Zara Hamilton has a rich boyfriend, a great job as a corporate lawyer, and some wonderful BFFs. When her boyfriend Nick is arrested for insider trading, Zara's life starts to fall apart. In a matter of weeks, Zara finds herself doing volunteer work in Namibia. She also realizes she's falling for a man she can't stand, and who apparently can't stand her. In Africa, Zara finds out some amazing things about herself, and that love is not always what you expect it to be. Other than almost overdosing on estrogen, this is a great book. Very highly recommended.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Stiletto Safari - Kate Metz
Stiletto Safari is a novel, but if it was a movie, it would be a total chick flick. A very good chick flick. This book is $2.99 for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members.
Zara Hamilton has a rich boyfriend, a great job as a corporate lawyer, and some wonderful BFFs. When her boyfriend Nick is arrested for insider trading, Zara's life starts to fall apart. In a matter of weeks, Zara finds herself doing volunteer work in Namibia. She also realizes she's falling for a man she can't stand, and who apparently can't stand her. In Africa, Zara finds out some amazing things about herself, and that love is not always what you expect it to be. Other than almost overdosing on estrogen, this is a great book. Very highly recommended.
Zara Hamilton has a rich boyfriend, a great job as a corporate lawyer, and some wonderful BFFs. When her boyfriend Nick is arrested for insider trading, Zara's life starts to fall apart. In a matter of weeks, Zara finds herself doing volunteer work in Namibia. She also realizes she's falling for a man she can't stand, and who apparently can't stand her. In Africa, Zara finds out some amazing things about herself, and that love is not always what you expect it to be. Other than almost overdosing on estrogen, this is a great book. Very highly recommended.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Access to Power - Robert Ellis
Access to Power is a political thriller. This book is $2.99 for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members. This book is one I could not put down. If you like political thrillers, this is a must read.
Frank Miles is a political consultant. His current big project is the race for senator in Virginia. Frank's client has the money to fund a huge campaign, and with three weeks to go Frank is pushing hard. Then Frank's long-time partner is murdered, in what looks like a robbery. Before the bodies stop piling up Frank is running for his life, and the term "dirty politics" takes on a whole new meaning.
In this story, the underhanded tricks that political consultants will stoop to is amazing, and the candidates being touted by the consultants are right down there in the gutter with them. There's probably more truth to that part of the book than fiction. This novel is enlightening and entertaining. Right up to the last page, this book never failed to hold my attention. Very highly recommended.
Frank Miles is a political consultant. His current big project is the race for senator in Virginia. Frank's client has the money to fund a huge campaign, and with three weeks to go Frank is pushing hard. Then Frank's long-time partner is murdered, in what looks like a robbery. Before the bodies stop piling up Frank is running for his life, and the term "dirty politics" takes on a whole new meaning.
In this story, the underhanded tricks that political consultants will stoop to is amazing, and the candidates being touted by the consultants are right down there in the gutter with them. There's probably more truth to that part of the book than fiction. This novel is enlightening and entertaining. Right up to the last page, this book never failed to hold my attention. Very highly recommended.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Marked - Kim Richardson
Marked is the first book in the Soul Guardians series. This is a stand-alone book though. There are no cliff hangers to frustrate you. This book is free for the kindle.
Kara Nightingale was a fairly normal 16 year old art student, before she was killed by a bus. Then she became a guardian angel and her life, or death, was anything but normal. Kara is trying to save lives, or at least souls, and fighting demons to do it. This is a book that's great for young and old adults. Humor, suspense, and plenty of action. Highly recommended.
Kara Nightingale was a fairly normal 16 year old art student, before she was killed by a bus. Then she became a guardian angel and her life, or death, was anything but normal. Kara is trying to save lives, or at least souls, and fighting demons to do it. This is a book that's great for young and old adults. Humor, suspense, and plenty of action. Highly recommended.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Max and the Gatekeeper - James Todd Cochrane
Max and the Gatekeeper is a great adventure novel for kids and adults. This book is free for the kindle.
