Saturday, July 18, 2020

Kin or Country


Kin Or CountryKin Or Country by Paul Alster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book will have you on the edge of your seat!

Kin or Country by Paul Alster is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted thriller with intriguing twists and turns that will captivate the reader from the first page to the last. Skillfully constructed and set against the backdrop of an alternate socio-political-religious scenario, this book will have you on the edge of your seat!

This suspense thriller takes the religious and cultural complexities of modern-day Israel to develop a plot filled with mystery and intrigue. The novel delivers all the excitement of a great thriller while also delving into provocative themes. It’s a masterful tale centered around secular and ultra-religious Israeli Jews in the year 2048.

Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.


View all my reviews

Friday, July 17, 2020

An Eye For Murder


An Eye For MurderAn Eye For Murder by Martin Sherwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A medical mystery thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat...

An Eye For Murder by Martin Sherwood is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted medical mystery thriller with a generous sprinkling of suspense throughout. Intriguing twists and turns ensures that this book will captivate the reader from the first page to the last. The story unfurls in small acts, at first feeling slight to touch, then building in emotional substance. Into the spaces between the words, the author breathes a pulsating intensity that rolls like a motion picture camera.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘A brilliant egocentric scientist is close to a breakthrough that will make cataract surgery unnecessary. Professor Lucy Efron administers drops synthesized in her lab, which are secretly tested on elderly people, later found in the cemetery, their eyes mysteriously removed. As Efron approaches the final clinical trial with her 12th test tube, she reveals that two presidents of major pharmaceutical companies are battling over her formula and nothing – absolutely NOTHING, will stop them from getting this precious 12th tube. The deadly clinical trial could have gone unnoticed, were it not for Milbert, a naïve medical student, whose grandmother suffers from Alzheimer. She alerts him about the disappearing tenants in her nursing home and says that she might be the next on the murderous list. As Milbert begins his own investigation and gets closer to unveiling the plot, he understands that he has only one shot at stopping the murder of more innocent people, but it could cost him his own life.’

The story had every element a good story should have. A solid plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book. 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 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 mystery, thriller and suspense with perfect pacing.

This is my second time reading this author. His first book MARKED TO DIE was also an excellent read. Highly recommended reading again, and a well-deserved five stars from me. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

View all my reviews

H-17 The Morningstar Abduction


H-17 The Morningstar AbductionH-17 The Morningstar Abduction by Jake Vickers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A unique and adventurous dystopian sci-fi tale...

Jake Vickers dystopian novel H-17 The Morningstar Abduction tells the story of Gabby Morningstar, a child genius who has been sold to the enigmatic H-17. Nikki, her older sister, is a runaway who has been living on the streets for a year. ‘Gabby is at school when she receives the news of her father’s murder. She’s then abducted by the detective assigned to the case and sold to an unidentified group of people lurking off of an unmarked highway exit. Gabby’s feral runaway sister Nikki will stop at nothing to find and rescue her.’

This was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly mesmerizing journey.

It’s long read that contains dark humour and some explicit violence with raw language. At its core is the bond between siblings. Highly recommended reading and a well-deserved five stars.

View all my reviews

The Hands Resist Him: Be Careful What You Bid For


The Hands Resist Him: Be Careful What You Bid ForThe Hands Resist Him: Be Careful What You Bid For by Darren Kyle O'Neill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A creepy page-turner...

The Hands Resist Him: Be Careful What You Bid For by Darren Kyle O'Neill held my interest and I enjoyed the story for the most part. The book title is a bit misleading in that the only "true events" is a painting created by artist Bill Stoneham in 1972. This fictional chiller is based on that event. ‘The painting became the subject of an urban legend and a viral internet meme in February 2000 when it was posted for sale on eBay along with a description implying that it was haunted.’

I enjoyed the story, character development and dialogue. There were plenty of chilling twists and turns 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 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 horror story with perfect pacing.

View all my reviews

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

The Dancing Chameleons: Literacy on the Move: Book 1


The Dancing Chameleons: Literacy on the Move: Book 1The Dancing Chameleons: Literacy on the Move: Book 1 by Arlene N Cohen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fun and educational read for young children...

The Dancing Chameleons: Literacy on the Move (Book 1) is a fun and educational book for the younger reader (ages 2-6). Author Arlene Cohen writes in a wonderful, simple and imaginative style that will guarantee the attention of young minds. This charming book is a fun way for children to learn colors in English and Spanish while also introducing them to easy verbs, nouns, and adjectives. If you ever wanted to bond even more with your children or grandchildren, this would be a lovely entertaining read to share with them. Special mention also to the illustrator Holly Carton for the excellent artwork. Highly recommended.

View all my reviews

Hidden Unknown Truth: A Guide to Consciousness, Spiritual Awakening, and the Joy of Living


Hidden Unknown Truth: A Guide to Consciousness, Spiritual Awakening, and the Joy of LivingHidden Unknown Truth: A Guide to Consciousness, Spiritual Awakening, and the Joy of Living by Edward Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A spiritual guide that awakens your true inner voice...

Not all self-help books are created equally. Some provide step-by-step instructions on how to improve a given area of your life. Others provide moral support, motivation, and sprinkle a little inspiration upon the words putting the individual in a positive mood which may be just enough to help. Unknown Truth: A Guide to Consciousness, Spiritual Awakening, and the Joy of Living by Edward Scott ‘offers personal anecdotes and practical exercises intended to show you how to live in conscious contact with your inner higher power.’ It’s a ‘complete spiritual guide designed to lead to awareness of your thoughts and actions that blocks you from being awake to your true inner voice.’

No matter what your situation is today, this book will put you on the right path to better things. I’ve been around the block a few times and even I found this read to be very insightful. This wonderful new book will show you how to properly tune into life and the simple rules you must follow to achieve this. This by far is one of the best Self-Improvement books I’ve read in a long time. The author must be commended for his time and effort for producing such an insightful book. Also, the writing style is friendly which makes for an enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

View all my reviews

Monday, July 13, 2020

Stranded Coil by Stephanie Hansen


Stranded CoilStranded Coil by Stephanie Hansen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderfully written and richly descriptive novella...

Stranded Coil by Stephanie Hansen is book 2 in the Altered Helix Series. I thought the book was wonderfully written and richly descriptive, with brilliantly drawn settings and characters. The author weaved a well-crafted other world fantasy that will captivate the reader from the start. 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.

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 another book, and 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 fantasy 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.

Highly recommended reading for teen and young adult readers.

View all my reviews