Hold on to your hats people. While I don’t expect every book in a series to be better than the previous ones, I do expect to see characters grow and plots thicken. Never fear, as this one is every bit as good, if not better, than the others.
It’s been a month since John’s last otherworldly encounter and he’s feeling more in control of his urges. Enough to challenge a demon to come and get him. The demon, Nobody, accepts his challenge and the consequences are dark indeed. The author through me a curve ball here. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you give this one a listen. Lots more than meets the eye.
So much of this story reads as genuine. Almost creepy at times how that happens. It’s told in 1st person from John’s own mind. And with him being a budding sociopath, it gets twisted.
He’s not only juggling normal teenage hormones and angst, he’s also dealing with a controlling mother and doubts about his own set of rules. It’s compounded by a girlfriend, Marci. He didn’t expect to have a romantic relationship, and she’s something he can’t categorize and ignore. I, for one, think she’s a perfect fit for him.
Dan keeps the story tight, no fluff, all business. And the business is sordid and dark. Especially the ending. I hoped for one thing, got something else, and while it was devastating, it was the right way to go. All I could think was, I want some more, please.
5 Stars
Narrator Kirby Heyborne
Kirby continues to do well narrating this series. I’ve noticed that when I’m reading a book, my mind jumps forward, anticipating what might be about to happen and sometimes spoiling the surprise. Funny how that happens. While narrating, Kirby stays on course and the inflections come at the right times, so anticipation builds as the action increases. A great choice and fit for this thrilling series.
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Thanks so much to Tantor Audio and the author for this complimentary copy.
My review is voluntarily given.
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Synopsis
John Cleaver has called a demon—literally called it on the phone—and challenged it to a fight. He has faced two of the monsters already, barely escaping with his life, and now he’s done running; he’s taking the fight to them. But as he wades through his town’s darkest secrets, searching for any sign of who the demon might be, one thing becomes all too clear: in a game of cat and mouse with a supernatural killer, the human is always the mouse.
In I Am Not a Serial Killer, we watched a budding sociopath break every rule he had to save his town from evil. In Mr. Monster, we held our breath as he fought madly with himself, struggling to stay in control. Now John Cleaver has mastered his twisted talents and embraced his role as a killer of killers. I Don’t Want to Kill You brings his story to a thundering climax of suspicion, mayhem, and death.
It’s time to punish the guilty.
And in a town full of secrets, everyone is guilty of something.
Hi ya’ll and welcome to my stop on the tour for Xenogeneic: First Contact, a thrilling science fiction story.
I have much to share, including my review, an interview with Author Lance Erlick, and a giveaway, so don’t forget to enter.
Please welcome Lance Erlick and enjoy this interview first.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was eleven and decided I could write adventure stories like those I was reading. It was a disappointing effort, but I had the bug and learned that I had much to learn. I wrote short pieces from time to time and then took up writing again in college. When I got a full-time job, I had to put writing aside but kept coming back to it until I wrote my first full novel. It was the one I had to get out of my system before I could begin to be a real writer.
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
I always have stories floating around in my head. Ideas and characters grab me whenever I’m not writing. The seeds for them come from news, events of the day, and what I read or see. Often they come from imagining “what if” type situations involving people in unusual circumstances. Then my imagination takes off trying to figure out how I might handle things if I were a particular character facing these problems.
A seed for Xenogeneic: First Contact was the SETI project to communicate with potential aliens on other planets. The idea is to make contact with others to share ideas and possibly technology. But we are also advertising that we’re here for anyone who might not wish us well. That led to the central idea of first contact with such an alien species. A cornerstone of the Rebel series is a civil war between hard core believers on both sides, which was inspired by the angry politics we’ve seen in this country over the past couple of decades. The question I asked was what happens if both sides win. For the Regina Shen series, there has been much talk about abrupt climate change. I wanted to explore a world where it has already happened.
What does your writing process look like?
For some stories, I do extensive outlining and brainstorming before I write the first word. I’ve also had stories that seemed to narrate themselves because I’d gotten to know the characters so well in their situation. Often I wake in the middle of the night with scenes or solutions to story problems and then have to make notes in the dark. When I’m ready, I focus on a first draft to get the story out and breathe life into it. I liken this to putting modeling clay on the spinning wheel. Then I edit and mold the story until I’m happy with how it feels and works. While I find the editing process tedious at times, I find it vital in the process of molding the final story.
