Samyann's Blog, page 31

A Date With Angel by J. Judkins – eBook Review

A Date With Angel begins with the lead character, Kim, stargazing, albeit not enthusiasticly. She is distracted by a cry in the dark and investigates. In a distant parking lot, she spots a naked woman struggling into a t-shirt. The author explains Kim’s normal reaction this way:

Anyone who had ever seen the movies knew that when killer robots from the future journey back through time, they always arrived naked.

You’d be correct in assuming the lead character is a video gaming nerd and thus begins the hilarious adventure of a geek and her alien lover, Angel. Can’t give away any secrets, this is simply a great, funny romp. A Date With Angel is LGBTQ, ergo, know your audience, should this be a gift.

Unusual for a first novel, A Date With Angel is available in multiple formats. eBook, paperback, and audio. Do yourself a favor and read/listen to a terrific first release by this talented author.

Rolled by Brian Hartman – eBook Review

You’ll find Rolled to be a very short story, only twenty pages. Rolled is the touching story of a nice guy being a gentleman protecting a woman from the unwanted advances of an obnoxious drunk. I don’t want to give any more details, but it is a lovely story. The title and cover design say it all.

Well written, worth the time. Enjoyed.

Eating Off The Floor by Kesia Alexandra – eBook Review

Eating Off The Floor is a short story, easily read in one sitting. The story is one of motherly love, desperate necessity, devious forethought. A divorced mother is a talented bio engineer, and to support the expensive education of her son, a stripper. She supplements her income in a manner that is the thrust of Eating Off The Floor.

The story emphasizes the means to which one will go in the right…or wrong…circumstances. A unique look into a lifestyle choice made by unfortunate situations that are an assumed backstory. The author cleverly lets the reader make up their own mind in several areas…most specifically, the ‘why’ of it all. Nicely done, food for thought.

Well written, a fast read, worth the time. Enjoy!

The Bastard’s Blade by Luca Thrace – eBook Review

The Bastard’s Blade is a character driven medieval romance. Mature content. A young widow is thrust into circumstances typical of the era and she resigns herself to an unwanted fate. The author accurately portrays the unfair chauvinism she was subjected to, a symptom of the times. However, true love is not to be denied simply because of these horrible dictums. No secrets, but you’ll admire the lead character and root for her immediately and throughout some surprising plot twists.

The romantic elements are very sensual. Description is well done and tasteful, albeit passionate and erotic. So, know your recipient if this book is to be a gift. At just over four hundred pages, The Bastard’s Blade is a page-turning fantasy with great description, crisp and meaningful dialogue. Admirable research using words and text very emblematic of medieval times, nicely done!

Great story. If you like the romantic medieval romance genre, this is the book for you. Enjoy!!

Viper in the Forest – Young Marian eBook by Mandy Webster

Ever wonder about the life of Maid Marian before the perceptions we all have had based on The Adventures of Robin Hood? Would you like to introduce a young adult to the wonderful world of reading? Buy this book!! A wonderful gift.

What a terrific first novel! The middle ages in England is beautifully conveyed. Marian is far from a doey-eyed damsel in distress needing rescued, but a strong lead character.

Colorful and enchanting in detail, you’ll find yourself page-turning and staying up too late. I’m looking forward to a continuation of the series.

Enjoy!

The Rad Misfits by Marlina Williams – eBook Review

The Rad Misfits is a dystopian novel young adults will really take pleasure in reading. Don’t hesitate to make this a gift and introduce a young person to the joys of reading. The story begins with backstory description of world definition. Solar storms have virtually decimated the surroundings we know and the only survivors are pregnant women. Technology and modern convenience is part of the past. As the story progresses, we learn that others survive, but only to young adults in their 30s.

Is there hope for the future? Will the sickness prevail? How … or will … civilization move forward? No secrets, you need to delve into the wonderful and unique world created by Marlina Williams and explore for yourself!

The only reason I can’t go five stars is the eBook has a glitch in links. I fanned through the pages of the paperback on Amazon, which seems to be fine. So, don’t be discouraged with minor distractions. Could simply be a bad download on my Kindle system.

This is a great first novel and I look forward to subsequent releases. Enjoy!!

Home to You by Taylor Sullivan – eBook Review

Home to You is a breakout novel, first release by Taylor Sullivan. You will find that fact hard to believe. Touching, emotional, and real are a few words that are a feeble attempt to describe this lovely story. Love that blooms over years, heartbreak, tragedy, and real life events you will relate to traverse the pages of a pleasant read.

The cover is a beautiful peek into a tale you will enjoy. Phrases will bring pause and you simply need to read again, and think. Very nicely done.

Great first novel and I look forward to subsequent releases by Taylor Sullivan.

