K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 50

Book Review: The Earth Priestess by Jennifer Stone (@JenStone4485 )

The Earth Priestess by Jennifer stone is a beautiful crafted fantasy novella and book two [image error]in the Mortal Orphan series.

Taya, has united the lands, bringing man and gods together under one, purpose built, roof. People flock to behold the splendour, temples worshipping one of the deities send a representative to live and learn there. But not everyone views this unification as a good idea, there are those who would resort to dark and unimaginable acts to see this new hope extinguished.

Jennifer Stone writes a wonderful tale, rich with magic, smooth plot development and good character building. The story is immersive, thrusting you into the life of Taya to share her trials and tribulations and leaves you eager to know more about the vast and diverse world. An enjoyable, page turning read that leaves you wanting more.

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Book review: The Falcon Flies alone by Gabrielle Mathieu (@GabrielleAuthor )

Peppa had some explaining to do. She was found stark naked on the top of her new [image error]employer’s roof, the local policeman attending the rescue only had one question. Why the name in the passport didn’t match that he knew her by. The reason was simple. Following the death of her father Peppa had stood to inherit a fortune, but instead she was left at the mercy of her aunt, and she felt she had no choice but to flee and make her money in almost any way she could until she as old enough to claim her inheritance. The roof, however, was a different matter entirely fragmented memories played on her fears of madness as she saw herself flying above the world, wings stretched wide in the form of a magnificent falcon. The problem was she was now a suspect in a brutal murder. Alone and penniless Peppa seeks aid from unlikely sources, trying to prove her innocence while remaining one step ahead of the law, whilst trying to answer he own questions. Visions keep returning to haunt her, something strange is happening, and she is determined to discover what.

Brilliantly written in the first person narrative The Falcon Flies alone by Gabrielle Mathieu will whisk you away on a breath-taking journey. Peppa’s path crosses with many and like her own character, each member of the cast has a deep and realistic personality, complete with character building and history. I loved the integration of science and nature and the manner in which it is described and achieved is simply fantastic. If you’re looking for a character driven, suspense filled fantasy, then look no further. Jam packed with nail-biting action, dangerous twists, and unimaginable realisations, this is certainly a book which has a lot to offer. A very strong first book in what looks to be a promising series.

I read this on KU but I was so taken by the plot I purchased a copy for my collection.

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Book review: Josh Anvil and the Cypress Door by Bruce E Arrington

Josh just wanted to go fishing with his dad and quit school. One day, he ventures across [image error]the swamp intending to go to town, but something about his familiar resting place was different. For a moment he had feared himself lost, but all the markers indicated this was the place, and yet at the same time, it wasn’t. That day marked the beginning of change. Josh had always loved telling stories, it was not only a much loved family tradition, but a hobby for him as well. Something strange has happened to him, now, whenever he spins a tale it comes to life before his eyes, and this makes him very interesting indeed. With that kind of power at their disposal the fate of countries could be spun, but he has another gift as well, one of healing. Soon, those seeking to exploit him for their own gains emerge, and they will stop at nothing. What will become of a boy whose passion is in telling stories, when the tales he weaves are brought to life? Find out in Bruce E Arrington’s Josh Anvil and the Cypress Door (Volume 1)

I really enjoyed the descriptive nature of Bruce E Arrington‘s writing style. Having never been to Louisiana it was brilliant to get such a vivid impression. Reading Josh Anvil and the Cypress Door will whisk you away on a magical adventure of the likes ancient fables are spun, there is an old phrase, the gift of the gab, well Josh’s gift takes this expression to a whole new level.  I completely adored the cast of characters and the role appropriate  names really made me chuckle. Josh Anvil and the Cypress Door is packed with great dialogue, and I had such a lot of fun reading this. The comradery between friends, even rivals is believable. Whilst perhaps written for a young adult audience there’s a great crossover so mature adults would appreciate it too. I really enjoyed this, imaginative, gripping, suspenseful, and most importantly fun story. As the first book in the series I’m looking forward to reading the next. A brilliant book beginning to end, I’m eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

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Book review: River Bones by Mary Deal (@Mary_Deal )

It had always been Sara’s dream to own a Victorian mansion and, although Talbot House [image error]was in need of some renovations, her dream had finally come true. Strange noises in the night left her on edge, but when she and her friend Daphine found fresh marks in the concrete where someone had tried to pry open the window Sara had to finally accept there was more to the noises than just her imagination. At her friend’s suggestion they went to visit Mrs Talbot, to learn more about the legend of the ghost walking the halls, if only to discover if these rumours had any truth. Sara, however, was less concerned about a ghost and more worried about a serial killer. She is obsessed with thoughts about this murderer at large, worse still, new evidence seems to suggest they came from Delta, a fact made more unnerving by the feeling that someone has their eye on her. Events that could once be dismissed as an over active imagination begin to escalate until there is no longer any room for doubt, Sara is not safe. Join the mystery and see if you can discover the killer’s identity in Mary Deal’s, River Bones: Sara Mason Mysteries Book One.