If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?
I wouldn’t want to be a character in Xenogeneic: First Contact, the Rebel series or the Regina Shen series because of what the characters have to face. Having said that, I can see myself as Elena Pyetrov (Xenogeneic: First Contact) and Regina Shen. When dropped into a new situation, they have an almost innate ability to assess their environments, figure out how bad it is and what they need to do, and carry on. They don’t have all the answers, but they don’t give up.
Were there any characters that you did not like?
I found General Gorg from Xenogeneic: First Contact an individual I would never want to meet and yet I understand where she’s coming from and her motivation to be so entirely focused she tramples over others. Inspector Volpe (Regina Shen series) is power hungry, driven by personal values that make sense for her and yet tread on innocent people along her path to success. In The Rebel Within, I didn’t like some of the power figures who were trying to perpetuate their power at the expense of others. I guess there’s a theme here. Yet I try to portray each villain in terms of working toward what makes sense to them (heroes of their own stories).
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Xenogeneic
by Lance Erlick
Genre: Science Fiction / Fantasy
My Review
It’s winner takes all in the fight for Earth. When the Knoonk, an alien species, lose their civil war, they set there eyes on Earth as their new home and go about their insidious plan in unimaginable ways.
This story feels “alien.” What I mean is, the way the aliens think and act is so different from humans how could we ever hope to negotiate with them. They look like we picture them to be, grey little beings from outerspace. It’s how they think that throws us. For example, even the pinkish color of our skin is an abomination to them. Color is ugly and hurts their eyes. If how we look is an insult to them, why would they treat us humanely.
But, when Dr. Elena Pvetrov’s ship crashes on an strange planet, she’s determined to try. The Knoonk have many tricks up their sleeves to keep their human captives off balance and controllable. As she adjusts to her new life, she studies her captors, forges friendships and alliances, and tries to get back home to Earth to warn them of what is coming.
I knew this was going to be a hard one to review. So much to tell, yet I can’t without spoiling things for you. The author put me in so many character’s shoes, I stumbled my way along, conflicted about my feelings towards them. Not in a bad way though. More like a challenging one. I liked some that I probably shouldn’t and disliked some in the same way. This certainly kept me turning the pages to learn more about them.
An intriguing beginning to this science fiction adventure and one I would like to follow to its conclusion.
4 Stars
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Synopsis
Xenogeneic is a science fiction thriller about first contact with an alien race that lost their civil war and wants to take over Earth.
Dr. Elena Pyetrov’s father vanished in space 18 years ago while searching for extraterrestrial life. As an aerospace engineer, Elena travels into space to search for answers and continue his work. Her ship is pulled off course and crashes. She suspects extraterrestrial interference.
The alien Knoonk lost their civil war in a distant star system and fled to Earth’s neighborhood to hide and regroup. They seek a new home—Earth. Unable to live in Earth’s toxic environment, the aliens kidnap and use humans to genetically modify their species to adapt.
Surviving the crash, Elena and her shipmates are transported to a closed cave system where the Knoonk monitor and control everything. Elena tries to make a connection with her hosts and find ways to work together, but Knoonk leaders rebuff her and force the humans to submit as slaves. The aliens use illusions, distractions, and social experiments to learn from their hostages and keep them off balance. Resistance by captive humans brings swift punishment to break the human spirit.
While Elena continues to look for ways to cooperate with the Knoonk, it becomes apparent that there can be no compromise. The Knoonk want to capture Earth for their species. It is winner take all. With time running out, Elena must dig deep to uncover the alien plan and find a way to stop them before the human race faces enslavement and extinction.
Lance Erlick writes science fiction thrillers for young adult and adult readers. He is the author of The Rebel Within, The Rebel Trap, and Rebels Divided, three books in the Rebel series. In those stories, he explores the consequences of Annabelle Scott following her conscience. He authored the Regina Shen series–Resilience, Vigilance, Defiance, and Endurance. This series takes place after abrupt climate change leads to the Great Collapse and a new society under the World Federation. His latest novel is Xenogeneic: First Contactabout encounters with an alien race aiming to take over Earth.
I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.
Today’s book is a thrilling adventure and I happened across this one at a resale store I like to visit.
