Friday, May 30, 2014

The First Book of Demons - Raquel Dove

The First Book of Demons is the first novel in the Book of Demons Saga. This book is free for the kindle.

Alexandra is still in high school. She doesn't have a lot of friends, but the ones she has are loyal. Alex lives with her aunt Tamaya. When Alex starts to have violent nightmares her aunt is worried. She knows something she's not telling Alex. Then Alex's aunt is murdered and Alex is devastated. When Alex has recovered somewhat, she goes camping with her friends to try and get her life back on track. While camping, she's kidnapped by a demon and things really get interesting. This book was a little disjointed at first, but once it got going it was hard to put down. The sexual tension was running high, but never got out of hand. However, the ending was anticlimactic. Still recommended.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Talented - Sophie Davis

Talented is the first novel in the Talented Saga series. This book is free for the kindle. More teenage angst than I'd prefer, but the story pulls you in.

Natalia Lyons is a 16 year old girl with a big talent. Talia was just nine when her parents were murdered by the Coalition. Talia was taken in by the director of the Talented Organization of Exceptionally Interesting Citizens (TOXIC). She's been honing her talent for the last seven years to become a hunter. Being a hunter will give Talia an opportunity for revenge on the Coalition and its leader. The man responsible for her parent's death.

This book has lots of promise. The premise is great, and the characters are interesting. The problem is Talia's abundance of angst over boys. I could do with lots less introspection and lots more action, and not the kind of action Talia is constantly fantasizing about. Still, highly recommended.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Deliberate Corruption of Climate Science - Tim Ball

The Deliberate Corruption of Climate Science is a book anyone who has an interest in the global warming controversy should read. It doesn't make any difference what our opinion is. Listening to both sides is the best way to make an informed decision. As Aristotle said, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."

The title of this book explains very simply what it's about. The author takes excruciating pains to expose the deception behind the push for "green" and all it entails. When you're done reading this book you'll have a better understanding of how a hoax designed to break down the industrial countries of the world, is going on under the auspices of saving the planet. There are some redundancy issues, as most academic writing exhibits, but the story is clear, and the science is explained in simple terms. Very highly recommended.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Open Minds - Susan Kaye Quinn

Open Minds is the first novel in the Mindjack Trilogy. This book is free for the kindle.

Kira Moore is just 16 years old. It's the first day of school, and it's going to be a bad one. Kira still hasn't changed, which means all the other kids her age won't associate with her. She's afraid she's going to be a zero. Most teenagers can begin to read minds when they hit puberty. Who would trust someone they can't read? Kira is afraid her life is ruined. That is until she finds she can do much more than read minds. She can control them. This novel is all about teenage angst, but in a good way. Kira has so much more to worry about than boys and clothes. How about surviving in a changing world? Very highly recommended.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Anathema - K.A. Tucker

Anathema is the first novel in the Causal Enchantment series. This book is free for the kindle. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

Evangeline lives in Portland Maine and she's about to turn 18. She's been in foster care since her Mother was killed by a car five years ago. Evangeline doesn't have any friends and has never been close to her foster parents. When Sophie befriends her and whisks her off to New York, it's like a dream. It swiftly turns into a nightmare. Evangeline is the pawn in a plan to undo a curse gone bad. Witches, vampires, and other creatures seem to be helping Evangeline, but are they interested in helping her or themselves? This is a fascinating story with suspense, action, and romance. The ending is good, but leaves you wanting the next book now. Very highly recommended.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The Maze Runner - James Dashner

The Maze Runner is the first novel in the Maze Runner series. This is a dystopian fantasy with a new twist.

Thomas becomes aware as he's riding up in the box. When the box is opened, boys Thomas has never seen before help him out and into the Glade. Thomas has no memories of his past, no knowledge of his present. Thomas is not alone, as all the other boys in the Glade are just as clueless about their past. At least until a griever stings someone and they manage to survive. Then Teresa shows up and everything changes. Running the Maze was never about avoiding grievers, it was about finding a way out. Now it's about survival. This is a great novel with mystery, suspense, and heroics. The ending is a cliff hanger that leaves you wanting more. Very highly recommended.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Rush Revere and the First Patriots - Rush Limbaugh

Rush Revere and the First Patriots is the second novel in the Time-Travel Adventures With Exceptional Americans series. I recommend you read them in order. They are kid's books, but adults can enjoy and learn from them.

