D.J. Weaver's Blog, page 16

Book Review of 'Medieval Menace' by Terri Ann Armstrong

Medieval Menace is the second book in Terri Ann Armstrong's 'Menace Trilogy' and was published through Suspense Publishing. It is available as an ebook at amazon.com.
Starleen Maddox has no time for reading as she may be losing her mind instead. She seems to be missing some time and can't figure out where it's going. During her missing minutes, men are being murdered at an alarming rate and in some strange ways. Is she doing these terrible things...or is there something else going on here that Starleen is unaware of? After being dumped by the love of her life, Starleen is being counseled and has some rage issues towards the man she still loves. Her counselor seems to think that she is just having normal thoughts and things will get better. But Starleen is beginning to think she may be more sick than even she imagines.
Terri Ann Armstrong takes us on a terrifying trip through the mind of a killer who kills with medieval weaponry in a most savage manor. The story unfolds quickly and keeps you guessing as to who the culprit really is and why these terrible crimes are happening.
Great characters and even better murder methods tell a tale that will keep the reader guessing to the end. The story is fast-paced and progresses along quickly, keeping you on the edge till the gruesome end. Ms Armstrong has done it again with this second in her series and we can't wait to read the next installment.
I am giving Medieval Menace a 4 spider rating and suggesting this read to anyone who likes a fast-paced thriller with a kick. Go get it.
DJ Weaver

Book Review of 'The Native Star' by MK Hobson

The Native Star was writen by MK Hobson and published by Spectra in August, 2010. It is available for purchase at amazon.com.
Emily Edwards is a witch, whose business is poultices and magic draughts. And business is not booming thanks to a rival, mass-producing company. On top of that, Emily's 'Pap' is ailing and she is worried that she won't be able to make ends meet.
Although she is hesitant, Emily crafts a love spell for Dag Hanson, the most prosperous lumberman in the village, hoping for salvation in a good marriage. But the spell goes wrong and Dag is instantly smitten… and not in a good way. Then, bad goes to worse as Emily and the snobbish warlock, Dreadnought Stanton, are called on to attempt to incapacitate the magicked, reanimated zombies that work the mines nearby. In her attempt to control the zombie miners, Emily inadvertently touches a strange gemstone that becomes immovably imbedded in her palm. This 'Native Stone', it is soon discovered, is made of a rare element and possess incredible power to absorb magic, which explains the zombie attacks. Stanton makes Emily an offer she can't refuse and they are off on a wild ride to find out the secrets of the stone and its powerful draw. What they find are nasty sangrimancers, religious zealots and power-hungry warlocks who all want a piece of Emily and the stone. Emily and Stanton must find a way to harness the stone's powers and save the world.
M.K. Hobson has set this story in an alternate version of America and has given it a 'steampunk' feel, with magical, fantasy-like scenes from the Old West. She has detailed this magic place with delicious descriptions of several classes of witches, who are all very powerful. Her main characters are thoroughly enjoyable, as they deal with human emotions and shortcomings. The secondary characters are varied and believable, with their own ticks and quirks, which add to the fantasy feel of the story.
The settings, the characters and the unusual situations in The Native Star, make it a world of magic and a book not to be missed. I'm giving The Native Star a 4 spidar rating and suggesting it to anyone who loves a great fantasy adventure story.
DJ Weaver

Book Review for 'Billy's Family' by Eric B. Thomasma

Billy's Family was written by Eric B. Thomasma and illustrated by Lanin D. Thomasma. It was self published by the author in June, 2011 and is available for purchase at amazon.com/ You can learn more about this wonderful author and all his work by visiting his website at http://ericbt.webs.com/ Little Billy is an only child, but longs for a big family. As he questions the ins and outs of family life, his mother is there to help him understand. A trip to a huge family reunion, some long talks with his grandmother and Billy soon discovers, the family he has always wanted has been there all along. A touching journey of family ties as seen through the eyes of a child, Thomasma's unique voice speaks directly to the heart. The illustrations are adorable and make Billy's journey come to life as each page is turned. A 'must have' for children. I urge parents to pick up this uniquely quirky, educational and fun read for their children.
This book could easily become a chapter book for school age children in the 1st through 3rd grade and a wonderful teaching tool for those just discovering aunts, uncles, cousins and more. My 9-year old son gave it, "5-spiders for sure, momma!" and you just can't argue with that!! We are giving Billy's Family a 5 spider rating and recommending it to anyone with a small child. Whether your family is big or small, Billy's Family is sure to be a hit at story time.
CK Webb

