D.J. Weaver's Blog, page 6

Book Review of MENAGERIE by Rick Jones

MENAGERIE was written by Rick Jones and published by Hive Collective in June, 2012, and can be purchased from www.amazon.com  You may find out more about the author at www.rickjonz.com
Rick Jones has once again taken a cue from the distant past and turned it into a modern-day adventure story for thriller lovers everywhere. MENAGERIE combines ancient archeological facts with unknown possibilities from beyond our universe to bring readers another Alyssa Moore/John Savage adventure that will keep them nail-biting and turning pages into the wee hours.
An earthquake has uncovered something strange two-thousand feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, and John and Alyssa are tapped by the DOD to investigate and gather information. What they find is a remnant of an ‘ark’ from somewhere in outer space, filled with something dangerously unexpected; along with a new theory about the near-extinction level event that took place millions of years ago on the edge of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Now, with DOD mercenaries and predators of another kind on their trail, the two must find a way out or die a horrible death.
Jones’ writing moves smoothly along throughout the story, and the characters are talented and amusing, while still being flawed in a way that makes them more human. This story is taunt and exciting from beginning to end and will leave readers wondering what is really out there beyond our world.
5 Spiders for MENAGERIE and Rick Jones.
DJ Weaver
For WebbWeaver Reviews

Book Review of CORNERSTONE by JM LeDuc

CORNERSTONE (Phantom Squad Series) was written by JM Leduc and published by Suspense Publishing in June, 2013. You may purchase this book at www.amazon.comand you may learn more about this author at http://maa0043.wix.com/jmleduc
CORNERSTONE by JM LeDuc would be considered in the genre of Christian fiction, but this author has brought to life a stunning action-adventure in the same arena with James Rollins and Brad Thor. LeDuc’s ‘Phantom Squad’, with leader Brent Venturi, can match wits with the best of them and does in this fourth installment of the Phantom Squad Series.
Venturi’s loss of faith, brought on by the death of his beloved wife, Chloe, sends him into a tailspin and back to the ‘beginning’, a monastery at the base of Mt. Ararat where he must face his maker in order to understand his destiny. Then, with the help of his newest protége’, Tag Achek, a Cree warrior and hardened Army sniper, Venturi must find a way to save the President of the United States and the members of the Phantom Squad from torture and death at the hands of an enemy from within.
JM Leduc is thrilling readers once again with his writing style and hard-edged approach in this exciting new page-turner. The characters are smart, capable and deadly, while the action is electrifying and continuous throughout this much anticipated sequel. I am personally, an action-adventure junkie of the tenth magnitude and this novel had my blood racing and my fingers itching to turn the pages. LeDuc’s research is spot-on and his religious representations almost saint-like. I must say, this is one of the most satisfying stories I have read in a while. Literary Awesomeness!!!
5 spiders for CORNERSTONE and JM LeDuc… GO GET THIS BOOK!
DJ Weaver for WebbWeaver Reviews

Book Review of HEART'S RANSOM by Kathryn Loch

HEART'S RANSOM was written by Kathryn Loch and published in August of 2012. You can purchase a copy of the novel at www.amazon.com You can learn more about this author by visiting her website at http://warhorseminis.blogspot.com/  Kathryn Loch has written a wonderful tale of romance with political and social upheaval set in 13th Century England and Wales. The historical accuracy is very impressive as the story of Talon and Gwen develops. After King Henry reneges on his word to uphold the Provisions of Oxford to create a more equal society, Earl Talon Montgomery joins with Motefort to lead a rebellion. Henry's son Edward is taken hostage but little does Talon know his own daughter has been kidnapped and will be used to control Talons every political move. Suspecting another arch enemy, Powys, he decides to abduct his daughter, Gwenilian. Gwen is betrothed to a horrible man but on her way to marry him her party is attacked by Talon and his men and she is kidnapped. Little does Talon realise that's exactly what Gwen wants and that her father has hired assassins to kill her.
Slowly, Gwen melts Talon's heart and heals it after a horrible first marriage. Talon also comes to realise what a treasure he has in Gwen. However, his heart will never be completely healed until his young daughter Rose, is returned unharmed from her abductors. But who has her? Despite being gone for a while, no ransom note has been sent. What is really going on and how can he protect Gwen when he can't even find his own daughter?
This is a historical romance filled with action, intrigue, love and healing. I strongly recommend this fabulous tale. 5-Spiders for this timeless novel!  Cheers From Down Under,Jennie JWebbWeaver Reviews

