Monday, April 29, 2013

Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicle - Marie Harbon

Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicle is the first novel in the five part Seven Point Eight series. This book 99 cents for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members. The cliff hanger at the end of this novel is steep.

Paul Eldridge is a university lecturer in physics. Max Richardson is a business man. Max engages Paul to research the philosophical and spiritual implications of physics. Max hires Paul to search for the human soul. Max and Paul work with people who have special skills; telepaths, mediums, psychics, and remote viewers. One in particular, Tahra Mamoun, becomes the focus of Max and Paul's research and personal life. Can this band of explorers find the answer to the human soul?

This story is compelling. However, it's also disjointed. The continual change of reference from person to person, and switching back and forth from live narrative to journal notes, can be confusing. There are characters injected into the story that are out of time and not explained. This could be to provide mystery, but confusion was the result. I recommend this book, especially if you intend to complete the series. Just be aware it will take more than one novel in the series for things to become clear.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Shadows & Secrets - Chautona Havig

Shadows & Secrets is book one in the Annals of Wynnewood series. This book is free for the kindle. This story is full of secrets and adventures.

Philip Ward is 12 years old, and still a boy by any standard. Philip is apprenticed to the village fletcher. The Ge-sceaft is a cloaked creature of mystery. It lives with the village midwife and roams the woods and fields around village of Wynnewood. The Ge-sceaft is blamed for all the village woes, because everyone is afraid of it, and it's easy to blame what you fear. Philip and the Ge-sceaft become friends. Their adventures lead them to dragons and pirates, and in the end to perhaps saving the entire village from disaster. This is a great book for young and old alike. Very highly recommended.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Peter and the Vampires - Darren Pillsbury

Peter and the Vampires is the first volume in the Peter and the Monsters series. This book is free for the kindle. These stories will be great for any kids in the family. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I'm just a big kid anyway.

Peter Normal is a 10 year old kid from California. When things get rough, Peter, his two year old sister Beth, and his Mom have to move back home to his Grandfather Flannagan's house in Duskerville. Duskerville is just a small town, but it has big problems. Peter meets the kid next door, Dill, and together they fight off all kinds of monsters. This book is a great series of stories that make you laugh and make you gasp. Both, as Dill would say, will almost make you pee your pants. Very highly recommended.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Created, The Destroyer - Richard Sapir, Warren Murphy

Created, The Destroyer is the first book in the Destroyer series. This book is free for the kindle. This story reads like a graphic novel, but without the graphics. Once you adjust to the cadence it's a great read.

Remo Williams is a cop and he's is on death row. Remo's been framed for a murder he didn't commit. What Remo doesn't know is he's been recruited for CURE, an organization so secret nobody knows about it but the president. If he can survive being recruited, Remo is going to be CURE's first assassin. Remo is going to be The Destroyer. Very highly recommended.

The Spiritual Singularity - Ray Mazza

The Spiritual Singularity is the third and final book in the Day Eight Series. I recommend reading all three books back to back to back. This book is $2.99 for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members.

Ezra has interfaced with President Paxton, but the frailty of Paxton's humanity is corrupting her. Can Trevor break that connection? What lengths will he go to to stop Ezra? What will Ezra evolve into? Surprises and suspense. A very satisfying ending. This is a great series. Very highly recommended.

Of Mice and Hitmen - Ray Mazza

Of Mice and Hitmen is the second book in the Day Eight Series. This book is 99 cents for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members. You have to read these books in order. The first book is The Reborn. The third and final book in the series is in my queue.

Trevor Leighton finally meets Ezra. Ezra is a human simulation, made possible by some of Trevor's code. She has plans to save humanity, but we all know that saying about the best laid plans of mice and men. Trevor is in a desperate race to try and stop Ezra before her plans go off track. Amazing book. Very highly recommended.

Monday, April 15, 2013

The Reborn - Ray Mazza

The Reborn is the first book in the Day Eight Series. This book is 99 cents for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members. I've already downloaded the second book in the series.

Trevor Leighton is a software engineer. Just one of hundred employed by Day Eight, but Trevor wrote some code years ago that he doesn't even remember. Trevor is now caught up in a situation that will change his life, and maybe the whole world. That is if Trevor lives through it. I plan to read the rest of this series, even if I have to pay for it. Very highly recommended.

A Death Displaced - Andrew Butcher

A Death Displaced is the first book in the Lansin Island Series. This book is $2.99 for the kindle. It was free when I downloaded it. I'm glad I didn't pay for it.