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Feeding Frenzy
Killer Species #2
by Michael P. Spradlin
Grade Level: 3-7 / Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Genre: Adventure / Science Fiction /
My Review
I was in a favorite local thrift shop when I spotted the fabulous cover of this book. Being a huge fan of scary books about creatures from the deep, I quickly snatched it.
Emmet finally gets over his fear of the water and goes snorkeling with his friends. They are quickly attacked by some monstrous creatures and barely make it back to shore alive.
Emmet is convinced that Dr. Catalyst, a crazy invasive species activist, is still alive and back in business. He better prove it soon, as more and more attacks occur.
It was nonstop action in this one. Genetically altered sea creatures released to eat the invasive lion fish. Only problem is they quickly turn to other food, including humans.. What could be scarier. Imagine crossing a barracuda, a shark, and an eel. The better to eat you up.
The characters are engaging and easy to like, or not, depending on whether they’re good guys or bad guys. The action is quick. And even though this is the second book in the series, the author quickly filled me in on past events using only a sentence here and a sentence there. Nothing to slow down my reading.
I scoured the library shelves when I was young, looking for stories just like this. It does get a bit creepy, but there’s no gore, so it’s appropriate for young readers. I’m sure they will eat it up.
Upon finishing this book I had to go see the other ones in the series. I noticed they all had fabulous covers too and all but this one featured Emmet’s courageous dog, Apollo. I guess he hasn’t learned how to scuba dive yet. LOL
This was such a fun book. Kept me on the edge and I’d recommend to anyone of any age that enjoys adventure and using their imagination.
5 Stars
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Synopsis
A brand-new action-packed series from Michael P. Spradlin. Each book covers a genetically engineered super-predator wreaking havoc on the environment.
Time has passed since anyone’s heard from Dr. Catalyst. Emmet and Calvin have even begun to think that the crazed scientist might be gone for good.
But then, on a trip to snorkel off the Florida coast, one of their friends is nearly drowned by an underwater monster, with endless rows of razor-sharp teeth. No one is quite sure what they saw. Was it a moray eel? A giant barracuda?
There’s only one thing Emmet knows for certain. Dr. Catalyst is back. And this time, he’s out for revenge.
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Click on the covers at the top of the post to check out all of the books in the series.
Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews, mostly, about books I’ve read.
For today I’ve got another chapter in the story of Mike Beem. If you’ve read Anthony Renfro’s other zombie books, you’ll recognize him. If you haven’t read them, no worries, as the stories can stand alone.
Flesh For The Zombies
by Anthony Renfro
Genre: Horror
My Review
I’m a fan of short stories and zombies so it was an easy decision for me to read this book. Plus, I’ve been following the story of Mike Beem from the first book the author wrote about him.
Mike Beem is a hero, but he doesn’t think so. He thinks he’s just a man doing what anyone would do to help people and survive the zombie apocalypse.
Things are looking pretty good for the community. They’ve managed to build some kind of life. But it doesn’t last. A darkness comes calling and tragedy strikes. Seeing the destruction and loss of loved ones and friends, Mike snaps. The question isn’t just whether he’ll get his revenge, it’s also, will he be recognizable afterwards.
Anthony is a master at making his characters three dimensional with just a sentence or two to describe them. They become living characters that you can see and come to care about. Or despise, depending on their demeanor. I should know by now that not everyone can live in a zombie apocalypse. It’s horror, after all. But, it gets me every time when someone I only got to know for a brief time, dies. That’s how quickly you can become attached to them.
What happens to Mike’s community is so terribly sad. What Mike does to right the wrong is horrific. I hate that Mike has to go where he does. I can’t see a happy ending. And, if he survives, what he will be afterwards is a looming question as you read this short story.
Big feelings in a short bite of horror.
5 Stars
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Synopsis
When Mike Beem’s community is savagely attacked, he must exact revenge on those who wronged him. He must put aside all the good he has ever accomplished in order to become someone else. A man without a moral compass. A man without right or wrong. A man who is a cold blooded killer. Will he get his justice or will he die trying? The answers lie within the pages of this short story.
I enjoyed the first book in this series and I’ve been following Lauren’s Mac Faraday series too. It’s fun to have the character’s cross back in forth in both of them.
This story focuses on Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton, recently married and getting used to life together.
Jessica is having a recurring nightmare, like a night terror, and they decide the only way to rid her of them is to revisit the scene from whence they come, a horrible crime from her youth. Several people were brutally murdered in Pine Bridge and she had spent the summer there at her relative’s inn.