Night Planes by Patrick Link – eBook Review

Night Planes takes place in the mid eighties in the dark and scary world of white gold, another term is cocaine. Mike, an average guy, albeit with a military background, finds himself caught up in this world. The story starts with his kidnapping and the thrills and adventure never stop. Desperation abounds but you’ll have no trouble following along. The lead character is likable and you’ll be rooting for him right out of the chute.

Every once in a while you run across a book in the plethora of self-published material that is truly a gem … this is one. Just under 500 pages of a ride through an arena I knew little about … drug trafficking. The only reason I can’t go 5 star is very minor structure stuff you’ll probably fan right by. Exciting story you will page-turn through and stay up to late to finish. Enjoy!!!

Goodreads Review of Yesterday – A Novel of Reincarnation

Yesterday: A Novel of Reincarnation 

by Samyann (Goodreads Author)

Terri‘s review

Nov 27, 15
4 of 5 stars

Read from November 03 to 10, 2015 — I own a copy

I received a copy of this audiobook at no charge in exchange for my honest review. This is definitely not my go-to genre, but my experience with Yesterday has been a huge reminder to me to broaden my horizons a bit when scanning the “shelves” for new books. It was just lovely! It begins when beautiful, but damaged, Amanda Parker pulls Mark Callahan, a Chicago mounted policeman, out of the way of a falling L train. She then seeks refuge in an antique shop with Mark’s unconscious form. While waiting for help to arrive, she spots a clock that she feels compelled to purchase because of a bone-deep feeling that she’s seen it before. This clock plays a very big role in the story of Amanda and Mark.

From the time their eyes meet, the two connect; and I’m not talking about some merely physical attraction. It is also definitely NOT a “love at first sight” story as one might think when reading the book’s description. From the moment Mark opens his eyes to discover his rescuer’s gorgeous face, he knows that he cannot let this meeting be his last with Amanda. He pursues her and pursues her hard.

Amanda has come to the grim conclusion that everyone who becomes a part of her life dies. It started with her parents, then a fiance, and she realizes after some time that the profound feeling that she’s suffered even more loss is real and that this is not the first time she’s met Mark. He has the same uncanny sense that he and Amanda are destined to be together; not for those silly, superficial reasons that most of us think of, but because they have BEEN together, and over no short span of time either. He’s steadfast throughout, even when Amanda pushes him away in about 27 different ways for fear of his life ending just like all of the others.

The two finally discuss their strange recurring visions of each other and also of the clock in settings quite unlike their present day lives. They seek out Amanda’s godmother, who is a therapist specializing in reincarnation and the hypnotic, regression-type therapy that is involved in getting the answers that Amanda & Mark are seeking. Amanda is the first to begin her sessions and is an emotional mess throughout. The process of her present and past lives coming together is very grueling and gut wrenching for her, whereas Mark’s experiences only reinforce his determination that he and Amanda are simply meant to be.

This was SUCH a fascinating recounting of the Civil War and subsequently the Chicago Fire. There were also beautiful additions of the author’s own throughout. I was so very impressed with the attention to detail in the historical data presented and in how intricately the process of the regression therapy was explained. Samyann clearly left no stone unturned when doing her research for this book-the depth of detail was stunning.

Although there were many times that I wanted to shake some sense into Amanda and say “can’t you just relax and enjoy this glorious man who wants you no matter what?!”, I realized that this is a pretty realistic interpretation of how one would probably behave, given her history. But damn….I want a Mark Callahan-everybody needs a Mark Callahan!

I enjoyed this immensely! Thank you, Samyann, for reminding me with this novel to check out more than the YA & Fantasy sections when I’m shopping for books!

Gravity by Tess Gerritsen – Audiobook Review

Audiobook close to eleven hours of listening, narrated by William Dufris. If you are looking for a book based on the movie of the same name, this is not the same story. The movie is regarding space junk  slamming into the space shuttle. This book is the story of a deadly pathogen that has infested the International Space Station.

This is a worthy listen. Tess Gerritsen did a considerable degree of research, or if not, has a terrific imagination. Technical errors will slip right by the average reader (listener), or anyone not schooled in medical science or space station environmental detail.

The lead character is the team doctor, astronaut Emma Watson. Her husband has washed out of the astronaut program due to a minor health issue and has the typical male reaction … they’re in the process of divorce. In an effort to make the space station profitable, NASA is providing zero gravity experimental expertise to private companies. Astronauts conduct and monitor experiments in close collaboration with these companies and their scientists. One such project goes horribly wrong. Is this an accident, terrorism, a personal vendetta? Under the threat of a world pandemic and space station employees becoming infected, NASA fights not only the pathogen, but the United States military. From 19,000 feet below the ocean surface to orbiting the earth 250 miles above, thrills abound. Nice tension, unexpected events. Lots of goo and gore.  Thus is the thrust of Gravity.

Very little profanity, always appropriately timed. No gratuitous sex scenes, a clean read.

Dufris is an excellent narrator. Great job with male and female voices alike.

Don’t hesitate to provide as a gift. Stayed up too late! Enjoy.