The Name I'm Given: Decide Who You Will Be by Guy Wheatley

The Name I'm Given: Decide Who You Will Be by Guy Wheatley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A well written hi-tech sci-fi with perfect pacing...

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.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Zee was literally company property until the daring mission that brought her freedom and the legal status as a human being. But the company wasn't willing to relinquish a multi-million dollar asset without a fight and had an ace up its sleeve. Now Zee finds herself in another fight for her life. But the argument the company makes is so compelling that it even has Zee questioning her identity. Now she wonders if she is even human. Is she just a construct of the company, or is she really the person whose name she was given?’

The Name I'm Given: Decide Who You Will Be by Guy Wheatley is a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted hi-tech sci-fi that’s packed to the rafters with plenty of thought-provoking and intriguing themes. Skillfully constructed, this exciting and dynamic novel 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 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 well written hi-tech sci-fi with perfect pacing. Highly recommended sci-fi series.

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The Dance Towards Death by Tejas Desai

The Dance Towards Death by Tejas Desai
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Final instalment of this riveting international crime trilogy...

The Dance Towards Death by Tejas Desai is the final instalment in The Brotherhood Chronicle trilogy. The Dance Towards Death is a well written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this gripping crime thriller that had me engaged from the opening chapter. This book 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 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 first-class crime thriller with perfect pacing.

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


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Teaser: A Corey Logan Thriller by Burt Weissbourd

Teaser: A Corey Logan Thriller by Burt Weissbourd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Teaser: A Corey Logan Thriller by Burt Weissbourd is book 2 of 3 in The Corey Logan Trilogy. Teaser is a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this gripping mystery thriller that had me engaged from the start. Skillfully constructed and set against the backdrop of Seattle’s streets’, this book will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.

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.

There are scenes of a graphic nature with adult content including sex, drug use, abuse, paedophilia, abduction, and violence. Nevertheless, the themes and outcome are just as affecting in the arresting contemporary landscape. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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Surviving Hollywood: Givers, Takers, Friends & Heartbreakers

Surviving Hollywood: Givers, Takers, Friends & Heartbreakers by Robert Michael Lehmann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The real people behind the image...

Celebrities intrigue us for many reasons. One of the most popular obsessions in the media today is celebrities. While most celebrities are of the movie actor and actress variety, there are also sports figures, musicians, models and socialites who fall into the celebrities' category. There are many magazines, blogs, websites and television shows devoted to celebrities and their various antics. Some of them seek out fame; others complain about it and try to avoid the spotlight as much as possible. But there is no question that celebrities and their lives are incredibly popular topics.

Surviving Hollywood: Givers, Takers, Friends & Heartbreakers by Robert Michael Lehmann gives the reader ‘an all-access backstage pass for an up-close and personal look at life inside the entertainment industry.’ This humorous and insightful book offers a behind the scenes look at the golden age of the ’70s & '80s television and recording industry.

The book has some very interesting stories about Elvis Presley, ‘the original Star Trek television series, and a behind-the-scenes look at The Tonight Show with insight into the personal lives of celebrities after the cameras were turned off and the real people behind the image emerged.’

Thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating quick read. A blast from the past as they say. Highly recommended.

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Cycladic Girls: Celebrities, Deities, Love and Power - Greek Gods in the Modern World (The Winnowing Book 2)

Cycladic Girls: Celebrities, Deities, Love and Power - Greek Gods in the Modern World by Patrick Garner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A masterclass in storytelling...

Cycladic Girls by Patrick Garner is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this seductive tale that will guarantee the attention of the reader. A skillfully constructed ‘ancient meets contemporary’, this book will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.

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 tale of intrigue, discovery and sensuality with perfect pacing. Highly recommended.

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Scary Night All in Your Head: A Children's Rhyming Picture Book Bedtime Story

Scary Night All in Your Head: A Children's Rhyming Picture Book Bedtime Story by Paul Wilson Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Easing a child’s fears about the things that go bump in the night...

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.

Scary Night All in Your Head by Paul Elliott is a delightful and charming children's rhyming picture book that makes a perfect bedtime story. The author writes in a wonderfully entertaining 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 very enjoyable story to share with them. I read this book with my grandkids and they loved it. Special mention also to Sidra Mehmood for the excellent illustrations.

It seems to me that this book was created with a lot of love and joy and it’s clear that the author 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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Awakening Janet: The Erotic Adventures of a Silver Fox for Hire by JD Harrison

Awakening Janet: The Erotic Adventures of a Silver Fox for Hire by JD Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A steamy tale of erotic adventures...

Awakening Janet: The Erotic Adventures of a Silver Fox for Hire by JD Harrison is a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this devilishly delicious novel that will guarantee the attention of the reader. The erotica is accomplished in the delivery of exciting and titillating prose. From mild illusions through detailed, sexy scenes, the concept is wonderfully delivered in truly amazing writing. Highly recommended.

Awakening Janet is a contemporary erotic romance that has a terrific plot that will tug at your heart strings. The main characters are well drawn, three dimensional and layered with subtext. It seamlessly blends romance, steamy erotic interludes and character development with a good story line. Highly recommended.

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