Jessica and Murphy, along with their dog, Spencer/Candi, arrive at the inn and start to sniff out clues. The deeper they dig, the more dangerous it becomes as bullets fly from in and from all directions.
Boy, this is one tangled up bunch of shenanigans. There’s lots going on and plenty of suspects. I really didn’t know who was guilty of what until right near the end. That’s always a good thing for me.
And, as usual, Lauren drips beloved characters from past stories into this one, just like I’d hope. Bumping into them is always fun, as they stay in my mind from earlier adventures.
I also enjoy the non human characters, of which there are many. Lots of critters romp through all Lauren’s books. One in particular I was hoping to meet again. Monica. She made an appearance. Did she ever.
And I met a new character that quickly became another favorite. Nigel. He’s not a breathing entity. He’s Jessica’s and Murphy’s virtual butler, designed by her brother, Tristan. Nigel comes in very handy with his ability to go anywhere on the internet, plucking out info no one else can. Fun occurs when he starts to become a bit big for his britches.
Another fun, convoluted mystery from a talented author. I’ll always be waiting for the next one.
5 Stars
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Synopsis
After months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.
When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family living near a winery owned by distant relatives she was visiting and suppressed the memory.
Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?
Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers together only to be killed.
Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton, USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims, then he can find their murderer.
The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night shift on the turnpike.
In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in Crime join newlyweds Lieutenant Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to sift through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning killer?
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
What do an anthropologist, a televangelist, a beautiful young woman, a shaman, and a drug lord have in common? Rumors of ancient chronicles somewhere in Mesoamerica draw them all into a race to uncover the secrets. Whether for the thrill of discovery, money, power, they will all be put to the test. The jungle is unforgiving and reluctant to give up it’s secrets.
It took a while for the plot to thicken. The beginning had a lot of detail that slowed the pace, though it’s well researched. Once it got going, it was a thrilling adventure. Lots of intrigue and plotting to keep you turning the pages.
There’s a mixed bag of character’s. Some good. Some bad. The one that drew the most emotions out of me was the man that funded the expedition, Brother Luke. What a warped excuse for a human being and holy man. And the shaman had some surprises for me too.
This is a suspenseful adventure with an exciting ending. I’d recommend this to fans of treasure hunting, anthropology, and plenty of characters with their own agendas.
4 Stars
Synopsis
The Da Vinci Code unsettles. SEALED UP shakes to the core!
UCLA anthropologist Nathan Hill, in a funk since his young wife’s death, learns of staggering millennia-old chronicles sealed up somewhere in a Mesoamerica cliff. This bombshell rocks him out of his gloom, and he leads a clandestine expedition to uncover them. What are they? Who put them there? No one knows. But, self-absorbed televangelist Brother Luke, who funds the expedition, thinks he does. If he’s right, his power-hunger will have off-the-charts gratification.
Striking Audra Chang joins Nathan in his pursuit and brings her own shocking secret. As they struggle through an incredible jungle of puzzles and dead ends, she finds herself falling in love with Nathan. Her secret, though, may make that a non-starter.
When a shaman with a thirst for human sacrifice, and a murderous Mexican drug lord with a mysterious connection to Brother Luke emerge, the expedition appears doomed. Yet Nathan is convinced that fate—or something—demands these inscrutable chronicles be unearthed.
And if they are . . . what shattering disruption will they unleash?
Intricately layered and remarkably researched, this enthralling suspense thriller begs a startling question: Could it happen?
“How much farther?” Paul’s shirt was soaked from sweat.
Itzel looked at him and laughed. “Just like Torrance, huh?” Paul rolled his eyes.
“The cenote.” Ichika pointed to a three-foot-wide path that was recently cut through the brush. They followed it as it turned to the left then sharply to the right. The sinkhole loomed in front of them. The water, a huge blue sapphire, sparkled 15 feet below. Thick emerald-green growth reached down the sinkhole’s sides, but where they were standing, the vegetation had been cleared all the way to the water’s surface.
Paul stood at the cenote’s edge and stared down into the bowl. “You slipped here, you’d go all the way in.”
Itzel shuddered and pulled back; thoughts of her father overwhelming her. Was this what it was like where he fell? She trembled and turned away from the cenote. “Let’s leave.”
Paul looked at her and understood. He almost said something about his stupidity, but decided one foot in his mouth was enough. He motioned for Ichika to take them back the way they came. He put his arm around Itzel, and she leaned her head against him.