Mary Deal seamlessly integrates Sara’s history and character building into the plot, by the time you each the end you know everything you could want to. Friendships are built and developed, whilst all the time a budding air of tension keeps the reader wondering what is happening, and dreading what is to come. There is a brilliant attention to detail, from describing the surroundings, to providing sensory images so you can almost feel the thick blanket of the fog, or the scent of the surroundings. This book really is a descriptive treasure and builds a fantastic image of Delta, its surroundings, and even the community. Fans of mystery will love how subtle clues are woven within the plot, and as with any good story the red herrings and twists will keep you guessing. River Bones is a great read, filled with intrigue, suspense, mystery and even romance, it is well written and easily one of the best mystery/suspense books I have read this year. Mary Deal clearly has a talent for this style of writing, and I look forward to seeing more books from her in the future.

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Book review: La Fortuna: The Wheel of Fortune by Vera Zegarac

La Fortuna: The Wheel of Fortune by Vera Zegarac is a romance, but it is so much more. [image error]Uma and Carla had been friends from a young  age, but their lives could not be more different. Uma’s parents were loving and supportive, even when her love life saw her move to France with her husband. Carla, however, fought desperately for just a sliver of approval; she gave up her dreams to stay with her mother. Only once she had gained strength from her therapist she had done something purely for  herself,  archaeology, yet her mother had made her disapproval abundantly clear. Carla was desperately lonely, fearing she will never find love as her friend had. But then she met Eric, and everything seemed perfect. Eric’s family wanted an heir, and yet fate seemed against them, their torment driving a wedge between them. Some time apart seemed just the thing, and with a dig opportunity in Turkey, Carla finds just the way to give them time apart to heal. But will absence make the heart grow fonder, or will out of sight become out of mind?

La Fortuna: The Wheel of Fortune by Vera Zegarac is a wonderful tale about life. I call it a romance because ultimately it is about finding love, but it is also about Carla finding herself as the book follows her story through a number of years and major life events. This is a great read, a story about Carla trying to break free from the oppression and mind-set forced upon her by her upbringing, and finding love and happiness. As with real life, it is messy and things don’t always go to plan. I found myself really empathising with Carla, hoping for things to turn in her favour. I loved the turning points  in her life, from marriage, to strife and finding someone other than her faraway friend Uma to confide in. This could very well be a true life story, and it is packed with emotions. Vera Zegarac has a clear skill for this genre and narrative. From beginning to end, this is an amazing story. I really enjoyed reading this.

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Book review: Flight of the Black Stork by Bill Broocke

When first they spotted the crescent shaped craft they had thought it was some new [image error]aircraft made by the Germans. They had never imagined what these Foo Fighters actually were, nor what their sudden and unexplained appearance actually meant for the people of Earth. Over fifty years this same alien species performed reconnaissance, experiments, abductions, and discovered that mankind was exactly what they had been searching for, and they had been searching for five centuries. Their god had promised them a new home, but Earth’s residents had complicated matters, after learning of Mankind’s destructive capabilities there seemed only one viable path, to destroy the threat, or at least those that couldn’t be of use. Bill Broocke’s Flight of the Black Stork will take you on a thrilling and suspenseful journey in an alternative history version of some of our worlds most well-known events

Brilliantly written Flight of the Black Stork will hold you captivated from the opening sentence to the final word. Beautiful descriptions add a wonderful flourish to events and easily conjure surroundings and atmosphere into the reader’s mind. Something about Bill Broocke’s style is mesmerising, even the simplest of activities have life and realism breathed into them. There’s a lot of genuine history within, along with the author’s own spin to open up the world to the events that unfold. With a great cast of characters, all unique with their own baggage, flaws, and passions, not to mention well-developed with a rich history and personal story, you’ll find it easy to fully emerge yourself in this world, and there are some parts that will even feed the imagination of conspiracy theorists. Government secrets, red herrings, schemes, and plans all come together in a mix of unexpected and enjoyable plots and sub-plots in an excellent example of alternate history fiction.

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Book review: Beyond the Chaos Gate by Quentin Ravensbane

Special Agent William Garret, FBI, had been assigned to Holden for an unusual case. A three-person family murder which, given the strange symbols found at the scene, [image error]appeared to be the work of cultists. But the symbols were the least concerning aspect of the case. The bodies had been exposed to an unknown fungus, a devastating flesh-eating species which ensured the bodies had to be destroyed before it could spread. But things were far from over, three days later came another one, more grizzly and mysterious than the last, and the modus operandi, aka the killer’s M.O, showed a bizarre escalation. With no apparent link between victims it looked to be a tough case to crack, but perhaps some things are better left unsolved. Join Garret on a journey into darkness, madness, and the unknown in Quentin Ravensbane’s Beyond The Chaos Gate.

