Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.
I’ve read a bunch of books by Jonathan Janz and this was another good one.
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The Raven
by Jonathan Janz
Genre: Horror
My Review
I’m a huge reader of dystopian, apocalyptic and horror novels and this had plenty to offer. It also had some strange beings, which is something else I’m drawn to.
Dez was a fun character. Though I felt at times that some of his actions weren’t quite believable, who am I do judge when he’s roaming the wilderness, having to face down creatures of myth with no special powers of his own. I chalked it up to future character growth. Which he did do. And there were some really good bad guys. Can I call bad guys really good? Sure, when they are doing dastardly deeds like they’re supposed to.
There’s a couple of scenes that were like apocalyptic shootouts at the OK Corral. Loads of action there. Be prepared for some gory stuff that makes you cringe.
I read this in one sitting and had quite the fun time. Another winner from Janz.
4 STARS
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Thanks so much to Flame Tree Press and Author Jonathan Janz for a complimentary copy.
My review is voluntarily given.
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Synopsis
Fearing that mankind is heading toward nuclear extinction, a group of geneticists unleash a plot to save the world. They’ve discovered that mythological creatures such as werewolves, vampires, witches, and satyrs were once real, and that these monstrous genetic strands are still present in human DNA. These radical scientists unleash the bestial side of human beings that had been dormant for eons, and within months, most people are dead, and bloodthirsty creatures rule the earth. Despite the fact that Dez McClane has no special powers, he is determined to atone for the lives he couldn’t save and to save the woman he loves. But how long can a man survive in a world full of monsters?
FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
Tracy Slater may be a successful pop star, but fame and fortune isn’t everything she thought it’d be. Under the thumb of a husband who is growing steadily more abusive, she’s decided her marriage is over. She just needs to make it through one more trip home for the holidays with him before she’s free.
If only in my dreams…
Stephen Austin worked hard to become the successful novelist he’s always wanted to be. So why isn’t he happy? And why does he feel so lonely? Then he runs into his old girlfriend, the one he thought he had lost forever.
Tormented by the mistakes of their past, Stephen sees his reunion with Tracy as a second chance. But does she feel the same way?
Desperate to please her family, who wants to see her settle down, Charlotte is looking for someone to bring home to pose as her boyfriend. She’s steadily been working her way up to her dream job at a magazine in New York City. But her success goes unnoticed by her family, who are more focused on the newest additions than Charlotte’s professional conquests.
Totally surrounded in your circles…
Kaden Drake might be the new guy at the magazine, but it doesn’t take long for Charlotte to catch his eye. When the editor-in-chief pairs them together for a project, Kaden sees it as the perfect opportunity to ask her out. Only, Charlotte has other ideas.
Faced with another lonely Christmas, Kaden agrees to go with Charlotte to her family Christmas back home. Among the decorations and home-cooked meals, it doesn’t take long for feelings between them to develop. But are they real or just a product of the charade?
Tanya Bennett is still feeling the effects of her mental breakdown from last year after her parents died. She lost a lot of loved ones in a short period of time, but most notably her son, who she can’t see without supervision. With some help from her friends, she’s back on the right track with a new job and volunteering with the school play her son’s in. But a bad reputation is hard to overcome and whether she can spend Christmas with her son hinges on how well her upcoming court date goes.
If not for Christmas, by New Year’s night…
Adam Allen is still trying to figure out how to co-parent with his controlling ex, who is always quick to criticize his parenting. It doesn’t help that he’s so forgetful and he works a lot, but at least he’s trying. It’s hard for him to find someone who can relate, until he meets Tanya.
Adam feels an instant connection with her, but her episode the year before has ripple effects that could alter both of their relationships with their kids.
Tori Helpern always wanted to be a music star, just like her hometown hero Tracy Slater. But Tori never quite found her big break and now she works as a music teacher at the same high school she couldn’t wait to get away from. Feeling washed up, Tori believes her only taste of fame will come from the solo in the holiday choir.
At least I’m gonna say that I tried…
Isaac Powell never needed much to make him happy. He has a good job, a nice house, and fond memories of his family growing up. When he joins the holiday choir for something fun to do after work, he doesn’t expect to get a solo for the upcoming holiday concert.
Nervous about performing in front of a full audience, Isaac asks Tori to help him prepare and she needs to decide whether she should help him succeed or steal the solo away from him.
Tara Fraser’s life is driven by her work at an insurance agency in Chicago. She hasn’t been back home in years and has no intention of going back anytime soon. But then her mother calls and convinces her to book a last-minute flight home for the holidays. Within twenty-four hours, Tara finds herself at one of the biggest airports in the country on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
All the way home I’ll be warm…
Peter Helpern has one last freelance photography job in Chicago before he flies back home to spend Christmas with his family. After a late start on the morning he’s supposed to fly back home, he barely makes it to the airport in time to catch his flight, only to find a seat next to his old college girlfriend.
Tara and Peter quickly resume the bickering they left off years ago, which is only made worse by the unfortunate news the pilot makes: they’re snowed in.
DN Publishing is the publishing company for David Neth, who currently publishes superhero fiction and urban fantasy under his own name and small town romance as D. Allen, with other genres to come in the future. He lives in Batavia, NY, where he dreams of a successful publishing career and opening his own bookstore.
