P.A. Wilson's Blog, page 11

Mageborn: The Line of Illeniel by Michael G Manning | Book Review

This is the second book in the series and I reviewed the first one a few weeks ago. In the second book, the story gets a bit darker. Our hero has to protect the kingdom against overwhelming odds and his allies don’t all support his plans. When the king worries that he has a mad mage on his hands, things get really interesting.

The facts:

Mageborn: The Line of Illeniel

Michael G Manning

Here’s the bio from Amazon.

Michael Manning, a practicing pharmacist, has been a fantasy and science-fiction reader for most of his life. He has dabbled in software design, fantasy art, and is an avid tree climber. He lives in Texas, with his stubborn wife, two kids, and a menagerie of fantastic creatures, including a moose-poodle, a vicious yorkie, and a giant prehistoric turtle.

Opinion:

If you liked the first one, Mageborn, you’ll like this one too. Our hero takes on more challenges and settles into the power that woke in the first book of the series.

Rating:

 

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The Hurricane by Hugh Howey | book review

I expected a story similar to the Wool omnibus. This is possibly the opposite of those books. A hurricane devastates a neighborhood and we see how people manage through the first chaotic times.  I got involved with the characters and worried about them during the difficulties they faced recovering their lives.

FACTS:

The Hurricane  

Hugh Howey

Here’s the bio from Amazon

Hugh Howey is the author of the award-winning Molly Fyde Saga and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling WOOL series. The WOOL OMNIBUS won Kindle Book Review’s 2012 Indie Book of the Year Award — it has been as high as #1 in the Kindle store — and 17 countries have picked up the work for translation. Look for WOOL in hardback in 2013 from Random House UK and keep your fingers crossed that Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian will do something exciting with the film rights!

Hugh lives in Jupiter, FL with his wife Amber and their dog Bella. When he isn’t writing, he’s reading or taking a photograph.

OPINION:

If you like Hugh Howey’s writing, you’ll love this one. If you only like his science fiction, you’ll be disappointed. I think it’s well worth the read.

RATING:

 

 

 

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Hostile Witness by Rebecca Forster | Book Review

I loved it. This story has some great broken characters, enough so that it comes to the very edge of being noir, but doesn’t tip over. Every time I thought things were about to start going right, something horrible happened. Great suspense, great emotional tension. If you do like it, there are other books in the series to buy.

Facts:

Hostile Witness

Rebecca Forster

Here’s her rather long bio from Amazon.com

I marketed a world-class spa when it was still called a gym and did business in China before there were western toilettes at the Great Wall. Then I wrote a book on a crazy dare and found my passion.

Now, I am a USA Today and Amazon best selling author with more than 26 books to my name – and if you ask me where all those words came from I’d be hard pressed to tell you. All I know is that I wake up with a story in my head and go to bed the same way.

I write thrillers with an eye toward the very human element of my characters. The Witness Series follows the lives of attorney Josie Bates, her ward, Hannah, and Josie’s lover, Archer. The series was voted #1 in PRG Reviewers Choice for series and Eyewitness was voted #1 in the mystery/thriller genre. I try to push creative boundaries with my non-series books. Before Her Eyes garnered a B&P Readers Choice Award for best mystery.

I have taught at the UCLA Writers Program, UC Irvine and Cal State Long Beach and lecture at writers groups, women’s conferences and philanthropic events. I am most proud of the work I do with The Young Writers Conference, a program that helps motivate middle school children to explore the power of words. I am particularly drawn to kids who want to write because both my sons have always had a passion for it. Eric is a playwright and novelist (see Eric Czuleger) and Alex is in film.

When I’m not writing I’m traveling, on a tennis court, working a sewing machine or reading. Thank you so much for taking a look at my author page. You can find out more about me – and leave me a note – at www.rebeccaforster.com

Opinion:

There are multiple twists in the plot as Josie tries to navigate the legal machinations, her lapsed friendship, her love life, and betrayal. I recommend it to people who like their mysteries more like thrillers with grit.

