K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 27

Book review: Camille Faye – Flight (@camillefaye)

Sophie was torn. She wanted to love Jacques, to commit to him fully, but every time she [image error]felt ready to, her mind and heart, returned to Taj. He had abandoned her, leaving without a word and shattering her to the brink of her own destruction as a Mind Changer. It had taken some time to recover, and yet she knew she could never truly let go until she saw him one last time. But things in Malaysia were not what she had imagined. Uncovering the secrets Taj had hidden she finds herself once more drawn into the comfort of his presence and reconnecting with that part of her she thought had been lost. But as things with Taj appear to be falling into place, back at home her life is being destroyed. Someone is targeting Seraphina’s House of Voodoo, determined to destroy it and the future Voodoo Queen in one foul blow. The actions and her loa speak of a traitor, but can Sophie discover who is behind this attack before her life and future is ripped away before her gaze?

Flight is the third book Camille Faye’s gripping Voodoo Butterfly series. Having been lucky enough to read all three of these books so far, I have to admit I am hooked on this series. These books are written with such style it is impossible not to connect to the characters. Diverse and vivid they drive the plot onward as their lives clash, unfold, and interact in ways you could never imagine. I loved the merging of different cultures and how the author highlights similarities between different cultures and beliefs, no matter how much you know about other religions and cultures you are certain to learn something here, and in a fun way too. The emotions Sophie experiences when first getting to Malaysia were so familiar to those I myself felt when I moved to India, from her searching for familiarity, to the shock of a complete change in culture, it was all described perfectly, along with the emotions they brought to life. This was impossible to put down, I just had to know what was going to happen, whether Sophie would choose Taj, Jacques, or to be alone, and whether she could find the traitor and save her families legacy. There are important messages engrained in this book that will stir the heart of the reader along this intense journey. Love, uncertainty, danger, treachery, secrets, and doubt are just some of the things Flight has to offer as you are taken along on Sophie’s unique and thrilling journey of self-discovery and growth.

[image error]

Book link:

 

Book review: John Irvin – Blood of the Father

On the day Tiras buried his wife everything changed. He mourned her passing unaware [image error]his own transition was to follow. The Almighty had a plan, He would do something new.  Attacked by a vicious wolf, Tiras thought his life was at an end, but as the pain and torment increased, the Almighty came to him, telling him he would sire a new race, one to protect man from the darkness to come. Adapting to his new life as wolf-born, and his new abilities, Tiras sets out to travel the world, and learn what he can. He keeps to himself, knowing man has now lost its extended years. His path and travels are guided by God, to sire this new race he must first find his true mate, the woman with whom he could begin God’s work.

Blood of the Father is a dark fantasy creation story by John Irvin.  This short story gives a new spin on the age old werewolf and vampire creation mythos, and presents it in the form of Tiras’ thirty year journey. This Christian fiction puts God at the centre and as such there is a Christian influence to the tale. The steady pace allows the reader to watch events unfold as Tiras’ begins to learn more about his gift and mission. Exploration, discovery, and faith drive the plot, which makes a good foundation for future tales as we come to learn if the battle of good versus evil to follow. This is a short but easy flowing read, which creates new origins to the ancient races.

[image error]

Book link:

Book review: Ronnda Eileen Henry – Love, Royal and True (@kbenart1)

Love is never easy. It comes with its ups and downs, challenges and hardships. But when [image error]said love stems from a royal romance the challenges seem overpowering. Adelard should never have been king. There were countless lines in place, all of whom would rule before him, so no one batted an eye when he was betrothed as a child to as the daughter of a minor earl. Yet fate and happenstance intervened, and all too soon Adelard found himself next in line to the throne. Adelard was forbidden to marry the woman he had grown to love. But the story of Adelard and Hyacinth is not all it appears at first glance. Upon his death, Hyacinth dictates the truth of the events shielded from the public eye, revealing for the first time the secrets within they royal and noble houses her husband did not want to remain hidden.

