K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 65
January 8, 2017
Book review: Strange Luck by Amie Irene Winters
Strange Luck is a fantasy novel written by Amie Irene Winters
[image error]Daisy Darling wants nothing more than to leave the town of Sea Salt and her family’s oddity shop, Strange Luck, behind. Travel the world and study to become a writer. She has an imagination that knows no bounds, but even she can’t bring herself to believe the tales spun about the store she would be forced to run. It was said every item within had Supernatural secrets, from ravens that spoke in riddles to more dangerous curiosities. Quite simply Daisy Darling did not believe. But something was about to happen to change all that. For one hundred years Strange Luck has guarded a letter, and the secrets within will change the very course of her life.
Strange Luck by Amie Irene Winters reminds me very much of a combination between the old TV series Friday the thirteenth and The Neverending Story. A vast world of fantasy and imagination is created, overflowing with charm and adventure. The characters of Daisy and Roger, the two main protagonists, are well-developed and embark upon a wonderful journey which could be enjoyed by adult and child alike. This tale, and the skill with which it is told is a testament to the author’s talents. It was a truly wonderful read.
Book link:
Strange Luck
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
December 31, 2016
Book review: Welcome to the Galaxy by M D Tabat
Welcome to the Galaxy is an urban sci-fi reminiscent in some places of Douglas Addams in [image error]humour. When Quane’s spaceship arrived near the International Space Station he could almost taste the sale and what would it matter if his goods were not exactly above board? He was offering the people of Earth a chance to own their very own engine capable of travel through the universe. His first contact was with the fortunate souls occupying the space station, or more specifically Richard, who literally drew the short straw. Quane pulled out all the stops, spinning his greatest pitch. But the people of Earth have no idea what they purchased, or the dangers it would bring. Quane is a used-engine sales man, and his goods aren’t exactly up to code. Needless to say when the humans test their new merchandise, after years of preparation, things do not go quite as they envisioned.
Welcome to the Galaxy is an entertaining science fiction with strong characters and interesting plot. The story itself is split into parts giving a clear indication of time passage, whilst filling the reader in on important events that occurred during that time M D Tabat’s narrative voice is perfect for this work, allowing the tale to be gripping, serious, and yet filled with a very Hitchhiker’s Guide humour. I particularly appreciated the attention time to scientific detail and thought the concept of dark space, as a means to travel, was brilliant. The author does not shy away from science and explanations, but also makes it accessible, clever, and easy to understand for anyone with little scientific knowledge. All in all, I’m really glad I read Welcome to the Galaxy.
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Book link:
Filed under: author, book review, reading
December 25, 2016
Book review: Dew on Ginkgo Leaves by Todd L. Shuler
Dew on Ginkgo Leaves is a historical fiction written by author Todd L. Shuler. Wu Lei and Jade Flower had been the perfect team. They fought side by side in deadly union in protection of the empire and their battle cry struck terror in the hearts of all. Then after one gruelling battle Jade Flower’s cry was not echoed by her husband. She found him in the grasp of death, his passing would have marked the end of her own life, if not for the dart she found embedded within him. She knew then no enemy was responsible for his death, they had been betrayed by one of their own. She vowed to seek out his murderer, but the empire had not finished with her, deemed essential she was quickly reassigned into another unit of husband and wife warriors, and forbidden her time of mourning and assigned a new partner. Despite this new loyalty she vows to find her husband’s assassin, but first, the tigress that she is needs to be tamed, she must learn to see through the rage, to transform this act of personal vengeance into an act for the empire. Only with such detachment and clarity can she hope to bring down her husband’s killer, and remove the threat they pose to the empire itself.
Dew on Ginkgo Leaves is a truly gripping read. I found myself immersed in ancient China, complete with traditions and historical accuracy. I learnt many new things, and was encouraged to recall some I knew from history lessons and personal research, yet at no time did I feel I was being schooled in this era. The writing is smooth, gripping and wrought with well-scripted, and realistic action. Todd L. Shuler writes a believable tale based in the ancient era and does so brilliantly. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dew on Ginkgo Leaves It was a truly fascinating acting tale of love, loss, patriotism, and deceit, certainly more than enough to keep any reader turning the pages.
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Book link:
Book is currently unavailable for purchase.
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
December 24, 2016
Happy Holidays and self promotion
Hi everyone.
I hope you enjoyed my Christmas advent. Out of the 100+ books I have read this year it was really difficult to narrow my list down to just 24 to recommend.
I hope there has been something to pique your interest, and I just want to say thank you for joining me for my book advent calendar.
Now since Christmas, for me at least, is the time to settle down with a good fantasy, be it film or fiction, I’m going to sneak my book links below, yes, it is a little bit of shameless self promotion tagged onto the end of a thanks, but you’ll forgive me right? After all, I spend most of my time promoting other people’s work
On the 24th day of advent K.J. recommends to me….
Every day on the run up to Christmas I am going to recommend a book that I truly enjoyed reading.