Rating:

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The Blacksmith’s Son by Michael G Manning | book review

This is the first book in the Mageborn series and I was leery of it at first. My sister recommended it to me and I’m glad I listened to her.

It’s hard to get the story right on this kind of book. A young man who suddenly finds himself in possession of powers. Michael G. Manning has done a great job of bringing humor and humanity to the characters while keeping the villains nice and evil.

Facts:

The Blacksmith’s Son: Mageborn book 1

Michael G Manning

Michael Manning, a practicing pharmacist, has been a fantasy and science-fiction reader for most of his life. He has dabbled in software design, fantasy art, and is an avid tree climber. He lives in Texas, with his stubborn wife, two kids, and a menagerie of fantastic creatures, including a moose-poodle, a vicious yorkie, and a giant prehistoric turtle.

Here’s the bio from Amazon

Opinion:

I was entertained by the story. If you like your coming of age stories to have a magical component and you like battles between real evil and inexperienced good, you’ll like this one.

Rating:

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The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith | Book review

This book was narrated by Robert Glenister. He does a great job of narrating, keeping the characters separate and not overdoing the female voices.

The controversy surrounding the exposure of Robert Galbraith being J.K. Rowling kind of put me off the book. When there’s buzz like that, I am skeptical that the quality of the read is lost in the gossip. I was pleasantly surprised when I did listen to the book. It’s a great British mystery, one that values characters and plots as equally important.

 FACTS:

The Cuckoo’s Calling 

By Robert Galbraith

There’s no link to a bio on Amazon, but we all know the story of J.K. Rowling.

It’s heartening to know that someone who wrote such a popular series as Harry Potter, has other more adult stories in her. I did notice we will have a new book in this series come June 2014.

 

Opinion:

I’ve always enjoyed a good British mystery. The characters in this one are easy to root for, and yet somehow full of their own pain and quirks. If you like a to follow as the sleuth uncovers the truth, and you’re not too worried about characters who are deeply flawed, this one is for you.

Rating:

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Jackrabbit Junction Jitters by Ann Charles | book review

I read the first book in the series and went looking for more. This is one of those series that follows a family through different romantic story lines. What makes this one different is that – at least so far – the first romance is still an ongoing story in the other books.

Well written and kookie.

Facts:

Jackrabbit Junction Jitters

Ann Charles

Here’s the bio from Amazon

Ann Charles is an award-winning author who writes mysteries that are splashed with romance and humor. Her book NEARLY DEPARTED IN DEADWOOD won the 2010 Daphne du Maurier for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense Award and the 2011 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award for Best Novel With Strong Romantic Elements.

Currently, she has several fiction books available: NEARLY DEPARTED IN DEADWOOD, OPTICAL DELUSIONS IN DEADWOOD, DEAD CASE IN DEADWOOD (selected as one of Suspense Magazine’s BEST OF 2012 books), and BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD, which are all part of her ongoing Deadwood Mystery Series. The fifth book in this series will be out in mid-2014.

Also available from Ann are the first three books in her Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series: DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS, JACKRABBIT JUNCTION JITTERS, and THE GREAT JACKALOPE STAMPEDE.

 Opinion:

I like this series and plan to read more of her books. If you like sassy heroines with crazy families, check this one out.

Rating:

 

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Don’t Let Me Go by Catherine Ryan Hyde | Book review

The story starts out with a group of odd people who all need help. It goes on to become odder and more engaging as Grace affects everyone she touches. A drug addicted mother, a lonely and housebound friend and an apartment full of characters. Grace finds a way to open the hearts all around her.

FACTS:

Don’t Let Me Go

By Catherine Ryan Hyde

Here’s the bio from Amazon:

Catherine Ryan Hyde is the author of 25 published and forthcoming books, including WHERE WE BELONG, WHEN I FOUND YOU, WALK ME HOME, SECOND HAND HEART, DON’T LET ME GO, and WHEN YOU WERE OLDER. New Kindle editions of her backlist titles FUNERALS FOR HORSES, EARTHQUAKE WEATHER AND OTHER STORIES, ELECTRIC GOD, and WALTER’S PURPLE HEART are now available. Also available is THE LONG, STEEP PATH: EVERYDAY INSPIRATION FROM THE AUTHOR OF PAY IT FORWARD, her first book-length creative nonfiction. She has two new novels forthcoming from Amazon Publishing in 2014, TAKE ME WITH YOU in July and THE LANGUAGE OF HOOFBEATS in December.