Nick Crystan is a 24 year old part-time clerk in a crystal shop on Lansin Island. Nick is a wimp and a whiner. Nothing about his character is appealing to me. Juliet Maystone is the 25 year old owner of a cafe on Lansin Island. A cafe that her rich parents bought for her. Juliet is busy and active and aware that she leads a life of privilege. Nick and Juliet are brought together by fate in a way that changes both their lives. Except for Nick's character being such a loser, the story is interesting. Then the conclusion of the book is so bad, it almost makes you regret reading to the end. Parts of the book are worth reading, but on the whole I don't recommend it. Don't waste your money. I'm glad I didn't waste any of mine.

Awaken - Rachel D'Aigle

Awaken is book one in the Fated Saga series. It's free for the kindle.

Meghan and Colin Jacoby are twins. They've never lived in one place since they're Uncle, Arnon Jacoby, took them in at age two. This summer they turn 13 and they'll discover things about themselves they never imagined. This is an interesting story, but definitely written for young adults. Warning, there is a pretty steep cliff hanger at the end. The next book in the series is the only cure. Highly recommended.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Afraid - J.A. Konrath, Jack Kilborn

Afraid is a novel about terror. This book is $3.99 for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members.

Sal and Maggie Morton were the first. They wouldn't be the last. The helicopter crashed near their cabin and that's when it started. Sheriff Ace Streng got the call just as he was settling in for the evening. He was getting ready to dig into a bowl of chili when the phone rang. Ace never got back to that chili. This book was almost impossible to put down. The action never let up, and the suspense was a primal force. What got turned loose on the peaceful little town of Safe Haven Wisconsin? Read the book. Read it in a well lighted room. Very highly recommended.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam is $9.99 for the kindle. This book was published in 2005. That's before we elected a Muslim president. It's too bad the electorate didn't read this book before the 2008 election. Sadly, American's awareness of what Islam really means hasn't improved one bit since this book was published.

Islam is not just about religion. Islam is religion and politics all rolled into one dogma, and that dogma is focused on nothing less than world domination. That sounds pretty simplistic, but read this book, and get some understanding of what Islam means from the perspective of the Qur'an. If you can still sleep peacefully at night, you weren't paying attention.

This book is a hard hitting, clear description of what Islam has accomplished through the ages. The descriptions of the crusades, and the Muslim conquests that preceded them, make it clear that it's not Christians, Jews, or any other group that persecute Muslims. It's the other way around. True Muslims don't consider any other people to be their equal. All of humanity is divided into Muslims and unbelievers, and unbelievers don't count for much except to pay taxes to Muslims or be slaves. The Qur'an endorses lying to, breaking promises to, and killing non-believers. It's only a sin to lie and cheat and kill other Muslims. This is a scary book, but very well documented and completely believable. Very highly recommended.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Islam: The Religion and the People - Bernard Ellis Lewis, Buntzie Ellis Churchill

Islam: The Religion and the People is a good overview. This book is $9.90 for the kindle. Sometimes you have to pay to learn.

This book covers a great deal of information, but nothing in great detail. The topics range from clothing and economy to women and war. If you views Islam as monolithic, this book will educate you to the diverse groups that make up the Muslim world. There are Muslims, there are fundamentalist Muslims, and there are fundamentalist Muslim terrorists. Most Muslims are not in the last two groups, just like most Christians are not part of the Westboro Baptist Church.

The authors conclude with comparing Islamofascism to what they consider the two greatest threats to civilization in recent history, Nazism and Bolshevism. The authors consider radical Islam to be the third great threat to civilization. They're not sure civilization will survive it. The appendices are quite dry, but good for reference. I enjoyed this book and feel it gave me useful information. Highly recommended.

Sunday, March 31, 2013

A Hint of Frost - Hailey Edwards

A Hint of Frost is the first book in the Araneae Nation series. This book is now $4.24 for the kindle. The world of the Araneae Nation is like none I've read about before. This story is ripe with possibilities for more books, but it comes to a very satisfying conclusion all on its own.

Lourdes is the oldest daughter of the Maven and Paladin of the clan Araneidae. Suddenly she finds herself the new Maven, when her clan is attacked and her parents killed. Lourdes seeks help from the clan Mimetidae to defeat the attacking Theridiidae. Part of her bargain for this help, is that she wed a male from the Mimetidae clan.

Rhys is the youngest son of the Mimetidae Maven. He's a fierce and fearless warrior. He's also a mystery. Rhys has secrets that few know. Some secrets that could get him killed.

Rhys is the Mimetidae male chosen to marry Lourdes and cement the alliances between the Araneidae and the Mimetidae clans. Can Lourdes and Rhys make this marriage of convenience work? Can they recover Lourdes sister Pascale, who fled the attack on the Araneidae, but may have been part of the Theridiidae plot? The adventures and intrigue that follow make a great story. It takes some work to get familiar with this new world, but it's worth the effort. Very highly recommended.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Threads That Bind - Brant Williams

Threads That Bind is the first book in the Havoc Chronicles. This book is $2.99 for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members. A whole new take on supernatural.