Max Rigdon is 12 years old. He's not happy about having to spend the summer with his grandfather. When Max discovers his grandfather's secret he quickly changes his mind. What kid wouldn't want to learn magic? Max joins his grandfather and friends in the age old battle of good versus evil. It makes for an interesting and dangerous summer. Highly recommended.
Max Rigdon is 12 years old. He's not happy about having to spend the summer with his grandfather. When Max discovers his grandfather's secret he quickly changes his mind. What kid wouldn't want to learn magic? Max joins his grandfather and friends in the age old battle of good versus evil. It makes for an interesting and dangerous summer. Highly recommended.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Dark Visions - Jonas Saul
Dark Visions is book one in the Sarah Roberts Series. There is no cliff hanger though. This novel stands on its own, and does so brilliantly. This book is $2.99 for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members.
Sarah Roberts is 18 years old. She's a troubled young woman who's discovered she has psychic abilities. These abilities manifest as automatic writing. When Sarah has a blackout, she leaves herself notes that predict the future. But Sarah's notes don't just predict, they tell her how to change the future. Sometimes changing the future is a dangerous business.
I loved this book, but it took a while to get used to the almost spartan writing style the author uses. Get past that, and you're going to want to read straight through to the end. Very highly recommended.
Sarah Roberts is 18 years old. She's a troubled young woman who's discovered she has psychic abilities. These abilities manifest as automatic writing. When Sarah has a blackout, she leaves herself notes that predict the future. But Sarah's notes don't just predict, they tell her how to change the future. Sometimes changing the future is a dangerous business.
I loved this book, but it took a while to get used to the almost spartan writing style the author uses. Get past that, and you're going to want to read straight through to the end. Very highly recommended.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Thirst - L.A. Larkin
Thirst is a thriller that takes place in Antarctica. This book $4.99 on the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members.
Luke Searle is an Australian glaciologist. He's a member of the Australian research team at Hope Station in Antarctica. When the station comes under attack, Luke is determined to make it out alive and save as many as he can. The trouble is, he's fighting an enemy he doesn't know, and the relentless weather conditions at the bottom of the world. There's plenty of action and suspense. This book keeps you turning pages way past bed time.
Unfortunately the book is too preachy about environmental issues that the author doesn't even have right. Sorry to let the author know, but even the pseudo-environmentalists beating the drum don't call it global warming any longer. They've switched to climate change so weather changes can't disprove their politically driven theories. I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if the author had kept the politics out of it. Get a soapbox someplace and leave your books alone. I still recommend this book for the action and suspense. I won't read anymore by this author though.
Luke Searle is an Australian glaciologist. He's a member of the Australian research team at Hope Station in Antarctica. When the station comes under attack, Luke is determined to make it out alive and save as many as he can. The trouble is, he's fighting an enemy he doesn't know, and the relentless weather conditions at the bottom of the world. There's plenty of action and suspense. This book keeps you turning pages way past bed time.
Unfortunately the book is too preachy about environmental issues that the author doesn't even have right. Sorry to let the author know, but even the pseudo-environmentalists beating the drum don't call it global warming any longer. They've switched to climate change so weather changes can't disprove their politically driven theories. I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if the author had kept the politics out of it. Get a soapbox someplace and leave your books alone. I still recommend this book for the action and suspense. I won't read anymore by this author though.
Friday, February 15, 2013
The Geronimo Breach - Russell Blake
The Geronimo Breach is a spy thriller with some serious political commentary. Of course the spy in this novel would make Inspector Clouseau look like James Bond. It would be a comedy of errors, except it's deadly serious. This book is free for Amazon prime members and $4.57 for others.
Albert Ross is a diplomat stationed in Panama. Al is a loser, a boozer, and shady to boot. He uses his diplomatic status to do a few side jobs to pay for his bookies and his booze. Al takes what looks like a simple job, escorting a man across the border to Columbia. The job is not as simple as Al thought. When bodies start to pile up, Al finally realizes he's taken a job he won't be coming back from, one way or the other. Plenty of action for anyone. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very highly recommended.