“Where are the ruins?” Paul asked. Ichika didn’t say anything, just pointed ahead. The brush and ferns that surrounded them were head high and prevented their seeing anything except along the trail. As they turned to go to where they first entered the path, Kish’s men stood waiting. Ikan, Muluc, and Yochi had machetes, and Gukumatz held a tranquilizer gun.
Paul and Itzel stopped. Ichika, her eyes fastened on the ground, kept going until she stood on the other side of the men. She turned back toward Itzel but wouldn’t look at her. “What’s going on?” Paul demanded in Spanish as he stepped in front of Itzel. Gukumatz raised his gun and shot a dart into Paul’s stomach. Paul flinched at the pain and looked down at his stomach. “What the ….” Paul yanked the dart out and threw it on the ground. A small circle of blood soaked through his shirt. He lunged at Gukumatz and swung his forearm around catching him on the bridge of his nose. Blood spurted from Gukumatz’s nostrils as he fell to the ground; a gash flaring open on top of his nose. Ikan and Yochi dropped their machetes and jumped Paul.
“What are you doing?” Itzel yelled in Lacandón. “Where is Kish?” Muluc grabbed her and threw his arm around her neck, holding her from behind.
“Don’t you hurt her!” Ichika screamed, as she advanced on him. Gukumatz stood up and wiped his nose with his sleeve; blood soaking through his shirt to his skin. His stare at Paul was chilling, and he swore at him in Spanish. Paul tried to get up to come at him. It was all the two men could do to keep him down even though his strength was ebbing. Gukumatz turned away from Paul and pulled a cartridge and a dart from the bag on his shoulder and loaded them into his gun. He walked to Itzel and shoved Ichika aside. He lowered the gun and shot the dart into Itzel’s stomach. She flinched at the pain and stared at Gukumatz. “You pig!” she spat.
Within a few minutes Paul and Itzel were unconscious. Gukumatz pulled the GPS trackers from their belts, turned them off, and slammed them against a rock. He grunted as he picked up Itzel and slung her across his shoulder. The other three men lifted Paul. They headed to the platform ruins.
The place of sacrifice.
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Author Steve Dunn Hanson
I’ve lived in places that grew me . . . from a small Idaho farm town, a run-down neighborhood in St. Louis, and a middle-class southern California community, to Sydney, Australia, and Bucharest, Romania. My experiences are as varied as the places I’ve lived. I have a hopper full of “reality” including being a volunteer jail chaplain and flying with a U.S. presidential candidate in his small plane when an engine conked out. And all of this is fodder for my writing.
My latest book is the action/adventure/suspense novel, Sealed Up.
I appreciate watching the characters grow and their relationships develop. ~Laura’s Interests
I LOVE this series, and this book only serves to illustrate why…I couldn’t stop reading. ~Book Babble
It’s another big hit for this very talented author as A Ghostly Mortality brings us laughs, heartwarming moments and a mystery that is sure to intrigue you. ~Texas Book-aholic!
A Ghostly Mortality: A Ghostly Southern Mystery Paranormal Cozy Mystery 6th in Series Witness (February 28, 2017) Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages ISBN-13: 978-0062466976 E-Book ASIN: B01GONIFFI
My Review
Having followed this series from the beginning, it’s good to be back with these characters.
Emma Lee still suffers from what the town folk refer to as Funeral Trauma. They think she’s a bit off her rocker. I’m surprised she isn’t after having to deal with problems from beyond the grave. She’s a Betweener. She’s sees the ghosts of murder victims. It used to be confined to the ones whose last stop is her funeral home. But that appears to be changing. Also, it may not be confined to just deceased humans.
Her ability hits too close to home when the ghost of her sister comes to her for help. Now, Emma Lee is having to cope with her grief and trying to mend the fences of a sibling relationship that was on the rocks, while also solving her murder.
This was fun and had some new twists. Reading the book was fast. And I really enjoyed the interactions between Emma Lee and her sister, Charlotte Rae. I’m the youngest of four sisters and, even though we’re all very different and have our share of disagreements, we still love each other. A couple of brief scenes was all it took to make me weepy.
I was quite happy with the surprises and the mystery involved in this one. Visiting with the colorful and sometimes wacky characters in this series felt like coming home again and you can bet I’ll be waiting for the next book, and the next….