Book Review for 'Birds Can Fly And So Can I' by Noa Nimrodi

Birds Can Fly And So Can I was written by Noa Nimrodi with beautiful illustrations by Tamir Lichtenberg. It was published in 2011 by Grassroots Publishing Group and is available for purchase at www.amazon.com/ You can learn more about this children's author by visiting her website at http://www.noabooks.com/ Giraffe has big dreams and high aspirations. More than anything in the world, she wants to take flight and soar high above the trees and into the clouds. But, how can she ever reach her goal when she has no wings? By daring to dream! Birds Can Fly And So Can I is an absolutely adorable children's book with a message that will linger with your children long after the story has been told. Wonderful illustrations bring the book to life in this tale, reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss classic. Dreams can come true and children can be anything they set their mind to in this sweet and well crafted book. My nine year old son says, "Give it as many spiders as you have!" Destined to be a favorite in your children's life, I am giving Birds Can Fly And So Can I, 5 spiders and urging anyone with kids to pick this one up. A must read to add to your child's collection!CK Webb

Book Review of 'Fork In The Road To Apocalypse' by Jeff Gonsalves

Fork In The Road To Apocalypse (Subnorm Series) was written by Jeff Gonsalves and published by Wild Child Publishing in September, 2010. It is available as a Kindle edition at amazon.com.Chuck Anderssen's nephew, Elliott is a subnorm. A very disturbed child with the ability to alter reality and the government knows it. Chuck is an operative and works for the Genetics Bureau. It's his job to bring in people just like Elliott. So when Elliott can no longer control his outbursts, Chuck sees no other way to save him except to bring him in.But when the Bureau decides to make Elliott into a combat weapon, using his psychic abilities as weaponry, Chuck and a team of renegades spirit Elliott away to a vast wasteland to hide. Is Elliott unconsciously using his abilities against them? Chuck must try to save his nephew, even though Elliott's powers may be more than mankind can handle.This second book in Jeff Gonsalves' 'Subnorm Series' does not disappoint. Full of action and fast-paced, Fork In The Road To Apocalypse is an 'in-your-face' sci/fi read that will keep you on the edge. The characters are fascinating and authentic and the descriptions are well written and panoramic. Jeff Gonsalves has penned another exciting read for the scifi/fantasy genre and it is a winner.I'm giving Fork In The Road To Apocalypse a 4 spider rating and recommending to anyone who loves the genre or who just loves to read a well written novel. Follow this author!DJ Weaver

Book Review of 'Norah: The Making of an Irish-American Woman in 19th Century New York' by Cynthia Neale

Norah: The Making of an Irish-American Woman in 19th-Century New York was written by Cynthia Neale and published by Lucky Press, LLC in February, 2011. It may be purchased at www.amazon.com.
Cynthia Neale pens a story of a young, Irish women named Norah McCabe living with her family in 1850s' New York City. Nora is a very independent and passionate girl, who is full of love for her family, while also determined to make a life for herself in America. Norah has many dreams and struggles to make the best of everything against all odds.
This historically-based novel tells of life in 1850s in New York as seen through Nora's eye as she fights her way to adventure, love and respectability.
I found this book very interesting with the rich history of those early times portrayed so well by Ms Neale. The writing is fresh and clear and Nora's character is spunky and straight-forward. The characters of Nora's parents are well written and we clearly see the love they have for their daughter. This is a wonderful read and I'm giving this book a 4 spider rating. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historically based fiction with added adventure and romance. Great job by Cynthia Neale.
T Lane