Albert Ross is a diplomat stationed in Panama. Al is a loser, a boozer, and shady to boot. He uses his diplomatic status to do a few side jobs to pay for his bookies and his booze. Al takes what looks like a simple job, escorting a man across the border to Columbia. The job is not as simple as Al thought. When bodies start to pile up, Al finally realizes he's taken a job he won't be coming back from, one way or the other. Plenty of action for anyone. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very highly recommended.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Halfskin - Tony Bertauski
Halfskin is science fiction. This novel is about a process that goes beyond modern medicine. A process that has the potential to change mankind forever, if mankind will let it. This book is $2.99 for the kindle. Free for Amazon prime members.
Biomites are artificial stem cells that can be injected into a human body to help heal injuries, even catastrophic injuries. Biomites can also be used to enhance humans, and that scares some people. There are biomite laws that make it illegal for any human to be composed of more than 50% biomites. Since biomites continue to replace normal human cells as time goes on, everyone will eventually reach that level. When someone cross the 50% threshold they become a halfskin. At that point their biomites are deactivated. Of course, what's left of the human dies.
Nix Richards was in an auto accident when he was five. His parents died, but Nix was saved by biomites. Nix was treated so young that at 18 he's fast approaching that 50% threshold.
Nix's sister Cali Richards is a biomite engineer. Cali makes it her personal crusade to find a way to keep Nix alive. She's very good at her job, but is she that good?
This story something that makes it great. It has a villain who you find yourself yelling at, even though it's a book. Marcus Anderson is chief of the Biomite Oversight Committee. He hides behind his religious zeal, as he looks forward to deactivating halfskins. Evil often hides behind the cloak of religion. Marcus is evil. Can Nix and Cali beat Marcus? He has the full weight of the federal government behind him. It will be close.
I loved this book. It's only February, but this is my favorite novel of the year so far. Very highly recommended.
Biomites are artificial stem cells that can be injected into a human body to help heal injuries, even catastrophic injuries. Biomites can also be used to enhance humans, and that scares some people. There are biomite laws that make it illegal for any human to be composed of more than 50% biomites. Since biomites continue to replace normal human cells as time goes on, everyone will eventually reach that level. When someone cross the 50% threshold they become a halfskin. At that point their biomites are deactivated. Of course, what's left of the human dies.
Nix Richards was in an auto accident when he was five. His parents died, but Nix was saved by biomites. Nix was treated so young that at 18 he's fast approaching that 50% threshold.
Nix's sister Cali Richards is a biomite engineer. Cali makes it her personal crusade to find a way to keep Nix alive. She's very good at her job, but is she that good?
This story something that makes it great. It has a villain who you find yourself yelling at, even though it's a book. Marcus Anderson is chief of the Biomite Oversight Committee. He hides behind his religious zeal, as he looks forward to deactivating halfskins. Evil often hides behind the cloak of religion. Marcus is evil. Can Nix and Cali beat Marcus? He has the full weight of the federal government behind him. It will be close.
I loved this book. It's only February, but this is my favorite novel of the year so far. Very highly recommended.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Omega Zero - Ryan Henry
Omega Zero is a post-apocalypse novel, but without zombies for a change. This book is 99 cents for the kindle.
Trent is on the run from the law. A drug deal gone bad has him hiding in the wilderness along the Appalachian Trail. When he decides to come back to civilization, he discovers the whole world is dying. Trent seems to be immune to the disease that is ravaging humanity, but he can't be sure. Eventually he runs into Emily. She seems to be immune too. The truth is much more sinister though. In the end it's not clear if Trent and Emily will be the last two people on earth. This book was very violent. It seemed appropriate to the story though. The only problem I had was the conclusion of the book. The story just kind of drifted off the end. Still, recommended if you like post-apocalypse.
Trent is on the run from the law. A drug deal gone bad has him hiding in the wilderness along the Appalachian Trail. When he decides to come back to civilization, he discovers the whole world is dying. Trent seems to be immune to the disease that is ravaging humanity, but he can't be sure. Eventually he runs into Emily. She seems to be immune too. The truth is much more sinister though. In the end it's not clear if Trent and Emily will be the last two people on earth. This book was very violent. It seemed appropriate to the story though. The only problem I had was the conclusion of the book. The story just kind of drifted off the end. Still, recommended if you like post-apocalypse.
