GATHERING STORM

It took longer than expected, but at last, GATHERING STORM, the thrilling sequel to Through a Glass is published.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q1RUV8W

Excellent. This is a really good story.

This is Nate Roten's debut novel. It was among a number of books put forward for a vote. It won. Having voted for it myself, I received a copy to read and review. I'm glad I did, because this is a great read. The writing style is fast paced, pulling the reader ever deeper in. Okay, in the beginning, it's a bit slow going; but boy, once it gets moving!!

I'm not going to do a breakdown of the story, as others have already done that. Suffice to say, the story revolves around young Graham, a fifteen year old orphan with incredible powers. Graham knows that two mysterious people Chase and Cavaness hold the answers he needs to his nightmares and the strange powers...powers he can't control, and that he fears will harm those around him.
With his best friend Damien, he goes in search of Cavaness, but the boys find more than they bargained for.

Every character in the book has great depth, there was not one I could say was weak and unconvincing; even those with a minor role to play. I particularly loved little Ailey. She was basically silent, being a mute; but boy, did she make her presence felt.

However, I do have one complaint. In parts, I found myself editing! Which was annoying and a shame, as this is an excellent story. It's the reason I gave the book four, instead of five stars; which to my mind it deserved.

Aegis: Catalyst Grove is excellent and one I recommend. The way it ended, I know there is more to follow...great!!! 

http://www.amazon.com/Aegis-Catalyst-Grove-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B00MSQ7EC6/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_1

I eagerly awaited this book...I was not disappointed.

I loved Scribbles by Tommie Lyn, and have waited eagerly for the next book. And I have to say Scribbles 11: Escape, has not disappointed. What a thriller! It was great to catch again with Meg MacAllister, and a character I loved in the first book, Granny Mac. However, it’s important to state that Scribbles 11 stands alone, as the author ties things up nicely. But I would certainly suggest reading both the books, as they are great! Scribbles 11 takes you on a heck of a ride. Meg and Johnny have rec...more I loved Scribbles by Tommie Lyn, and have waited eagerly for the next book. And I have to say Scribbles 11: Escape, has not disappointed. What a thriller! It was great to catch again with Meg MacAllister, and a character I loved in the first book, Granny Mac. However, it’s important to state that Scribbles 11 stands alone, as the author ties things up nicely. But I would certainly suggest reading both the books, as they are great! Scribbles 11 takes you on a heck of a ride. Meg and Johnny have recently married, and are off on their honeymoon, which quickly turns into a nightmare, as a black SUV is following them. They have no idea why, and so begins a race to escape it. To make matters worse, whenever they stop for food or gas they see Johnny’s face splashed across the TV’s, proclaiming him to be a murderer. Now they are forced to keep a low profile, and when they stop on the roadside and briefly leave their car, it is stolen by a couple of thieves. Their only choice is to take the old truck the thieves have abandoned, which without giving the story away, proves to work in their favour. The story quickly hots up, culminating in a pretty shocking scenario. Frighteningly, it is something that God forbid, could so easily happen in this day and age. It is hard to say more without giving away spoilers. Suffice to say Scribbles 11: Escape, was everything I’d hoped, and kept me reading late into the night…I’m not complaining. It’s a great thriller, and I highly recommend it. http://www.amazon.com/Scribbles-II-Escape-MacAllister-Novel-ebook/dp/B00H8JXZX0/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412111544&sr=1-2&keywords=Scribbles+by+Tommie+Lyn

Loved This!!

 

I loved this, it's become one of my favourite books. I wasn't sure when I first started to read it, as I thought it was about elves and such...not a subject I'm particularly interested in. I was imagining little people with long pointed ears, how wrong can you be!

To me this is very much an adult fantasy. The hero Duke Vahn is gorgeous! He's an Elva who are the superior race...tall, strong and elegant. Where as the Itzi are small, inferior and more often than not, slaves.
Kee a free Itzi is orphaned and chooses to become Duke Vahn's free will slave. Understandably, she falls for him. The Duke is a good man...authoritative, but kind and fair.

To me Kee epitomizes true self sacrifice and service. At first I found her irritating and annoying, but as I read on I grew to like her. She had great strength and integrity, both of which she certainly needs as the story unfolds.
This is the first of three books. I've read them all avidly and can't recommend them highly enough.
They are well written and challenge on the issues of prejudice, slavery and cruelty.

http://www.amazon.com/Dukes-Handmaid-Book-Ascendancy-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00102936Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411466371&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Dukes+Handmaid

This short story is brill!!

 

 

Dust is brilliant! It's a short story, and on reflection probably just as well, due to the tension it engenders. It's a unique story! Well written and fast paced. It certainly makes you think. When I'd finished it, I found myself trying to figure out the best place to hide, if such a frightening scenario should happen in the here and now...scary thought.

Great story, I loved it.

http://www.amazon.com/Dust-Expanded-Allison-M-Dickson-ebook/dp/B004WP2JDK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411465524&sr=1-1&keywords=Dust+by+Allison+M.+Dickson

Reading and Reviewing. .

I love to read, and I also enjoy reviewing books. Pretty much every book I read I review.
However, I like the whole process to be relaxing. I hate it when I feel under pressure to finish a book as quickly as possible.
That's fine if I'm not particularly enjoying it, but if I am, I like to savour a book and really let the story soak into my mind and imagination.
When reviewing, I always do my best to be fair and encouraging. Being a writer myself, I know how destructive a harsh review can be. Their is honesty, and then there's tearing an author's work apart...nit picking in some cases and making no attempt to repair the damage at any stage. No crumb of comfort to ease the authors damaged ego. Being creative, we are sensitive creatures.
Over the years of writing, I've had to acquire a thickish skin and broad shoulders. I've learned  reviews, valid though they are, are merely someone's personal opinion, and as such, will not effect my future as an author in any way. So, I shake my shoulders, brush myself off and keep writing. In the hope that one day I will produce if not a best seller, then certainly a book that makes an impact on those who read it.
So while I keep writing, I keep reading and reviewing. Learning from other authors, and I hope encouraging them along the way.
There are some great books out there, enough to keep me happy for many years to come. I look forward to the opportunity of reading and reviewing some of them; as I hope others will read and review mine.

Beautiful and Poignant.

 

 

 

Casa de Naomi by Paula Rose Michelson, is about Naomi a lovely young Jewish woman who due to unforeseen circumstances finds herself stranded and alone on Ellis Island...until an old lady named Tia rescues her. When I first started to read the book, I confess I thought the old lady along with help from the Ellis Island official was kidnapping Naomi. However, the opposite was true; Tia took Naomi home and looked after her. The old woman gave her a life and a future.
When Tia died, Naomi took over the work of helping the vulnerable young women arriving at Ellis Island. Sadly one day she rescued the wrong girl...Lola. What a nasty piece of work she is! I will say no more as I do not wish to give away any part of the story.
Casa de Naomi is quite the most beautiful and poignant story I've read in a long while. I found the style of writing both poetic and romantic. In some small way it reminded me of Song of Solomon.
Not one character, no matter how small the part they play in the story is side-lined. Each one is written with such depth. The author's portrayal of Spanish Harlem is so artistic; one can almost smell the food and spices in the market place.
This is a story based around the powerful human emotions of, deception, mistrust, love and betrayal.
It's a brilliant book, and really makes one think about the insidious evil that is anti-Semitism. I am so pleased I had the opportunity to read it. I can't wait to read book 2.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Casa-Naomi-House-Blessing-Blessings/dp/1613461380/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411403360&sr=8-1&keywords=casa+de+naomi+the+house+of+blessing