Love, Royal, and True is a romance novella by Ronnda Eileen Henry. It follows the blossoming young romance of Hyacinth and Adelard as they attempt to overcome the obstacles thrust into their path by life and ill-wisher alike. It is written at a steady third-person pace, starting at the end of the story with Adelard’s death, and a request she let the truth of their hidden life be known. Through the course of the story, Hyacinth dictates her tale, and you are told of their hardships and blossoming love, and the devastation life places in their path. Theirs was a bittersweet romance with hardship, challenges, opposition, and adversary. Those opposed to their wedding plotted, and even committed and accused acts of treason to ensure the two could never be together. Deception, schemes, and heartbreak advance the tale as you come to wonder the truth of their love, the true story of the children born out of wedlock, and the secret life they led. All answers are given but, personally, I didn’t feel as invested in their romance and characters as I would have had this been written as their adventure as it occurred, I feel if I had watched them fall in love and lead their lives it would have given more opportunity for development than the reflections on past events allowed. All in all, it was a good read, with some sweet and heart-breaking moments.

[image error]

 

Book link:

 

Book review: Camille Faye – Emergence (@camillefaye)

Things had finally started to fall into place for Sophie. She truly thought she had found [image error]her calling. Having completed several successful mind changes, adapted to life in the voodoo shop, and accepted the love and friendship of those around her, she had never found herself more at home. But as quickly as this contentment came it was stripped away. Dark happenings stir in New Orleans, and with Taj’s sudden departure and the subsequent loss of her magic, an ancient evil threatens to take everything Sophie loves away. Sophie must find her magic, and to do so she must rely on the one person she vowed never to trust, the person who had already killed her once. Can Sophie reconnect with her power without her love for Taj as its source, and will she be able to save everything and everyone she loves before it is too late?

Emergence by Camille Faye is the second book in the Voodoo Butterfly series. Having read the first book I couldn’t wait to see how Sophie’s life unfolded, and I was certainly not disappointed by this book. Whilst the second book in the series, a reader will have no problem picking up from book two as the gaps and past are expertly filled in, whilst allowing those who read the first book extra knowledge and snippets of information otherwise unavailable. I really enjoyed reading Sophie’s plight. Mystery, suspense, and danger accompany Sophie on her journey to not only discover more about her heritage but to unlock the secrets within herself. Being character-driven I loved watching the relationships between the characters we already met in book one, and new ones, emerge, grow, change, and develop. I have high praises for this book, the intermingling of voodoo and Catholicism was well presented and whilst an entertaining story, I also feel took away information I had not previously known. This book had me hooked from the first page to the last and I look forward to reading more of Camille Faye’s gripping work.

[image error]

Book link:

 

 

Book review: Camille Faye – Voodoo Butterfly (@camillefaye)

When Sophie received a letter addressed to her late mother it changed her life. But she [image error]had no idea of the extent of this change. She had often thought of owning her own business, although a house of voodoo hadn’t exactly been what she had in mind. Her grandmother, Seraphina, had been a Mind Changer, possessing the power to turn a person from a path of darkness, and that gift had been inherited by Sophie, or so Poppy, her grandmother’s apprentice, had told her. The problem was, voodoo needed belief to work, and that was something she was seriously lacking. A note had drawn her here, but as she remains she starts receiving a different kind of letter, one attempting to drive her from her newfound home. Warnings and death threats fill her with fear. It seems someone wants to ensure Seraphina’s legacy remains unclaimed, and as Sophie is the sole remaining bloodline of this clan she finds herself and those she cares for in the deadly sights.

Voodoo Butterfly is the first book in Camille Faye’s The Voodoo Butterfly series. I have to say, I really enjoyed reading this, I loved Sophie’s characters and how those she surrounds herself with all bring something she needs to her life. Unsure, lost, and without faith she is slowly transformed inside and out into the person she should have always been, an act only possible due to the support and influences of all those around her. While it is a story of self-discovery it is also one of hope, of how actions, and sometimes magic and faith can change the course of another person’s life. Filled with strong and vivid characters who you can’t help but like you will feel yourself being drawn into their lives as if you are part of it, a feeling which is further enhanced by a well-written first person narrative. This emotional rollercoaster will have you smiling, cursing, and even on the verge of tears as you immerse yourself into Sophie’s life, a life which has been filled and influenced by so much darkness she finds embracing the light and trusting difficult. I enjoyed this book so much I have already picked up number two in the series. If you enjoy a character driven, emotional read with magic, dark influences and hope, then look no further.