Rush Revere, a substitute history teacher, is called back to Manchester Middle School to teach honors history again. Rush has a time traveling horse called Liberty who helps him get the straight facts about historical events. Liberty also helps Rush take a few students on field trips to colonial American, where they visit with American patriots. They also time travel to England to see Benjamin Franklin address parliament, and to talk to King George III. Rush and some of his students even participate in the Boston Tea Party. This novel teaches readers the causes for, and events leading up to, the American revolution, in and interesting and informative way. Rush's wise cracking horse and young middle school companions add to the kid appeal. Very highly recommended.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Allegiant - Veronica Roth

Allegiant is the third and final book in the Divergent series. Disappointing is the first word that comes to mind.

Tris is a worthy hero. It's too bad the story she's trapped in is so stilted and depressing. If you read the first two books, you almost have to read this one. I wish I'd quit while I was ahead. Not recommended. I won't be watching the movie either.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Hollowmen - Amanda Hocking

Hollowmen is the second novel in the Hollows series. This one started right where the first book left off. No momentum was lost. I hope there's a third novel in the series.

Remy switched places with her brother at the end of the first book. Now she's the lab rat the army is cutting to pieces, to try and cure the zombie virus. When zombies finally break into the quarantine Remy is forced to escape again. Remy's goal is the same though, find her brother. There's plenty of zombie killing action, but Remy discovers that apocalypse doesn't bring out the best in humans. Zombies aren't the only enemies out there. Very highly recommended.

Field of Prey - John Sandford

Field of Prey is the 24th novel in the Prey Series. Sandford never fails to impress me. This book is no exception.

Lucas Davenport is called in when an old cistern with over a dozen female skulls is found is rural Minnesota. Lucas isn't the lead on the investigation, but he's always in on the big cases, and this one is huge. By the time they stop pulling bodies from the cistern there are more than 20, and as the women are identified the BCA discovers they've been killed over years if not decades. The killer is still out there. Will he kill again, and how could nobody have realized this was going on? This story pumps more adrenalin than any movie you could watch. Very highly recommended.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Hollowland - Amanda Hocking

Hollowland is the first novel in the Hollows series. This book is free for the kindle. This is one series I'll keep reading, even if I have to pay.

Remy King was 18 when the lyssavirus genotype 8 began to devastate the world. Remy lost her parents to the "zombie" virus. She managed to survive for a year with her little brother Max. Then the quarantine facility, where the government was keep them, was overrun. Max was evacuated, but Remy had to fight her way out. Now her only goal in life is to find Max. She'll stop at nothing to reach that goal. This is a great paranormal adventure. It's action from beginning to end. My only complaint is the ending. It almost forces you to read the next book, something I'll be doing. Very highly recommended.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

The God King - James A. West

The God King is the first novel in the Heirs of the Fallen series. This book is free for the kindle.

Kian Valara is a mercenary. Kian is on his last job before retirement. Kian and his men were hired to help prince Varis Kilvar, the youngest son of the heir to the throne of Ammathor. Varis is seeking the Well of Creation and the power it will bring him. Little does Varis know the price of that power. Kian and his men barely escape with their lives when Varis calls forth the power, but Kian and his band's ultimate mission must be the safety of mankind. They'll have to stop Varis before he destroys the world they know. This is a great fantasy tale, with monsters, demons, and gods to fight, and prizes and women to be won. Very highly recommended.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

The Eye of Divinity - Robert E. Keller

The Eye of Divinity is the first novel in the Knights Series. This book is free for the kindle.

Lannon Sunshield is just a young boy. He lives in the country outside the town of Knights Welcome. Lannon seldom sees anyone but his Mom and Dad. Lannon's Dad is sick and failing from an illness that seems to spring from the Deep Shadow itself. Lannon's parents have always wanted him to be a knight, but he's never chosen on admittance day. Then the three greatest Divine Knights from Dremlock show up at Lannon's home, and discover Lannon has the Eye of Divinity. Lannon is taken back to Dremlock to be a squire, and one day maybe a knight. But Lannon has to survive the trip and the training as a squire. The goblins are massing and war is at hand. Lannon may not survive to use his gift or become a Divine Knight. This is a great book. It's a tad violent for some kids, but compared to video games it's probably tame. Magic, evil creatures, and epic battles are what this story is about. Highly recommended.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Killing Ruby Rose - Jessie Humphries

Killing Ruby Rose is the first novel in the Ruby Rose series. This book is $4.99 for the kindle, but was one of the free books available to Amazon prime members in March.

