winning novels for both adults and young adults, as well as book-length works of nonfiction true crime and numerous articles, poems, and short stories.  Her nonfiction true crime book,Kathryn Kelly: The Moll Behind Machine Gun Kelly, has been optioned for a major film and television series.  In addition to her own writing, she is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Agency.  Established in 1995, she represents authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan.  Barbara is also a partner in Strategic Media Books Publishing, an independent publishing house that specializes in cutting-edge adult nonfiction.  Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with her husband, and three dogs who adopted her: Benton, a hound-mix; Fitz, a miniature dachshund; and Gert, a Jack Russel terrier of sorts. 

Tuesday, 13 March 2018

White Witch

by Larry D Thompson

on Tour March 5 - May 5, 2018

Synopsis:

When a ruthless American aluminum company plans to strip mine the Jamaican rainforest, they send former Navy SEAL Will Taylor to Montego Bay to deal with local resistance.  But he’s unaware that the British had signed a treaty deeding it to the Jamaican Maroons, descendants of escaped slaves, over 300 years ago.  The Maroons fought and died for their land then, and are willing to do so now.  Upon Will’s arrival, a series of inexplicable murders begin, some carried out with deadly snake daggers that were owned and used by Annie Palmer, a voodoo priestess better known as the White Witch.  She was killed 200 years prior, but is said to still haunt the island. 
Forced into the middle of it, Will is finally convinced to join the Maroons, headed by Vertise Broderick, a Maroon who resigned from the New York Times to return to Jamaica to save the rainforest.  To stop the mining, they hire a Jamaican attorney to prove that the Maroon/British treaty is still valid, and they take it upon themselves to solve the White Witch murders, because the legend of the White Witch can’t possibly be true…

My review :-
The topic was realistic but original with an eventful and intriguing plot and a story full of tales and twists.  The dialogue was refeshing and the side characters memorable.  I loved the Maroons and the flow with which they are integrated into the story.  I strongly recommend this. 

Author Bio:

After graduating from the University of Texas School of Law, Larry spent the first half of his professional life as a trial lawyer.  He tried well over 300 cases and won more than 95% of them.  Although he had not taken a writing class since freshman English (back when they wrote on stone tablets), he figured that he had read enough novels and knew enough about trials, lawyers, judges, and courtrooms that he could do it.  Besides, his late, older brother, Thomas Thompson, was one of the best true crime writers to ever set a pen to paper; so, just maybe, there was something in the Thompson gene pool that would be guide him into this new career.  He started writing his first novel about a dozen years ago and published it a couple of years thereafter.  He has now written five highly acclaimed legal thrillers.  White Witch is number six with many more to come. 
Larry is married to his wife, Vicki.  He has three children scattered from Colorado to Austin to Boca Raton, and four grandchildren.  He has been trying to retire from the law practice to devote full time to writing.  Hopefully, that will occur by the end of 2018.  He still lives in Houston, but spends his summers in Vail CO, high on a mountain where he is inspired by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. 

Tour Participants:

Visit the other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews and giveaways! 

Giveaway

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Larry D Thompson.  There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift card.  The giveaway begins on March 5, 2018 and runs through May 6, 2018.  Void where prohibited.