On the 24th day of Christmas K.J’s advent recommends;
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Dark Associations by Marie Sutro (Twitter @mariesutro)
It is dark, gripping, tense, and filled with deep and interesting characters
Buy it here.
Support my choice of today’s book by using my pre-scripted tweet:
On the 24th day of advent K.J recommends to me
Dark Associations by @mariesutro
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Associations-Marie-Sutro-ebook/dp/B01M366ILG
#KJsAdvent #MustRead #bookboost
Please note: this is something I am doing in recognition of the books I have enjoyed. The authors do not know they have been selected, and have in no way asked to participate. I receive no form of profit from these recommendations.
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
December 23, 2016
On the 23th day of advent K.J. recommends to me….
Every day on the run up to Christmas I am going to recommend a book that I truly enjoyed reading.
On the 23th day of Christmas K.J’s advent recommends;
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The Last Swordmage by Martin F. Hengst (Twitter @mfhengst )
Well developed characters and brilliant world building make this one book you’ll not want to put down
Buy it here.
Support my choice of today’s book by using my pre-scripted tweet:
On the 23th day of advent K.J recommends to me
The Last Swordmage by @mfhengst
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Swordmage-Trilogy-Magic-Solendrea-ebook/dp/B00AR187RA
#KJsAdvent #MustRead #bookboost
Please note: this is something I am doing in recognition of the books I have enjoyed. The authors do not know they have been selected, and have in no way asked to participate. I receive no form of profit from these recommendations.
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
December 22, 2016
On the 22th day of advent K.J. recommends to me….
Every day on the run up to Christmas I am going to recommend a book that I truly enjoyed reading.
On the 22th day of Christmas K.J’s advent recommends;
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The Healer by C.J. Anaya (Twitter @CJAnaya21 )
Real characters, enjoyable dialogue, and fun to read, add secrets, romance, and mythology, what more could you ask for?
Buy it here.
Support my choice of today’s book by using my pre-scripted tweet:
On the 22th day of advent K.J recommends to me
The Healer by @CJAnaya21
https://www.amazon.com/Healer-Young-Adult-Romantic-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01BZB7PMI
#KJsAdvent #MustRead #bookboost
Please note: this is something I am doing in recognition of the books I have enjoyed. The authors do not know they have been selected, and have in no way asked to participate. I receive no form of profit from these recommendations.
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing [image error]
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December 21, 2016
On the 21th day of advent K.J. recommends to me….
Every day on the run up to Christmas I am going to recommend a book that I truly enjoyed reading.
On the 21th day of Christmas K.J’s advent recommends;
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The Reviled by Cynthia A. Morgan (Twitter @MorganBC728 )
A beautifully written tale wrought with magic, intrigue, and danger.
Buy it here.
Support my choice of today’s book by using my pre-scripted tweet:
On the 21th day of advent K.J recommends to me
The Reviled by @MorganBC728
https://www.amazon.com/Reviled-Dark-Fey-Book-ebook/dp/B00RZMVNQQ
#KJsAdvent #MustRead #bookboost
Please note: this is something I am doing in recognition of the books I have enjoyed. The authors do not know they have been selected, and have in no way asked to participate. I receive no form of profit from these recommendations.
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
December 20, 2016
On the 20th day of advent K.J. recommends to me….
Every day on the run up to Christmas I am going to recommend a book that I truly enjoyed reading.
On the 20th day of Christmas K.J’s advent recommends;
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Demon Bound by David Parkland (Twitter @ParklandDavid )
Like the character’s the author of this book has a knack for spinning a tale in this enjoyable and unique read
Buy it here.
Support my choice of today’s book by using my pre-scripted tweet:
On the 20th day of advent K.J recommends to me
Demon Bound by @ParklandDavid
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Demon-Bound-Marris-Wade-Book-ebook/dp/B017CBZWXY
#KJsAdvent #MustRead #bookboost
Please note: this is something I am doing in recognition of the books I have enjoyed. The authors do not know they have been selected, and have in no way asked to participate. I receive no form of profit from these recommendations.
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
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December 19, 2016
On the 19th day of advent K.J. recommends to me….
Every day on the run up to Christmas I am going to recommend a book that I truly enjoyed reading.
On the 19th day of Christmas K.J’s advent recommends;
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Wilde Omens by Bree Lawrence (Twitter @BreeLawrence )
With an interesting, page turning plot wrought with danger, betrayal, and deception you’ll still be guessing where Penelope should place her trust right up until the end.
Buy it here.
Support my choice of today’s book by using my pre-scripted tweet:
On the 19th day of advent K.J recommends to me
Wilde Omens by @BreeLawrence
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wilde-Omens-Travel-Fantasy-Wardens-ebook/dp/B016MUTNJK
#KJsAdvent #MustRead #bookboost
Please note: this is something I am doing in recognition of the books I have enjoyed. The authors do not know they have been selected, and have in no way asked to participate. I receive no form of profit from these recommendations.
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