Reading Beyond The Chaos Gate reminded me a lot of a scenario I would expect to come across in the Call of Cthulhu table top role-playing game. In a manner that seems to be quite typical for Lovecraftian style fiction, it starts with an FBI agent drawn into the cosmic horror of the unknown, and attempting to understand and make sense of all that occurs. There is some good descriptive writing and scenes which in part will remind you of certain tales from Lovecraft’s collections. It was an enjoyable read with a mixture of horror and building friendships throughout. The incorporation of Lovecraft’s mythos and some adaption was nicely integrated into the plot as Quentin Ravensbane takes some foundations and makes them his own to spin a steady paced and interesting tale.

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Beyond The Chaos Gate

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Book review: The Tannis Project by Daryl J. Ball (@DarylBallTM )

Tannis, is a vampire, he has seen and experienced more than most mortals could dare to [image error]dream, and now, at the bequest of his mortal friend, Kayla, he has begun to keep a blog. A blog to explore his thoughts, feelings, even his memories as he continues his relationship with this fascinating mortal, who is also a parent to a teenage boy. Discover what it means to be a vampire, dispel the myths as you learn through Tannis’ blog of his life, family, and conflicts.

Daryl J. Ball writes a vampire novel of the likes I have never read.  Presented as a series of posts on a blog, including guest posts from people in his life. Written in an audience suitable style it is easy to believe you’re reading a blog post. Imaginative, entertaining, and fun, especially for lovers of the genre.

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Book review: The Gift Stone by Bianca Rowena

Bianca Towns brings you a story which could be straight from Star Wars in The Gift Stone. The Gift Stone is the first book in Bianca Rowena’s The Gifted series. Rita was [image error]raised by the temple as a temple girl, but following an encounter with Takano Rynn, leader of the dark army she fed to the obscurity of Central City, where she could be lost to the crowds. Takano had been on a rampage, murdering anyone within the temples, and any who would dare oppose him, all in search of the Gift Stone. It was rumoured it could bring his evil reign to an end, he knew he had to find it before someone else can use it against him. When his path crosses with Rita’s he sees something familiar in her, something he can use to make himself stronger. Fleeing to Central City Rita makes new friends and allies, but the threat is far from over. Both Takano and Dukath are now aware of her, and will stop at nothing to seize her. Women are rarely born with the Gift, and Rita herself does not believe she possesses it. But there are things occurring that even she cannot ignore.

Bianca Rowena has written an entertaining and fantastic fantasy/ science fiction book. I really liked Rita’s character. For such a young woman she carries a lot of weight on her shoulders. From loneliness and knowing she is different, to being fearful of her actions and weaknesses. The Gift Stone will make an excellent addition to any fantasy lovers library. It starts with promise and builds up momentum the deeper you journey through the tale. From surprising allies and hidden secrets, to unlikely friends, betrayal, and danger. Rita makes some difficult decision which shape her character and growth, but also drive the readers attachment to the characters deeper. The Gift Stone has twists and surprises, and an element that will satisfy even the pickiest science fiction and fantasy fans.

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Book review: The Wisdom and Valor Treasury by Aleksandra Laylan (@kbenart1 )

The Wisdom and Valor Treasury is brought to you by Aleksandra Laylan and includes Of [image error]Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace, which is part two of the Windflower Saga Trilogy, and three novellas, Bind Not the Heart, Leofric of Longridge, and Keridwen Rose, part of the Sword of Ansgar. There are a plethora of books in this saga, and placing them in a treasury was an excellent idea. A reader can easily navigate related stories, following families and timelines from the past, through generations, without being concerned about reading out of order. The addition of these novella really serves to enhance the story and world brought to you in the Windflower Trilogy.

I have read a number of books by Aleksandra Laylan, and what a ride they have been. Whilst I’ll admit I’ve not read them in order having foreknowledge of what is to come also has its advantages. This is definitely a series of discovery, not only for the characters but for the readers. I have no doubt I could read these two or three times and still pick up on subtleties and intricate details that I missed during my first read. This is a collection you will come back to time and time again. It is deep, detailed, and expressive, with plots that holds your focus with ease. The attention to detail and world building show signs of hours lost to developing a rich and complex world, and I get the impression as readers we see just the tip of the iceberg. Aleksandra Laylan has a real talent, and it is for precisely this reason I find myself continuing to read her work. If you’re looking for an involved read with twists, surprises, conflict, drama and suspense then look no further.

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