Black Ops The Gate - Bob Mayer
Black Ops The Gate is a thriller with roots back to WWII. This book is $4.99 for the kindle.
Lake is deep undercover, for a government organization nobody knows about but the president. When he's forced to improvise to stay alive, it's clear his current assignment has become more than he thought it was. More important and more dangerous. Throw in some Koreans, some Japanese, and an atomic bomb from WWII, and the action picks up. Can Lake unravel the puzzle in time to avoid a big boom? You have keep turning pages to find out. Highly recommended.
Lake is deep undercover, for a government organization nobody knows about but the president. When he's forced to improvise to stay alive, it's clear his current assignment has become more than he thought it was. More important and more dangerous. Throw in some Koreans, some Japanese, and an atomic bomb from WWII, and the action picks up. Can Lake unravel the puzzle in time to avoid a big boom? You have keep turning pages to find out. Highly recommended.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Volcano Watch - Toni Dwiggins
Volcano Watch is the first book in the Forensic Geology Series. This is a stand-alone book though. No cliff hangers. This novel was free when I downloaded it. It's now $2.99 for the kindle. Murder and volcanoes make a volatile mix.
Cassie Oldfield is a forensic geologist. Her hometown of Mammoth Lakes has been coexisting with their volcano since the town was founded. Now the volcano is starting to wake up. People are dying, but not from the volcano. Murder is a more immediate threat. The tension is palpable. This is a book I had a hard time putting down. My favorite quote from the book is with regards to the USGS volcano alert levels: "The Survey alert level WARNING does not do this justice. They need another level. HOLY SHIT." Very highly recommended.
Cassie Oldfield is a forensic geologist. Her hometown of Mammoth Lakes has been coexisting with their volcano since the town was founded. Now the volcano is starting to wake up. People are dying, but not from the volcano. Murder is a more immediate threat. The tension is palpable. This is a book I had a hard time putting down. My favorite quote from the book is with regards to the USGS volcano alert levels: "The Survey alert level WARNING does not do this justice. They need another level. HOLY SHIT." Very highly recommended.
Friday, February 1, 2013
The Weight of Blood - David Dalglish
The Weight of Blood is book one in the Half-Orcs series. To characterize this fantasy as dark is like labeling the grand canyon deep. This book is still free for the kindle.
Harruq and Qurrah Tun are half-orcs. Harruq is the big strong warrior type. His brother Qurrah is smaller and thin, but Qurrah has dark magic that makes up for his size. The two half-orcs are living on the fringes of society by theft and murder. It just gets darker from there. I continued to read this book, hoping for some redemption for the two brothers. I was disappointed. When given the chance to choose between good and evil, the brothers almost always choose evil. The book did a good job of pulling the reader in, and I continued to hope that at least Harruq would choose the right path. If you like dark fantasy consider this one, but be warned, it's very dark. Recommended.
Harruq and Qurrah Tun are half-orcs. Harruq is the big strong warrior type. His brother Qurrah is smaller and thin, but Qurrah has dark magic that makes up for his size. The two half-orcs are living on the fringes of society by theft and murder. It just gets darker from there. I continued to read this book, hoping for some redemption for the two brothers. I was disappointed. When given the chance to choose between good and evil, the brothers almost always choose evil. The book did a good job of pulling the reader in, and I continued to hope that at least Harruq would choose the right path. If you like dark fantasy consider this one, but be warned, it's very dark. Recommended.
Monday, January 28, 2013
The 19 Dragons - SM Reine
The 19 Dragons is still free for the kindle. This is a quirky alternate world novel that I really enjoyed. It takes a bit of reading to understand the flow of the story, but once you get it, you just keep reading. This book is only 110 pages, but it's quality, not quantity, that counts.
The 19 dragons have assumed the form of humanity to escape persecution by humans. Now they're all in danger and fighting for their survival. As the dragons fall, so does the world. Can the dragons survive or will they and the world disappear? Highly recommended.