Dangerous Waters

      DANGEROUS WATERS was written by Anne Allen and published by Matador in 2012.    You can purchase a copy of Dangerous Waters at www.amazon.com   You can learn more about this author by visiting her website at http://anneallen.co.uk/  Going back to the island of Guernsey, Jeanne knew it would be difficult but facing her demons turned out to be the easy part.
After losing her parents in a boating accident as a 16 year old, Jeanne bears many internal scars. The problem is they are buried so deeply that she eventually decides to try hypnosis in an attempt to finally heal.   What Jeanne uncovers, however, is a lot more than she ever expected.  Someone on the island doesn't want her to remember and wants the past to remain buried. Suddenly, Jeanne faces danger of a kind she never expected.    As a debut novel, Anne Allen has written a story with mystery, intrigue, suspense and romance. It takes a while to get going though but if you stick with it you will enjoy the final outcome. 4-Spiders for this debut... a great Summer read!
Cheers From Down Under,Jennie JWebbWeaver Reviews

Book Review of J.K. Dark's DARK HARBORS

     
   DARK HARBORS was written by J.K. Dark and published by Poor Boy Press on April 3rd, 2013. DARK HARBORS is available for purchase at www.amazon.com You can learn more about this author by visiting his website at www.onthedarkside.wordpress.com     Jack Cross was a rock-n-roller with his band,The Pirates of Rock. Jack had it all; money, fame, prestige, but a series of bad decisions brought it all tumbling down. After Jack's downward spiral, he manages to scrape himself together and throw himself into the only thing he has left... his boat, The Dark Cross.     Dark Harbors immediately reeled me in and refused to let go no matter how much I squirmed…it begged to be read and who am I to argue with a good book?   I have made no qualms about being a huge J.K. Dark fan and I will make none again today... a great writer, is a great writer in my book! DARK HARBORS is as well a researched piece of literature as I have ever read and it shines through in the text. Beautiful, descriptive passages, engaging characters and... PIRATES!!! The perfect Summer afternoon read.  The story is so taut and fluid, it plays out like a great film in the readers mind as the plot twists-&-turns and buries itself in your psyche. This really COULD happen. J.K. Dark has done it again... A book about Sex, drugs, Rock-n-Roll, the High Seas and Pirates: now THAT really is a treasure. DARK HARBORS is a wonderful tale, uniquely told by a literary voice that is unforgettable. If you take any books to the beach this Summer, or load that Kindle or Nook, add DARK HARBORS to the top of your list...you will not be disappointed! 5-Spiders from me, all day long. CK Webb for WebbWeaver Reviews 
 

Book Review of John Mulhall's GEDDY'S MOON

GEDDY'S MOON was written by debut novelist John Mulhall and was published by Blanket Fort Books February 20th, 2013. You can learn more about John by visiting his website at www.johnmulhall.com     Geddy’s Moon can be described with only one word…  Masterpiece! The characters are full of life and can be seen by the reader as clearly as if they were standing right in front of you. The level of emotion achieved by the writer is a true thing of beauty and not something you easily find amongst debut novelists.  I fell in love with the characters and found myself twisted up with every emotion they felt… I had to know more, I had to take that journey with them. I am so glad I did.
'Geddy's Moon' is a quaint little town in Kansas. Like so many small towns, Geddy’s Moon has a few secrets of its own and doesn’t plan on keeping them hidden for long. Tyler has been trying to recover his memory for some time when he finds himself in the windswept wheat fields of Geddy’s Moon; a new life ahead of him. He meets a woman and begins spending time with her and her son. On the surface, everything seems great, but it is what’s just beneath the surface that’s got Tyler on edge. As each night in Geddy’s Moon brings more and more vivid nightmares, Tyler is unsure if those around him are safe; unsure if he is even who he thinks he is. As the dreams become more real, so do the childhood memories that began to race back in; memories that can’t possibly be real… or can they? The story is complex, but well thought out. There are some horrifying moments, some brilliant twists-&-turns and the ending is, for lack of a better word, perfect!I have seen so many readers comparing Geddy’s Moon to the likes of Stephen King and even Dean Koontz ( a pretty sweet comparison might I add?), BUT…
I WILL NOT BE DOING THAT…However, I will tell you that Geddy’s Moon is a book unlike any you have read and though the narrative feels familiar, like an old friend whose face has faded in memory over time, but whose voice stays with you and lingers, John Mulhall has stood up and screamed to the rafters and he has done it with a voice ALL his own!  A truly new voice has emerged… Horror fans take notice!
I am giving Geddy’s Moon a much deserved 5-spider rating and recommending it to anyone who isn’t afraid of the dark! CK Webb for WebbWeaver Reviews

