K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 55

October 5, 2017

Book review: Dying Thoughts – Second Sight by Joey Paul (@msjoeybug)

Tara is struggling to come to terms with her new gift, okay, well it’s not a new gift, she’s [image error]had it since she was six. The only thing is, she didn’t know exactly what is was, other than perhaps a crack in her sanity. Her father, who could have made everything much easier by talking to her about it, said nothing. He thought he was shielding her from pain. He hoped the visions his wife, Tara’s mother, suffered from had not been passed on. He clung to this hope even when she suffered from the same symptoms. He had lied to her about how her mother died, a truth that could have spared her so much confusion, and now it seems impossible to trust him. Fortunately she has Kaolin, the friend whose kinship came at the price of exposing her father’s lies, not to mention kidnap and murder. She had her concerns when the teacher once more added a new student to her group, she was worried something of Cassie’s would cause a similar drama and terror she had experienced with Kaolin. Cassie would indeed bring something to her, it just wasn’t what she had expected, although visions are certainly inevitable, their not like Tara has ever experienced.


A wonderful addition to what is quickly becoming a gripping series. I read book one on Tuesday night and picked this one up for my last night’s read. I am really enjoying watching Tara and Kaolin’s evolving friendship. I’m never normally one for first person narrative but this is certainly wonderfully written. I said it before, but it possesses a brilliant inner monologue, and once again the author whisks you away on an adventure where you are trying to put together the pieces, only it’s more complicated this time, for reasons I won’t reveal. I’ve picked up book three and can’t wait to dive in to see what new troubles find Tara.


Book link:


Dying thoughts – Second sight


 



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Published on October 05, 2017 02:50

October 4, 2017

Book review: Dying Thoughts – First Touch by Joey Paul (@MsJoeyBug)

Tara Leverton didn’t ask for this unusual gift but it started just after her mother died. [image error]Tara had been six when cancer had claimed her mother, or at least that was what she had been led to believe. The visions, however, told a different story. She was fifteen now and had learnt these episodes were brought on by contact with second-hand objects, and she often awoke from the seizure they induced to hear the reassurance that an ambulance was on its way. But there was  nothing reassuring about an ambulance, being on a gurney people had died on, or in a  bed in a ward where people had met often violent or tragic ends. For six months she had managed to keep it under control, adjust her life to avoid triggers,  and then Kaolin came into her life. It was a simple mistake, but one that was a catalyst for all that would follow.


This was a gripping read. It is written in a first person narrative style perfectly suited to the internal monologue of a fifteen year old. It possesses a steady pace and is packed with intrigue. From the moment I started reading  I knew I’d be having a late night, I’d planned to read just a few chapters, but I simply couldn’t stop . I certainly look forward to reading more of Tara’s adventures in the future.


Book link:


Dying Thoughts – First Touch


 



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Published on October 04, 2017 02:13

October 3, 2017

Book review: Dwelling in Heaven and Earth by E.A. Comiskey (@eacomiskey )

For as long as Shifrah can remember conformity has been taught, encouraged. People [image error]look same, dress the same, hang the same artwork. They are educated in the way of peace from birth to death, but when faced with differences outside their scope of comfort practising what is preached is another matter altogether. Shifrah was born slightly different, darker than most with a skill she worked to keep hidden. Her gran joked she was a genetic kickback, but standing out is never a blessing. She thought she was the only one until she caught a glimpse of Donovan. She had read about this figure, the son of the ancient prophetess, and a blood drinker. He had come to relay a message, a warning to all that their time of peace and of ignorance coming from to an end. But they had known peace for so long, and felt shelter and comfort within their fortress that they were certain no harm could befall them. Shifrah saw the danger in their arrogance, and Donovan awakened something within her, a repressed desire to embrace not only her individuality, but his as well. Desires she thought she would never know stir, leading her to a path of darkness she must navigate if she hopes to remain the person she wishes to be, the person who wants to protect those she loves.



I read and enjoyed the first book in the series, this one however, I loved. The plot, the characters, everything, seemed far more engaging, a true testament to the author’s growth and development. Don’t get me wrong, the first book in a great read, but this one was more my style of book. I enjoyed the inner conflicts of Shifrah, watching her struggle to both conceal and embrace who she is. The relationships she forges influence the person she is and who she will become. It was a deep and engaging read driven by characters, emotions, and conflict. As I said above, I have read the first book in the series, but it would also work well as a stand alone, any important missing information is skilfully filled in throughout the plot to achieve a self-contained story. I really enjoyed reading this, and look forward to seeing more work from E.A. Comiskey


Book link:


Dwelling in Heaven and Earth






 


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Published on October 03, 2017 03:01