Ruby Rose is seventeen. Ruby is still recovering from the death of her father. He was a SWAT officer killed in the line of duty. Ruby was trained and taught by her father to be a survivor. She knows weapons, self defense, and tactics, but now someone is out to finish Ruby and all her skills are needed. Ruby finds herself struggling to save her friends, her family, and herself. This is a great story, with suspense, danger, and of course romance. Highly recommended.

The Journal of James Halldon - Glynn James

The Journal of James Halldon is the first novel in the Diary of the Displaced series. This book is free for the kindle.

James Halldon is a slightly overweight salesman from London. At least he thinks he is. When James wakes up in a dark place, lying on something uncomfortable, with no recollection of how he got there, he naturally panics. When the panic wears off, James starts an amazing exploration of this new place. He ends up fighting for his life, and it turns out the lives of others. James' first person account of his daily struggle is compelling, frightening, and entertaining. This story is a supernatural adventure from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Back on Murder - J. Mark Bertrand

Back on Murder is the first novel in the Roland March Mystery series. This book is free for the kindle.

Roland March is a homicide detective. Roland has been relegated to temporary assignments and suicide investigations since his attitude went sour. Roland really wants to get back to investigating murders, but he has to prove himself, and he may get his chance. But can he prove himself when everyone is already against him? A better question is, can he stay alive while trying? Murder is just one of the crimes Roland is going to have to solve to get back on murder. This story was hard to put down. It just kept building with every chapter. Great story telling and a nice ending. Very highly recommended.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Burning Girls - Veronica Schanoes

Burning Girls is a novella that's free for the kindle. This story is a twist of history, fiction, and fantasy.

This novella is based on one of the worst industrial accidents in US history, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. It starts long before the tragedy of 1911 though. The story starts in Bialystok Poland. Deborah and Shayna were young Jewish girls. Deborah was dark and studied to be a witch. Shayna was blonde and studied to be a seamstress. Both girls were bright and promising, but Poland was a place of ignorance and prejudice and pogroms. The story of the two sisters would eventually bring them to America, to New York City. The superstitions of their early lives would follow them though. Escaping evil is never easy. This is a fascinating story. Very highly recommended.

Ladd Springs - Dianne Venetta

Ladd Springs is the first novel in the Ladd Springs series. This book is free for the kindle.

Delaney Wilkins and her daughter Felicity live in a cabin at Ladd Springs. Delaney was a Ladd before she was married and divorced. Her daughter is supposed to inherit the Ladd property, but Uncle Ernie is being stubborn. To make thing more difficult, a hotel developer is interested in buying the land, and greed is magnifying the Ladd family troubles. Danger, suspense, and romance make this story well worth reading. Highly recommended.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Surface Tension - Christine Kling

Surface Tension is the first mystery in the Seychelle Sullivan series. This novel is $3.99 for the kindle, but it's half of a double feature book called Florida is Murder. That book is free for the kindle.

Seychelle Sullivan is a tug boat captain. Saychelle inherited her tug, the Gorda, from her Dad. She and her two brothers own it, but Saychelle runs the Sullivan Towing and Salvage company herself. A call comes through on the marine radio. The ship her ex-boyfriend captains is drifting toward the beach, so Saychelle responds. Saychelle finds a murdered woman, but no ex-boyfriend. Now the police have pegged Saychelle as the main suspect. She has to solve this in order to stay out of jail, and it turns out, alive. This is a great story. The bad guys are exceedingly bad, there's a lot of suspense and action, and there's a touch of romance. Very highly recommended.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Due Justice - Diane Capri

Due Justice is the first Judge Willa Carson thriller in the Hunt for Justice Series. This novel is $4.99 for the kindle, but it's half of a double feature book called Florida is Murder. That book is free for the kindle.

Willa Carson is a federal judge. Willa and her husband George live in sunny Florida on their own island, Plant Key. When Willa's almost sister Carly mysteriously knows the identity of a body that washes ashore, Willa is worried. Not only could Carly be in trouble, but if Willa is withholding evidence in a crime, she could be impeached. Especially when the body was weighed down with concrete blocks, tied up, and has a bullet hole in the head. This is a good story, although a bit pretentious. It's hard to feel a lot of sympathy when everyone is driving Bentleys, wearing designer clothes, and playing golf. The real problem is the typos. There are frequently missing words and even incorrect words. This is not an author problem, but the kindle version of the book could sure use a good editor. All that said, still highly recommended.