4 Stars
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Synopsis
That ghost sure looks . . . familiar
Only a handful of people know that Emma Lee Raines, proprietor of a small-town Kentucky funeral home, is a “Betweener.” She helps ghosts stuck between here and the ever-after—murdered ghosts. Once Emma Lee gets them justice they can cross over to the great beyond.
But Emma Lee’s own sister refuses to believe in her special ability. In fact, the Raines sisters have barely gotten along since Charlotte Rae left the family business for the competition. After a doozy of an argument, Emma Lee is relieved to see Charlotte Rae back home to make nice. Until she realizes her usually snorting, sarcastic, family-ditching sister is a . . . ghost.
Charlotte Rae has no earthly idea who murdered her or why. With her heart in tatters, Emma Lee relies more than ever on her sexy beau, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross…because this time, catching a killer means the Raines sisters will have to make peace with each other first.
For years, USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes has been self-publishing her numerous mystery and romance titles with unprecedented success. She is famous not only for her hilarious plotlines and quirky characters, but her tremendous marketing efforts that have earned her thousands of followers and a devoted street team of fans. Be sure to check out Tonya’s website for upcoming events and news and to sign up for her newsletter! Tonyakappes.com
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Tonya Kappes is offering a free audio book for one lucky person who comments PER blog stop. It will be a book she chooses from her previous released books. Be sure to visit the other stops in the tour links at the end of the post for more reviews and chances to win.
To enter, please leave an email so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:
Welcome to My Monday Minis Reviews where I share short reviews of books I’ve read. For today I’ll be sharing my thoughts about Sweet lake by Christine Nolfi, the first book in the Sweet Lake Series.
Sweet Lake
Sweet Lake #1
by Christine Nolfi
Genre: Romance
My Review
There’s something about stories that are written around inns and bed & breakfasts that draws me in. I like to read about the daily running of them and the guests and other characters that reside there.
There’s no lack of colorful characters at the Wayfair Inn. There’s Linnie, daughter and owner of the inn, struggling to bring it back to it’s former glory after her black sheep of a brother, Freddy, nearly put it in bankruptcy. She’s tough in business but soft where the human condition figures into things.
You’ve got her two close friends, Jada and Cat, who constantly pull Linnie’s head out of the sand when she tries to hide from confrontations and personal decisions. Friends like that are handy indeed.
There’s the Sweet Lake Sirens. Among my favorites. A group of older ladies who mind the P’s and Q’s of everyone else. They remind of the Ya Ya Sisterhood and such a hoot.
And there’s local attorney and hottie, Daniel Kittering. He’s carried a torch for Linnie for a long time and things are starting to heat up.
Plus, now Freddy is back in town. So you can imagine the tongues wagging as everyone wonders what the devil he could want. He’s got some nerve as he’s done things to make most everyone angry with him.
I’m very much into character driven stories and this book has a plethora to engage with. And the author has you wishing for happiness for all, even the brother who lost his way.
It all flows fast and furious, keeping the reader immersed in the story, eager for the conclusion, and crossing fingers for a happy ending.
An enjoyable read and great beginning to a fun series. This is the perfect read to enjoy at the beach, or any time, anywhere.
5 Stars
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Synopsis
Linnie Wayfair knows just how many people are counting on her. But knowing doesn’t make doing any easier.
Everyone in Sweet Lake, Ohio, wants her to muster all her business sense and return the Wayfair Inn to its former glory. Her parents hope she’ll forgive her scoundrel of a brother and reconcile the family. The eccentric Sweet Lake Sirens want her to open the inn—and her heart—to new possibilities. And her hilarious lifelong friends Jada and Cat are dropping none-too-subtle hints for her to ignite a romance with Daniel Kettering, the sexy attorney who’s been pining for her for years…
Now a shocking turn of events will open old wounds and upend the world Linnie has carefully built. She has to make changes quickly—and the results, though not entirely what she expected, might be what she’s been yearning for all along.
Today’s review is for a book filled with creatures of the night. It’s free right now too! So, if you want a copy, click on the cover or the link at after the synopsis to grab a copy.
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Ancient Awakening
by Matthew Bryan Laube
Genre: Horror / Action
My Review
I love books with demons, vamps, werewolves, and other scary creatures that come creeping and oozing out of the dark to strike fear and mayhem on us innocent, puny humans.