The 19 dragons have assumed the form of humanity to escape persecution by humans. Now they're all in danger and fighting for their survival. As the dragons fall, so does the world. Can the dragons survive or will they and the world disappear? Highly recommended.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
When Women Were Warriors - Catherine M. Wilson
When Women Were Warriors is the first book in the Warrior's Path series. It's still free for the kindle. Get it while you can. It's an amazing book.
Tamras, daughter of Tamnet, just turned 16. It's time for her to be bound to the Lady Merin’s service, and trained as a warrior in her family's tradition. The lessons she learns, the alliances she forms, and the enemies she makes, are all part of this story. Tamras is determined to succeed as a warrior, but on her own terms.
This is a coming of age novel set in another time and place. I truly enjoyed this book and was sad when it ended. It's a great novel. Very highly recommended.
There are some short love scenes in this book, but those scenes don't make the book about sex, anymore than the scenes where people are eating make the book about food. This book is not about lesbians, as some reviewers state. This book is about women who have chosen a warrior's path. Clearly those closed minded reviewers didn't read the whole book. Their loss.
Tamras, daughter of Tamnet, just turned 16. It's time for her to be bound to the Lady Merin’s service, and trained as a warrior in her family's tradition. The lessons she learns, the alliances she forms, and the enemies she makes, are all part of this story. Tamras is determined to succeed as a warrior, but on her own terms.
This is a coming of age novel set in another time and place. I truly enjoyed this book and was sad when it ended. It's a great novel. Very highly recommended.
There are some short love scenes in this book, but those scenes don't make the book about sex, anymore than the scenes where people are eating make the book about food. This book is not about lesbians, as some reviewers state. This book is about women who have chosen a warrior's path. Clearly those closed minded reviewers didn't read the whole book. Their loss.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Reversal of Providence - Mark D. Niehus
Reversal of Providence is $2.99 for the kindle. It's free for Amazon prime members. Terrorists, nukes, what more do you need?
Ryan Anderson is ex-army and a security specialist. When his car is hit by a truck, Ryan finds himself in more than a simple exchange of insurance information. Jessica Webb is a part-time bartender and full time lawyer. Ryan and Jessica meet at the bar where she works and decide to spend some time together, but then someone breaks into Ryan's apartment to ambush him and tangles with them both. Ryan and Jessica could be all that stands between our country and terrorists bent on destroying world peace. This book keeps you turning pages, but the fragmented way it starts out is a little confusing. Still highly recommended.
Ryan Anderson is ex-army and a security specialist. When his car is hit by a truck, Ryan finds himself in more than a simple exchange of insurance information. Jessica Webb is a part-time bartender and full time lawyer. Ryan and Jessica meet at the bar where she works and decide to spend some time together, but then someone breaks into Ryan's apartment to ambush him and tangles with them both. Ryan and Jessica could be all that stands between our country and terrorists bent on destroying world peace. This book keeps you turning pages, but the fragmented way it starts out is a little confusing. Still highly recommended.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The Last Mailman - Kevin J. Burke
The Last Mailman has some additional title, "Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Zombies. That should give you a clue about this book. This novel was free when I downloaded it. It's now $4.99 for the kindle. If you're a zombie fan, it's worth the price.
Donald Jeremy Haddox (DJ) is the last mailman. His job is to travel the zombie infested wastelands, of what used to be America, to determine what happened to the family and friends of the people who made it to safety. This book is hard to put down. The narrow escapes and death defying adventures are like an Indiana Jones movie with zombies, but in print form. Remember a book is always better. Highly recommended.
Donald Jeremy Haddox (DJ) is the last mailman. His job is to travel the zombie infested wastelands, of what used to be America, to determine what happened to the family and friends of the people who made it to safety. This book is hard to put down. The narrow escapes and death defying adventures are like an Indiana Jones movie with zombies, but in print form. Remember a book is always better. Highly recommended.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Sexy Babe - James L. Conway
Sexy Babe was free when I downloaded it. It's now $2.99 for the kindle. This book is pretty explicit, but it doesn't try to titillate. It just delivers a harsh dose of reality in places. This is a great book.