Book Review of THE DEATH RELIC by Chris Kuzneski

     The Death Relic was written by Chris Kuzneski and published through Putnam Adult in 2013. You may buy this book at www.amazon.com and you may learn more about the author at www.chriskuzneski.com
Jon Payne and David Jones are back together again in this action-adventure romp by six-time international bestselling author Chris Kuzneski. If you have read his work before, you’ve probably met these two elite, military-trained heroes, who constantly make the reader laugh with their witty banter and keep us amazed with their prowess at outwitting their enemies.
The two badass best friends get together this time to save a damsel in distress and who doesn’t like that. From Mexico City to the Yucatan Peninsula, the team is on a mission to save Mayan and Aztec treasure and an artifact so powerful, it is known as The Death Relic.
Lies, deception, and kidnapping bad guys add to the story and compel the reader to turn the pages faster to keep up. Breakneck pacing and surprising revelations make this story grab the reader by the throat in true Kuzneski style, while bringing together a varied and realistic cast of characters.
Perfect timing, great personalities, fluid writing, and action, action, action, bring The Death Relic to life and keep Chris Kuzneski at the top of the action-adventure genre. Four spiders for this winning novel.
DJ WeaverReviewed for Suspense Magazine

Book Review of THE LAIRD: A Castle Blackstone Novel by Sandy Blair

   THE LAIRD was written by Sandy Blair and published by Winn-Hampton Press on February 7, 2013. You can purchase a copy of THE LAIRD at http://amazon.com    The Laird is a wonderful romance set in both modern times and in the historic highlands of Scotland.  It tells the story of Beth, a young woman with a heart-breaking background whose spirit and inner beauty captured my heart right from the very beginning.
Beth is the antithesis of most heroines in romance novels in the sense that she is described as 'plain' in appearance. She desperately longs to love and be loved but has resigned herself to a life without this heart's desire.
She unexpectedly inherits a castle in Scotland which is haunted by a ghost who has been trapped by a curse. She could be the chosen one who can break this curse but he won't know unless he take her back in time with him.
Sandy Blair has woven a wonderful tale of love, honour, clan loyalty, betrayal and adventure. I found myself fascinated by Beth's experiences in her time travel to the past and Blair writes with a humour I really enjoyed and I found myself chuckling aloud on many occasions. Duncan, the hero is a sexy, hunk of a man with a strong sense of honour and bravery.

This book was a delight from beginning to end and I would recommend it to readers of all kinds!
All the best from Down Under
Jennie J. for WebbWeaver Reviews

Book Review of THE EMERALD SCEPTER by Paul Kemprecos

The Emerald Scepterwas written by Paul Kemprecos and published through Suspense Publishing. You may purchase this book at www.amazon.com  or wherever eBooks are sold. You may learn more about the author on his web site at www.paulkemprecos.com
Back away Clive Cussler and James Rollins… Paul Kemprecos has penned a thrilling action/adventure that crosses all boundaries and drops the reader into the thick of it. The Emerald Scepter is everything action/adventure junkies demand and Kemprecos does it in a manner that places him squarely in line to take command of this ultra-entertaining genre.
Matt Hawkins is a physically and mentally wounded ex-SEAL, kicked out of the Navy and living a quiet life, until he is asked to return to Afghanistan to search for a treasure belonging to Prestor John, a legendary Christian ruler, and in particular, an emerald-encrusted cross thought to be Prestor’s power as a ruler. This cross is the link to a much darker scenario where thousands of people are killed in an attack to rival September 11th.
Matt’s team includes an old military friend, his ex-wife, and a computer whiz that is just a bit crazy. Together they travel thousands of miles and gleen historical and speculative information to find the treasure before it falls into the hands of murderers wanting power.
Great writing, cohesive characters, and more action and thrills than the reader can calculate make this novel flow to an impossible-to-put-down ending and I will be diligently checking out more works from Kemprecos.
5 spiders and well earned. If you are an action/adventure junkie like me, you cannot go wrong with The Emerald Scepter.

DJ Weaver

Book Review of AN INVITATION TO SIN by Sarah Morgan

An Invitation To Sin was written by Sarah Morgan and is set for release, May 21, 2013 from Harlequin Books. You can pre-order a copy of the book at www.amazon.com You can learn more about this author by visiting her website at www.sarahmorgan.com


Taylor Charmichael, a wild child movie star looking to restart her career, and Luca Coretti, one part of a family dynasty, find themselves in dire need of‘respectability’. Solution: a fake engagement. What could be easier? But putting these two under the same roof is explosive – in more ways than one!
          Another fun read from the talented Sarah Morgan.
In this story, Sarah has created two very lovable characters, both holding onto pain from the past, both desperate to avoid closeness at any cost. Taylor envies the way in which Luca lives his life – free and unfettered from people’s opinions. She longs to let go, to be the woman she really is. I loved reading how Luca slowly peeled away the layers to reveal the true Taylor. I loved reading how Taylor finally opened Luca’s eyes to the fact that love can be constructive instead of destructive. The witty banter between hero and heroine had me laughing out loud more than a few times and the chemistry between them had me turning the pages to get to the happily ever after. 4 Spiders from me! Jennie J for WebbWeaver Reviews