You get a whole bunch of that when these monsters take over a hospital and start eating or turning people. It appears the deadly ancient ones, seven monsters of legend, are back to do what they do best.
A young lady seeking her absent boyfriend lands right in the middle of this mess. Along with an injured cop, and a strange little man who happens to be “THE” master monster hunter.
The author wastes no time stirring up trouble for these characters and keeps monsters and humans busy: running, dying, the usual stuff.
I did like the creatures, the human characters, and the plot. But it felt a bit rushed at times, and the story didn’t always flow smoothly. And I wanted to know more about the monster hunter and the young woman’s connection with monsters. I suspect that’s the authors plan as I learned at the ending, which was an ending and a cliff hanger, that there’s more to come in this tale.
While this first book didn’t completely wow me, it certainly showed promise and I will be reading the next book. You see, the author has me very curious about one particular monster. I have a feeling I’ll be getting some of the answers I seek and plenty more action.
4 Stars
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Synopsis
Hell comes home to Jersey.
Seven ancient demons known as the Fallen have awakened in New Jersey after a hundred years. Fortunately for Mike and Ann, so has the one man who can stop them, Joseph Miller. Trapped in a hospital filled with mythical monsters, only together can they unravel the mystery of the Cursed and escape with not only their lives but also their very humanity.
Ancient Awakening is a Horror/Action novel with just the right touch of comedy. It is the first book in the series The Ancient which follows the adventures of eccentric demon hunter Joseph Miller. His job is to defend the human race against seven mythical demons and their offspring. Unfortunately for us, he has been dead for the last hundred years. Ancient Awakening is followed by Ancient Enemies.
The all-new second edition of Ancient Awakening is professionally edited, 57,000 words, and includes a free preview chapter of Ancient Enemies.
Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.
I loved both covers for this book and wanted to share them. Which do you like most?
Today’s book is a really creepy one and I do love that!
Through Glass
Glass: Episodes 1 – 3
by Rebecca Ethington
Genre: Dystopian / Horror / Science Fiction
My Review
I enjoyed this right from the beginning. The author gave me two very likeable characters in Alexis and Cohen . She’s been crushing on him for years, but they’re best friends since childhood, and when she makes a move to change that, he foolishly declines, fearing it will spoil their friendship. After being away at college for a year, Cohen’s perspective changes and he allows himself to show his love for Alexis ?.
Too little too late for their budding romance as darkness shutters the world. They have a fun way of communicating. Their houses are next to each other and they open their bedroom windows and talk across the space between. Now Alexis and Cohen separated by the distance between their two houses and can only look at each through the glass in their windows, alone, yet not alone, as creatures form their worst nightmares kill anyone who steps outside.
I melted when Alexis and Cohen finally acted on their feelings for each other. They belong together and it’s so heart breaking when they are separated shortly afterwards. Only able to look at each other through glass.
I was also very excited to see how they would find their way out of the situation and feared the worst. In horror, many authors aren’t shy about killing off their characters and this really ramped up the suspense.
Things get darker, literally and figuratively, as the creatures from the dark exert their dominance and lay claim to the planet. I can’t imagine how scary it would be to know the creatures are coming for you but you can’t see them. The rasp of their talons connecting with something are the only warning.
This book satisfied many of my requirements for a good dystopian horror story.
The only real snag was that it ended with quite the cliff hanger. There are several more episodes and I plan to read them. I have to know what happens next.
5 Stars
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Synopsis
***Volume One includes Books 1-3 of the Through Glass Novella Series***
Everyone remembered the day the sky went black. The day the sun was wiped from the sky. They remember the wind as it brought in the darkness; the way the earth shook and everything changed.
Everyone remembered the screams as the darkness ate those who were out in the open, those who had surrounded themselves by light, and those who made noise.
Everyone remembered the voice from the sky and the way food disappeared.
At least, that’s what I hoped. I hoped that there was an ‘everyone’ that would remember because I am not sure how many are left, how many survived. Or if anyone did.
I hoped that I wasn’t alone.
I remembered that day.
I remembered because it was the day I became alone.
It was the day that everything was perfect until the monsters took it away. Then the house went silent and the birds stopped singing. It was the day when everyone disappeared, everyone except the boy, the only person I have seen in two years.
The boy I talk to through the glass.
![Through Glass by [Ethington, Rebecca]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51gPtwdm5rL._SY346_.jpg)