BOOK TRAILER FOR CRUELTY TO INNOCENTS

Book Review of 'Out of Time' by Monique Martin

Out of Time is a paranormal romance written by Monique Martin and available through amazon.com in Kindle form.
Elizabeth West is going to die! Or, at least, that is what vampire researcher and Occult Professor Simon Cross's nightmares are telling him. But can these haunting dreams really mean something? Elizabeth is Simon's easy-going, attractive assistant at the university and a lovely girl, whom Simon has thought of in other terms beside 'Assistant', but he has spent his life avoiding entanglements. Elizabeth thinks Simon is attractive and she has a thing for him, but she knows it can never be because of his stuffy, uptight attitude.
How then, do these two opposites end up traveling back through time to 1920's New York and living there together as husband and wife to keep outsider suspicions from interfering with their plan to get back to their own time? And what about those mobsters and their strange leader with the eerie eyes, seemingly invincible body and a deadly attraction to Elizabeth?
Monique Martin has penned a tantalizing tale of time travel in this new take on the vampire genre and it is a winner. This story is heavy on history of the 1920 era in New York City and the way of life then. The characters are interesting and playful with Elizabeth's wonderfully, bubbly personality and Simon's 'just-what-he-ought-to-be' hero persona. The story is imaginative and new and the writing is clean and neat as a pin.
I am giving Out of Time a 4 spider rating and recommending it especially to those who like a fast-paced paranormal romance. Don't miss it.
DJ Weaver

Book Review of 'Exit' by Liliana Badd

Exit was written by Liliana Badd and published by Trafford Publishing in July, 2010. You can purchase it at amazon.com
Ondine Duquesne-Schmidt finds herself facing death and wondering if she has lived her life in the best possible manner. This is a story of one woman's trip to find inner peace in the face of terminal illness and to make her life count. She must follow a course to find herself and to find the dream she abandoned many years ago…the dream of becoming a writer.
In her travels she finds who and what are most important to her and that a good life cannot be measured by time, but by how one lives.
This book brought out feelings and made me question how I live my own life…how I would feel if I were in Ondine's place. It is an eye-opener that will make you question everything you believe and how you treat others, ill or well. It is well written and keeps you turning pages until the end. This book will make you think.
I am giving Exit a 4 spider rating and recommending it to one and all. Liliana Badd has written a wonderful story for everyone, no matter your age.
T Lane

Book Review of 'Titanic 2012 - Curse of RMS Titanic' by Robert W. Walker

Titanic 2012-Curse of RMS Titanic was written by Robert W. Walker and published by RobertWalkerbooks.com in Sept., 2010. It can be purchased at amazon.com.
When a daunting group of salvage experts set sail on board the high-tech ship Scorpio, to salvage the RMS Titanic, one crew member is looking for something other than the riches lying at the bottom of the Atlantic.
In another place and time, a Belfast inspector pursues a shadowy figure into the bowels of the soon-to-sail, RMS Titanic after a grisly murder takes place. What do these two events have in common? More than you may think.
In 1912, Alastair Ransom, with the help of two medical students, is chasing someone or something that is committing terrible murders in Belfast. When the killer's path leads them onto the RMS Titanic, the threesome must sail on the fateful maiden voyage to uncover the killers identity and prevent the total destruction of life as they know it. One hundred years later, a crew member on the Scorpio must convince her friend that something other than an iceberg caused the sinking of the fated Titanic, before the salvage operations begin and a terrible entity is set loose on the world.
Robert W. Walker's dual story moves us through time to discover the 'true' facts of one of the worlds most lavish ships and the horrendous story of it's untimely sinking and loss of life. This novel gives the reader a new insight into what really could have caused the Titanic to go down and what could lie ahead for the fate of mankind.
The story is full of true facts about the great ship and it's sinking, while telling a tale of murder and intrigue. Walker has done a wonderful job of keeping the reader on edge and turning pages while convincing us that things are not always as they appear.
This imaginative re-telling of the story is fraught with fact and science fiction and will leave you wondering. The characters are true-to-life and wonderfully written and the story is spot-on. If you are a Titanic enthusiast, you must pick up a copy of Titanic 2012 for yourself.
I am giving Titanic 2012-Curse of RMS Titanic a four spider rating and recommending it to all who enjoy a twisting tale based in truth and full of sci/fi terror.
DJ Weaver