Madison Montgomery is a pretty normal teenage girl. She's a little on the heavy side and not popular, but she's smart and her family is solid. Madison is just getting ready to test for her driver's license. That's when her change hits. It turns out, Madison is not so normal after all. The changes are slow at first, but when she starts to glow in the dark she knows something is definitely going on.

I really liked this book right up to the last page or two. This is just about the worst ending ever for such a good book. A huge disappointment. I still recommend the book. The first 300 pages are great.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum - Stephen Prosapio

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is $2.99 for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members. If you like ghosts, spirits, and even a demon or two, this is the book for you.

Zach Kalusky is the host of a TV reality show called Xavier Paranormal Investigators. What most don't know is Zach has some interesting paranormal of his own going on. When the XPI team are tasked with investigating the Rosewood Asylum they're thrilled, but they have to share this investigation with another team from the show Demon Hunters. XPI is a serious scientific investigation, while Demon Hunters are all about the WOW. Both teams will find they've taken on more than expected. Not everyone associated with Rosewood is going to survive. Hang on for a wild ride. Highly recommended.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Sweet Blood of Mine - John Corwin

Sweet Blood of Mine is book one in the Overworld Chronicles. This book is still free for the kindle. Snap it up.

Justin Case is a 17 year old high school student. He's got a happy family and seemingly normal life. Justin is an admitted pudgy nerd, and he spends most of his time focused on Kings and Castles. Justin is having a crisis though. He's changing and he can't figure out why. Just when he could use some parental advice his Mom splits and his Dad turns into a drunk. Everything in Justin's life is heading downhill fast when he's befriended by the school's goth chick, Crye Rayne. Magic, monsters, rescues, and romance make a very interesting and entertaining coming of age story. This is not your average paranormal teenage fantasy. I'd take this story over Twilight any day. Very highly recommended.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Divergent - Veronica Roth

Divergent is $5.70 for the kindle. If you like books about dystopian societies, and are familiar with Chicago, you'll want to read this novel. Imagine Lake Michigan without the water.

Beatrice Prior is a 16 year old Abnegation girl. Abnegation is just one of the five factions making up society around what used to be Chicago. But Beatrice is different. She's divergent. Beatrice chooses to become a Dauntless on her decision day, and takes the name of Tris. This decision changes her life, and the whole of society, in ways she can never imagine. A coming of age novel like no other. Action, suspense, and a little romance. Very highly recommended.

Reprisal - Colin Nelson

Reprisal is $3.99 for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members. Islamic terrorists have decided to up the ante and Minnesota is the bullseye on the target.

Zehra Hassan is a Muslim woman and a public defender in Minneapolis. Paul Schmidt is an FBI agent. He's part of a task force that was investigating Somali Muslim men disappearing from the twin cities area. Mustafa Ammar is a geneticist working for the Minnesota company, Health Technologies. But that's just Mustafa's day job. Mustafa is planning the biggest terrorist attack on America in history. Zehra and Paul are going to have to stop Mustafa before Minnesota becomes the epicenter of the worst epidemic in modern history. This is a good book, but not great. The disjointed editing, and dead ends used as filler, distract from what could be a great suspenseful thriller. Recommended.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Dodge the Bullet - Christy Hayes

Dodge the Bullet is free for the kindle. This book has cowboys, cattle, politics, greed, gunfights, and sex. It's an adventure, but it's a romance novel at heart. Don't hold that against it, because it's a great read.

Sarah Woodward is a widow with two young boys. After her husband's death, Sarah finally decides to move from Atlanta to the small town of Hailey, Colorado and become a cattle rancher.

A.J. Dodge is a rancher with a past. A past he's not proud of. When a friend convinces Dodge to help Sarah learn the ranch business, it starts more than one kind of trouble. Sparks fly between Sarah and Dodge, but the real trouble is going to be hanging on to Sarah's ranch when some powerful people want it for themselves. Highly recommended.

Friday, March 15, 2013

The Forever Gate - Isaac Hooke

The Forever Gate is a five part novel. This is part one, and it's 99 cents for the kindle, but free for Amazon prime members. It's short but good. Not good enough for me to pay for the other parts though.

Hoodwink is scheduled for execution. In Hoodwink's world there are people and gols, and the gols are in charge. Each city is surrounded by the Forever Gate. If Hoodwink can escape, the Forever Gate may be his only chance to stay alive. But no one who has passed the Forever Gate has ever come back. Think Matrix and strange. This book was good for what there was. Again, this is part one of a five part novel. Recommended.