Grace Taylor is an actress. She's been an actress since her Mom put her in a Christmas pageant when she was nine weeks old. Grace is now 28. When she gets an audition to read for the bit part of "sexy babe," Grace figures she's due for a change. However, murder, mayhem, and running from the law weren't part of her plans. Will Grace live to turn her life around? This is a great action movie in book form, and books are always better. Highly recommended.
Grace Taylor is an actress. She's been an actress since her Mom put her in a Christmas pageant when she was nine weeks old. Grace is now 28. When she gets an audition to read for the bit part of "sexy babe," Grace figures she's due for a change. However, murder, mayhem, and running from the law weren't part of her plans. Will Grace live to turn her life around? This is a great action movie in book form, and books are always better. Highly recommended.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Something Witchy - AJ Myers
Something Witchy was free when I downloaded it. It's $4.99 now for the kindle. This book has witches, vampires, and demons in a teen romance with more angst in 300 pages, than Stephenie Meyer crammed into the whole Twilight series.
Ember Blaylock is 18 years old, a senior in high school, and a bandraoi, or blood witch. Of course Ember doesn't know about the witch thing, and that's just part of her problem. Ember is pursued by a demon, and rescued by a vampire who then kidnaps her "for her own good." Ember has to learn about her heritage and her power fast, or her time may be up. This is a good young adult book that I'd recommend to my teenage granddaughters. If it wasn't for the angst I'd really like this book, but then I'm not a teenage girl. Highly recommended.
Ember Blaylock is 18 years old, a senior in high school, and a bandraoi, or blood witch. Of course Ember doesn't know about the witch thing, and that's just part of her problem. Ember is pursued by a demon, and rescued by a vampire who then kidnaps her "for her own good." Ember has to learn about her heritage and her power fast, or her time may be up. This is a good young adult book that I'd recommend to my teenage granddaughters. If it wasn't for the angst I'd really like this book, but then I'm not a teenage girl. Highly recommended.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Death Whispers - Tamara Rose Blodgett
Death Whispers is book one in the Death Series. It's still free for the kindle. Definitely a young adult book, but a good one.
Imagine a world where 8th graders are tested for paranormal abilities as part of their standard aptitude testing. Caleb Hart is just a normal 8th grader, until he finds out he's an AFTD. AFTD is short for Affinity for the Dead. Caleb has a rare talent. Think raising zombies. Caleb and his friends have plenty of normal teenager problems, but nothing compared to the problems they're about to have. Highly recommended.
Imagine a world where 8th graders are tested for paranormal abilities as part of their standard aptitude testing. Caleb Hart is just a normal 8th grader, until he finds out he's an AFTD. AFTD is short for Affinity for the Dead. Caleb has a rare talent. Think raising zombies. Caleb and his friends have plenty of normal teenager problems, but nothing compared to the problems they're about to have. Highly recommended.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Mr. Smoke - Robert Preston Walker
Mr. Smoke was free when I got it. It's now $9.99 for the kindle. I'm not even sure what kind of novel to call this. The author calls the genre "visionary". Maybe he was having a vision when he wrote it.
Damon Gray's parents and grandparents were killed by terrorists. As a result Damon becomes a terrorist assassin named Mr. Smoke. Damon also has special powers as an enhanced human. This book seems to ramble around, more like a diary or journal than a novel. Parts are really interesting and parts make no sense in the context of a story about a terrorist assassin. At times it was like a middle school boy's dream of sex. I read to the end because I wanted to see how the author was going to tie all the disparate parts together. It wasn't pretty, but it was tied up. Sort of recommended, in a masochistic kind of way.
Damon Gray's parents and grandparents were killed by terrorists. As a result Damon becomes a terrorist assassin named Mr. Smoke. Damon also has special powers as an enhanced human. This book seems to ramble around, more like a diary or journal than a novel. Parts are really interesting and parts make no sense in the context of a story about a terrorist assassin. At times it was like a middle school boy's dream of sex. I read to the end because I wanted to see how the author was going to tie all the disparate parts together. It wasn't pretty, but it was tied up. Sort of recommended, in a masochistic kind of way.
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