Book review: Stuck with Me by Cassandra Piat (@cassandra_piat )

When Molly won a trip to Mauritius she was over the moon. She was a happy person [image error]most of the time, or so it appeared, but this news had her dancing around in delight. Little did she know it was all an elaborate scheme, and she was the butt of this cruel joke. A newspaper had heard about her infallible happiness, and wanted to test a theory. They arranged the trip, and ensures their reporter, Adam, would be with her ever step of the way. It was his job to make this holiday, this source of happiness, a living nightmare, and test the boundaries of her sunny disposition. But Adam has more at stake in this façade than a story, if he pulls this off, he has the chance of his dream career, but can he bring himself to ruin the happiness of a woman he is quickly becoming drawn to in the name of a story?


This is a well written book, with an enjoyable plot. Whilst a rom-com the author successfully handles issues of mistrust, anxiety and pressure without making light of them. The main reason I gave this four stars instead of five was simply because the main character, Molly, annoyed me. Whilst she is twenty-five, I found a lot of her behaviour too close to that of a teenage schoolgirl, perhaps this was intention given that she’d not been in a relationship since she was seventeen and was a means to show her emotional immaturity in such situations. I’ve known my fair share of bubbly people in my time, but never quite anyone like her. Don’t get me wrong, it is an enjoyable read, despite my dislike for her character I was still turning the page wanting to know how the plot progressed and what happened next. For an author to achieve that shows no small skill in writing. Not quite my cup of tea, but an good read none-the-less.


Book link:


Stuck with Me



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Published on October 03, 2017 02:26

October 2, 2017

KLS-9 by Leigh Grissom (@iamthecritic)

KLS-9, or Kerry, has been living on the run. Undocumented, unwanted. For  [image error]three years she has lived in Horizon, paid her rent, and fought with killer migraines. She’s not sure exactly what happened, how she came to be here. There are patches of darkness in her past, and they continue to expand into her present. Then it happens. She remembers a fight with her landlord, when his body is discovered she knows she can’t afford to stay in one place too long. She has to keep moving, or be discovered. She escaped from the Institute once, she doesn’t want to find out if she could do it again. The thing is, her problems move with her, the little voice follows her wherever she goes, and the more she comes to understand it, the more she fears what it can do.I


Ireally enjoyed reading KLS-9, when I first started reading it I thought it would pan out to be something a little bit X-men in style, I was wrong. Politics, weapons,  and manipulation make up just a fraction of the tale. It was an easy read, enjoyable, with action and mystery as Kerry tries to discover who and what she is, while trying to evade the Tracker who seeks to capture her.


Book link:


KLS-9



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Published on October 02, 2017 05:37

September 29, 2017

Book review: Amie: African Adventure by Lucinda E Clarke (@LucindaEClarke )

Amie’s plan for the future had been simple. She married Jonathon, they would buy a nice [image error]house, big enough for a small family. Their children would go to the same school they had, and things would move along in comfortable bliss. Old friends and familiar settings. Sure there had been considerations of a short move up the country, but when Jonathon took her to dinner to discuss a career opportunity in Africa she didn’t know what to think. Just like that her plans, what she thought had been their plans, had been derailed. A once in a lifetime opportunity had been offered to Jonathon, a move to Africa. Amie has to adapt, and quickly, but doing so is exactly what lands her in hot water.


Having emigrated myself I understood a lot of the fears experienced by Amie, and feel the author brilliantly portrays the initial concerns of moving. In fact some of the airport experiences were all too familiar. The author successfully weaves a captivating story and portrays Africa well from an outsider’s perspective. I have family in Africa who emigrated many decades ago, and some of the books observations mirrored their own. A good read and a gripping adventure with atmospheric narrative that will keep you turning page after page.


Book link:


Amie: African Adventure


 


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Published on September 29, 2017 03:14

Book review: Tabula Rasa: The end is nigh by Gordon Bickerstaff (@ADPase )

When they attacked Zoe Tampsin in her own home they made the worst possible mistake of their lives. Zoe had received a mission directly from the PM, she was the best of the [image error]best. None of them gave a thought to how easily they had subdued the renowned and feared woman. Now she is on the hunt for revenge. Her attackers didn’t realise they had provided Zoe with intel even she was unaware of. The words Tabula Rasa. It is time for Zoe to get to the bottom of this once and for all. Her mission had been to locate Ramsey, the son of a deceased scientist. When things get scientific, the Lambeth group get Gavin Shawlens. He and Zoe embark on the quest with no idea the true depths of what they will uncover, the end is nigh, but no one seems to realise it.