OPINION:

Highly recommended for people who like stories that are character driven and full of hope. I will be buying more from this author.

RATING:

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That Touch of Magic by Lucy March | Book Review

This book was narrated by Amanda Ronconi and she does a great job of capturing that snarky undertone that runs through all of Lani Diane Rich’s books (Lucy March is Lani).

I was looking forward to this book because I like the author and I liked the first Nodaway Falls book. This one is a great follow up to A Little Night Magic, and the world is consistent with a magic that seems everyday.

Normally, I have no reservations about giving 5 stars to Lani’s work, and a lot of people will do it, but I have to say I was hoping that the other guy would turn out to be the love of her life. It’s apparent pretty quickly who is The Guy, but I couldn’t like him.

 FACTS:

That Touch of Magic 

By Lucy March

Lucy March is a pen name of Lanie Diane Rich. Here’s the bio from Amazon.

I’m Lani, and I’m a writer, a teacher, and a mom. I live in Syracuse, NY with my husband and two daughters. My favorite color is yellow, and I have a thing for polka dots that borders on the ridiculous.

I wrote my first book, “Time Off For Good Behavior” during NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month, fifty thousand words in the thirty days of November – and was the first previously-unpublished author to publish a NaNoWriMo manuscript. It’s a very specific niche, but it’s all mine. “Time Off” won the Rita Award for Best First Book, and I went on to publish another seven solo novels and one collaboration. So, apparently, it wasn’t a fluke. I find that comforting.

At the moment, I’m writing magical romance novels as Lucy March. I’m still Lani on the inside; it’s a publishing thing. If you’d like to learn more about what I’m doing now, visit LaniDianeRich.com, LucyMarch.com, or StoryWonk.com. And thank you!

 

Opinion:

It’s a fun romance and the magic is important to the story. I enjoyed listening to the narration, and the overall story was great. One of the things I like about romance is the possibility of redemption in any situation. If you enjoy a fun romance with a lot of redemption, you’ll like this one.

Rating:

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The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffry | book review

I return to this book every few years. The story is fantasy, but the situations are human. On a backdrop of dire danger to the people we watch the characters learn trust – well not all of them, leadership, and love. If you fall in love with this world, there are plenty more books to keep you engrossed.

 FACTS:

The Dragonriders of Pern

By Anne McCaffrey

Here’s the bio from Amazon.

Anne McCaffrey, the Hugo Award-winning author of the bestselling Dragonriders of Pern® novels, is one of science fiction’s most popular authors. With Elizabeth Ann Scarborough she co-authored Changelings and Maelstrom, Books One and Two of The Twins of Petaybee. McCaffrey lives in a house of her own design, Dragonhold-Underhill, in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Opinion:

If you enjoy fantasy that looks at the social norms and how people react under pressure, you’ll enjoy this book.

Rating:

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The Jewels of Paradise by Donna Leon | book review

I knew this was not a Brunetti novel, but I kept wanting him to come around a corner and say something to the heroine. This one has different characters and a very different mystery, but it’s the same Venice. The Church history and the music combine into an interesting story of greed and power.

 FACTS:

The Jewels of Paradise

By Donna Leon

Here’s the bio from Amazon.

A New Yorker of Irish/Spanish descent, Donna Leon first went to Italy in 1965, returning regularly over the next decade or so while pursuing a career as an academic in the States and then later in Iran, China and finally Saudi Arabia. Leon has received both the CWA Macallon Silver Dagger for Fiction and the German Corrine Prize for her novels featuring Commisario Guido Brunetti. She lives in Venice.

Opinion:

If you enjoy the Commisario Guido Brunetti stories, you will probably like this one. It’s the same Venice with it’s complicated politics and secrets. The mystery is more internal than criminal in this one.

Rating:

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