[image error]

Book link

 

Book review: AJA James – Dark Pleasures (@megami771)

Devlin Sinclair has a mission, to uncover more about the elusive figure Medusa. Their [image error]recently alliances have struck a blow, but did not really further what they knew about this dangerous figure. In hope to uncover their secrets he inserts himself into the life of hacker, Grace Darling, and gaining her trust arranges to meet. But neither of them could have expected what their crossing of paths would bring. Grace had agreed to meet him for one reason, every six months she is overcome by such lust she seeks out male companionship for a fortnight in order to regain her balance. Neither knew what they were getting into, both unlock parts of the other they didn’t know existed, and together they uncover more than just each other as Grace recalls more about the horrific death of her parents, and how it may possibly link to the figure Devlin himself is hunting.

Dark Pleasures is the 4th book in AJA James’ The Pure/Dark Ones collection. This paranormal erotica focuses on two central characters, Devlin Sinclair and Grace Darling as they discover themselves, while unlocking secrets not only to the past, but investigating the looming threat of Medusa which awaits in the future. The two characters explore every inch of one another, both fearing the powerful emotions being together causes. Devlin knows not to trust love, and Grace has always distanced and isolated herself. Her behaviour and inner thoughts reflect how many of my adult autistic friends feel, and it is portrayed in, perhaps, one of the best ways I have seen, sensitive and yet capturing the essence of how some people on the spectrum can think, process, and even excel. Grace is all about logic, and has great difficulty expressing herself, and I really appreciated the fact that she remains the same throughout the book, constant and true to her character. Knowing so any people with autism, and having a child with it myself, there is little I find more infuriating than when a character who reflects as on the spectrum is perfectly fine by the end of the book, not doing this heightened my appreciation for the work. I thought AJA James not only wrote her as a strong character, but remained true to her from beginning to end. I loved uncovering the secrets of Devlin’s past, unlocked through dreams, as we discover how he came to be turned, and the reasons he is so alarmed regarding the feelings he has towards Grace, as well as the reason he remains more personally reserved, even with those he thinks he can trust. There is no denying that this book fits nicely in the erotica genre, with heated sex scenes written masterfully without any cringe worthy or crude feeling portrayals, it is handled with great descriptions and steamy passion. Passion, dangers, and obsession will drive the reader through this raunchy paranormal fiction, while investigations, danger, and secrets begin to slowly reveal more about other characters, and the threat they are working together to prevent.

[image error]

book link:

 

Book review: C.A. King – Red Dot Capers

Jack Russell had protected his secret desperately for ten years. If he wanted to have [image error]rights, to work as a lawyer, to live in a nice property, it was a necessity. For ten years he had cut ties with his beast and separated himself from others of his kind, but a single incident in the office had exposed him. Red dots from a laser pen were known to cause problems with shifters, and when one danced inside the office Jack lost it, and almost his job in the process. He had one chance at saving everything, anger management, but little did he know there was more going on at his law firm than met the eye, and a person within the group knows more than they let on.

Red Dot Capers by C.A. King is paranormal fantasy romance that will leave you chuckling. Jack has a rather unique shifted form, one which appeals to the withdrawn cat lady, Kitty Kat, who also ends up in anger management. The two characters quickly bond, and each rapidly assist the others growth in overcoming fears and concerns. Written in the smooth flowing style I have come to expect from this author, this novella was a fun read with playful humour and a serious undertone. This funny and charming tale with lurking danger and hidden agendas will keep you engaged from first page to last.

Book link:

 

Book review: Mandi Konesni – The Kira Malone Chronicles (@mandikauthor)

Kira had been warned not to walk at such a late hour, not when the campus bus could [image error]deliver her safely. If she had only listened to them, she never would have been kidnapped. Her abduction unlocked something in her she didn’t know she had possessed, a fighting sprit and a will to survive. Held captive by a creature of nightmares she is drawn into a world she never knew existed, a reality Man is content to ignore, a hidden world of monsters. She had been a victim once, and vowed never again to allow these creatures to remain unchecked. She had been warned not to walk alone, but if she had listened then who would now rise to stand between Man and monster? One thing is certain, the one who took her has unleashed upon his kin a terrible adversary, and she won’t rest until they answer for their crimes.