This is the fifth book of the Lambeth Group Thrillers. To date I have read each one of these, and have enjoyed them all. I was excited to finally find time to read this one. There is so much built from the first book to this one, and the relationships forged continue to grow and change. Each book is self-contained, and individual in plot, premise, and ideas. The Lambeth series is certainly one of my favourite thriller series, and like its predecessors has been written with skill and attention to detail. You will find yourself lost in the story, journeying beside the characters, and be prepared for some amazing revelations. Gordon Bickerstaff has certainly set the bar for writers of this genre, and I am hoping to see more from the Lambeth Group Thrillers soon.


Book link:


Tabula Rasa: The end is nigh


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Published on September 29, 2017 02:42

September 25, 2017

Book review: Key to the Journey by Rue (@WriterRue )

Key to the Journey is the second book in The Chronicles of Hawthorne, and like the first book is a fantastic read. It picks up from where book one finishes. Flynn is dragged [image error]before the coven, and the latest discovery ensures she is removed from all her initiate training. Hazel speeds to Dreamwood Forest hoping to seek the aid of the three hundred year old witch within, and realised too late that she lacks the skill to ensure she reaches there safely. She awakes to find herself a prisoner of the forest, hunted and stalked by unseen predictors. Flynn, fearing for her friend risks all to save her  unaware these are the first steps of her own long and dangerous journey.


This is yet another skilfully woven tale by author Rue. I find it hard to believe I finished it so quickly. The book barely left from my hand from the moment I opened it. I was captivated by the story, eager to discover what lay in store for Flynn. More depth is added to characters as we witness the blooming and strengthening of relationships, and uncover secret agendas and hidden motives. The danger Flynn is destined to stop draws ever closer, and more truth about her origins come to light. I can’t wait to pick up book three.


Book link:


Key to the Journey


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Published on September 25, 2017 02:13

September 24, 2017

Book review: An Average Curse by Rue (@WriterRue )

It started with a prophecy. The ninth daughter of Temarama would repair the book of Shadow and Light, bring back spirit magic, and be the saviour of Aotearoa. That is a lot of pressure for a child, especially when they fail to live up to expectations at every turn. [image error]Flynn Hawthorne was expected to be marvellous, possess gifts beyond comprehension, but she had been born a watcher, non-magical, unable to create even the simplest of spells. She was a disappointment, and no one was ashamed to let her know just how deep their disappointment ran. Her only friend, Hazel, had failed her initiation, but given the depth of her power Flynn questioned if this had been intentional so that she may aid her in hers, and so starts the great description. With Hazel’s help Flynn pretends to wield a power she had no access to. Magic runs throughout the land, and she had long heard whispers of a poison contaminating the water near the veil of mist, now people of her own town are acting peculiar. The Shadow Coven seems to be making its move, and she must find a way to stop them, for the sake of everything.

Written with charm of a fairy-tale and the depth of high fantasy Hawthorne is an amazing fantasy read. From the first lines of the prologue I was whisked into a magical world where charm and magic run parallel to danger and fear. The setting is wonderful, the training in magic, charming. I loved watching the characters relationships and understandings growth. At the time of writing this I have not only purchased book two, but I have started it. An Average curse is a strong, whimsical, and fantastic first book to what looks to be a very promising series. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Book link:

An Average Curse



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Published on September 24, 2017 01:52

September 22, 2017

Book review: Desprite Measures by Deborah Jay (@DeborahJay2)

Cassie, a water sprite, had been living [image error]alone within the lochs for centuries, but as man adapted and developed so too did their technology. Plumbing made things particularly tricky for an elemental who likes to stay in her water form. Eventually she surrendered and moved to land to look and live like them. She had a small collection of friends and it was all going fine, until she was tricked, imprisoned and abducted. Held against her will by an evil magician she was pitted against a creature of her opposing nature, to touch the salamander could be to destroy all of Scotland, and yet, she feels drawn to her, tempted beyond anything she has felt before. Against her better judgement she seeks Gloria out again in hope to protect others from suffering a similar imprisonment, and instead finds herself caught up in a quest for revenge. Can she cool Gloria’s temper and douse the growing attraction, or will her loved ones be caught in the power game as two covens seek the elementals’ powers for their own? With so much at stake, is she even aware of the real danger threatening to consume her?



Packed with action and legends Desprite Measures is a well paced urban fantasy which starts slow and builds up momentum driven by the characters’ own desires and ambitions, between the evil Liam to the passionate Cassie you’ll find an array of colourful characters. The book itself has merit with a lot of mythology intricately woven into it to add spirit and charm to the tale. There are some adult scenes, but they don’t dominate the story although it is certainly dominated by myth, obsession and lust.

Book link:


Desprite Measures




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Published on September 22, 2017 13:19