The Book of Nocera (Part One)

The Book of Nocera by Luke Raven
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An exciting and action-packed sci-fi fantasy...

The Book of Nocera (Part One) by Luke Raven is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn settings and characters. The author weaves a well-crafted Fantasy Action & Adventure that will captivate the reader from the start. Skillfully constructed, this exciting and action-packed sci-fi fantasy will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. There’s plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.

This for me was a phenomenal read. It’s one of those stories that stayed with me long after I finished reading it. The vivid descriptions of the settings, situations, and the people were stunning. The author’s use of genuine dialogue further added to the overall atmosphere of authenticity. The ending has left the door open for at least a sequel, but it has the potential for making a great series.

It’s one of those books that comes along occasionally that will make you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. For sci-fi fans looking for an interesting, three-dimensional, and stimulating read, this would be a great find. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader.

I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Luke Raven in the future. I would recommend this book and also add that it has a distinctly cinematic feel to it. Highly recommended reading and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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The Complete Anthology: John Lars Zwerenz

The Complete Anthology: John Lars Zwerenz by John Zwerenz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A poet in a class of his own...

John Lars Zwerenz is world class all the way. Poetry has lost a lot of its flavor in this new age. When time moves past the current age, the next generation are always influenced by the previous generations even if that influence manifests as a rejection of the values of those who've gone before. Zwerenz 's poetry, however, lacks the awkward self-consciousness of post-modernism even when it compliments it, and that is its beautiful defining element. Highly recommended.


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Arcadia's Children 3 Pushley's Escape

Arcadia's Children 3 Pushley's Escape by Andrew R. Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Arcadia's Children 3 Pushley's Escape… the adventure continues!

Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology. It was a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a lifelong love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them. That book still remains in my collection today. The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It’s a substantial volume, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking, and some are adventurous. I love them all.

Arcadia's Children 3 Pushley's Escape by Andrew R. Williams is the third installment in the Arcadia's Children series. The author weaves another well-crafted sci-fi fantasy that will grab readers and hurl them far beyond the boundaries of our limited world. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this highly imaginative science fiction tale that guarantees the attention of the reader. Skillfully constructed, this fantasy will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. The imagery in the writing style makes you feel like you are right there in the story.

As with the previous two books in this series the ARCADIA’S CHILDREN: SAMANTHA’S REVENGE and ARCADIA’S CHILDREN 2: THE FYFIELD PLANTATION, the main characters remain the same; Mick Tarmy, Claire Hyndman and Nonie Tomio. The author introduces us to this installment with the following synopsis: ‘Ed Pushley is an archaeologist, but his mind has been taken over by a spettro that Mick Tarmy dubbed as Irrelevant. (My name is Irrelevant, Mr. Tarmy.) …Irrelevant and Pushley are now one. Following Irrelevant’s death their minds have fused. Kept captive by Alton Mygael, Pushley frantically tries to find a means of escape. Damaging his isolation helmet during a moment of frustration, Pushley realizes that with perseverance he can remove it, and can use Irrelevant’s immense psychic powers to gain his freedom. Once he does, what will he do to Mick Tarmy and his team? Pushley is intent on revenge.’

I enjoyed the story, the continued character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s magic. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class sci-fi fantasy with perfect pacing.

I’m a big fan of science fiction, so this for me was a phenomenal read. For sci-fi fans looking for an interesting, three-dimensional and stimulating read, this would be a great find. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader.

I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Andrew R. Williams in the future. A well-deserved five stars from me.

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Mile High Death: A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller

Mile High Death: A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller by Leslie Wolfe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller...

Best-selling author Leslie Wolfe weaves another suspenseful and gripping crime thriller. With intriguing twists and turns it captivates the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a riveting and mesmerizing story in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a quick fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the story in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a well written thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of the mystery, thriller and suspense will want it.

Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.


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Wiggly the Worm: Fun Short Stories for Kids (Early Bird Reader Book 1)

Wiggly the Worm by Arnie Lightning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fun Short Stories for Kids...

More often than not children relate themselves with the characters of a good story. In such circumstances, reading fiction can help them to get inspiration from the characters. These stories often portray real life implications through anecdotes, and as such makes it easier for them to understand the complex aspects of life. Moreover, reading these stories at regular intervals can actually help them to develop a positive outlook towards life, which eventually proves beneficial for good character development.

Wiggly the Worm: Fun Short Stories for Kids (Early Bird Reader Book 1) is a delightful and charming book for the younger reader. I read it with my grandkids and they loved not only the stories, but also the lovely illustrations. I thought the text and illustrations worked very well together. It also comes with wonderful engaging activities!

Author Arnie Lightning writes in a wonderful, simple and imaginative style that will guarantee the attention of young minds. If you ever wanted to bond even more with your children or grandchildren, this would be a lovely story to share with them.

It seems to me that this book was created with a lot of love and joy and it’s clear that the author really enjoys creating such wonderful stories. Thank you for sharing with us the gift that you have obviously worked so hard to refine. We’ll be looking forward to seeing what’s coming next. A well-deserved five stars from us!

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Haunting in Hartley: A Supernatural Ghost Story with Paranormal Elements (Haunting Clarisse - Book 2)

Haunting in Hartley by Janice Tremayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A first-class supernatural ghost story with perfect pacing...

Haunting in Hartley: A Supernatural Ghost Story with Paranormal Elements (Haunting Clarisse - Book 2) by Australian author Janice Tremayne is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn settings and characters. The author weaves a well-crafted supernatural tale that will captivate the reader’s attention from the start. Cleverly constructed, this spooky and suspenseful yarn will have you turning the pages from beginning to end.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the books mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It’s been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. This is a first-class supernatural ghost story with perfect pacing.

A spooky tale that will raise more than a few hairs on the back of your neck. It comes recommended, only if you have the nerve to read it! Don’t come crying to me if this isn’t your genre!! A well-deserved five stars from me. Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

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Anonymous Is a Woman by Nina Ansary

Anonymous Is a Woman: A Global Chronicle of Gender Inequality by Nina Ansary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

‘The struggle we engage in on behalf of all humanity is fundamental to life itself.’

Anonymous Is a Woman by Nina Ansary is a powerful reminder to us all of the achievements and sacrifices that woman have made throughout the centuries. Regrettably, I must admit I haven’t heard of most of the women mentioned in this book. It was a joy to be educated, inspired and enlightened by this scholarly work.

As the author states, ‘these stories represent a mere fraction of the thousands of accomplished women who have been inadequately acknowledged in world history and relegated to obscurity and anonymity despite their achievements. Illuminating these exemplary women not only expands the historical record, but also provides young girls with role models to inspire their pursuit of goals and aspirations.’

Despite the gains made by women in recent years, many women on the global stage still find that their access to education, employment, healthcare and political influence remains limited - or even nonexistent - because of their gender. This book will encourage and inspire all those who read it. Highly recommended.

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