The Kira Malone Chronicles Volume 1, Slaughter USA, is a paranormal fiction by Mandi Konesni. Broken down into three parts we are first introduced to Kira as she fights for her life against a foe she has no understanding of. Reading this reminded me of the TV series Supernatural, and this book could very well be Kira’s story on how she discovered monsters were real and became a hunter in that world. But it is not Sam and Dean’s world, and creative solutions are needed to gain access to morgues and places of investigations, after all, the guise of a journalist will open but a few doors in the search for truth. I enjoyed watching the tale unfold and the way Kira’s life was shaped by her experience and the allies she found. Engaging, interesting, and tense, you will find yourself trying to identify the monster along with Kira and Andy, and hoping they uncover the truth before another life is lost. Lovers of monsters, and the supernatural will find many hours of enjoyment in this perfectly paced tale.

[image error]

Book link:

 

 

Book review: Christopher Coates – The Ark (@ccoatesbook)

When a threat with extinction-level potential was accidentally discovered it took a few [image error]weeks to confirm the findings, but soon the government was on high alert, pumping resources into excelling the most promising projects, those which could keep people safe until the danger had passed. One such undertaking was a sleeper project, designed to put people into long-term sleep. What was initially intended as a project for space travel quickly became one of the nation’s only hope for survival. The clock is ticking, changes must be made, safeguards installed, and most importantly, everything must remain top-secret. If word were to get out global panic would ensue. Can the project be finished in time, and if so will the world they wake to be the one they expect?

The Ark by Christopher Coates is an engaging dystopian fiction which piqued my interest from the prologue. I thought the way America handled the information was realistic. They set out to secure their own future, withholding information to prevent mass global panic, and I also have a sneaking suspicion that other countries may have been doing the same, after all, we just see the USA perspective and witnessed for ourselves the measures they took to ensure news would not be leaked, it is not difficult to image other counties did the same. The characters really drive this plot forward, and whilst there is a large cast it is easy to become invested in their mission. I can’t say what exactly about this story hooked me, whether it was the need to know how the future unfolded, my investment in the lives of the characters, or the smooth third person writing style which kept me engaged, but one thing is for certain, I didn’t want to put it down. The science is kept minimal and easy to understand whilst complex devices are developed and tested. Danger, comradery, and realism fill every page of this dystopian tale. I can’t help but wonder if there will be a follow on book which, like the Fall Out games, will explore the world, the changes, and its rebuilding effort. If there is, you can bet it will be on my reading list.

Book link:

 

 

Book review: David Litwack – The Time That’s Given (@DavidLitwack)

Albert was lonely. His son had grown and moved away, his daughter was busy with her [image error]first child on the way, and the love of his life had travelled abroad to complete her dream of obtaining a degree. Alone in his home he retreats to his imaginings fuelled by the many fantasy novels he had read, and the increasing despair growing in the world. As time passes, like so many, he comes to think of despair as a sentient being, one he could vanquish given the right circumstances. Little did he know, he was about to get his wish. When he lit a candle sold to him by an old curiosity store he is transported to another world, one where a guide vows to fulfil his need for adventure.  Equipped in his bathrobe and slippers he sets off, but the adventure awaiting him is nothing like that he expected. Seeking the source of despair he finds his life becomes intertwined with that of a young family, but when one of them is whisked away Albert vows to rescue him, and his quest alters and evolves with every step, but so too does his perception, that which is dream becomes more real than his former reality. When the tie comes to make a choice, which world, which family, will he choose?

The Time that’s Given is a fantasy novel by David Litwack. Written in an engaging first person perspective it allows you deep insight into Albert’s thoughts, concerns, and realisations. The slow yet steady pace introduces enough momentum to create an interest in the characters, and Albert’s daydreaming and overlapping realities allow insight into his past and the life he experienced as a younger man. There are many messages clearly evident in the book. Such as the difference in outlooks, where some people see only despair and hopelessness, there are those who see a glimmer of hope, and it is these who search for it who can make a difference. Small but powerful messages of self-discovery and self reflection invite the reader to think about their own lifestyles and outlooks. Unique ideas, magic, kinship, and enlightenment fill each page and will appeal to those who like a slower paced read with morals and messages clearly presented. Within this book are some amazing ideas, and I applaud the work’s potential to make the reader think about themselves and the world.

 

[image error]

Book Link: