Harmony Kent's Blog, page 19
September 28, 2022
#BookReview: Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood @_franlittlewood @MichaelJBooks @NetGalley
Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for debut author Fran Littlewood. I received a free Advanced Review Copy of this book from NetGalley >>>
About the Book:
Grace Adams is one bad day away from saving her life . . .
‘Sometimes I have so much rage it scares me . . .’
One hot summer day, stuck in traffic on her way to pick up the cake for her daughter’s sixteenth birthday party, Grace Adams snaps.
She doesn’t scream or break something or cry or curl into a ball. She simply abandons her car in traffic and walks away.
But not from her life – towards it. To the daughter who won’t live with her anymore and has banned her from the party. To the husband divorcing her. Towards the terrible thing that has blown their family apart . . .
Today she’ll show her daughter that no matter how far we fall we can always get back up again. Because Grace Adams wasamazing. Her husband and daughter once thought so. They and the world might have forgotten. But Grace is about to remind them …
Amazing Grace Adams tells the story of a life, a marriage, a family, set against a single north-London day. A rollercoaster ride of redemption and discovery, it’s a powerful celebration of womanhood.
My Review:
A fantastic read!
Many thanks to NetGalley, and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for a free ARC of this book.
First up, I have to say how amazed I am that this is a debut novel. I cannot wait to see what this author writes next. Amazing Grace Adams is a powerful, moving, riveting, and wholly believable novel about a woman who feels she has become invisible as she hits perimenopause and both her husband and daughter reject her. As soon as I read the book description, I thought of the movie Falling Down, and—indeed—this film inspired the idea behind this book. However, this story is told in a unique voice and perspective and comes alive in its own brilliant way.
‘Grace is hot. There’s the sun, like boiled breath, on the roof of her car but it’s more than that. This feeling from nowhere that she’s been set on fire from the inside out.’ … this opening line sets up the scene wonderfully, and when Grace ‘breaks’, the tension is delightful.
In many aspects this novel offers a quiet commentary on the sad state of modern society, especially in relation to victim blaming. Happily, it also shows the kindness of strangers—both older and younger, and even a teen boy, which I found incredibly heartening in a time when all the news seems to show us are endless stabbings and assaults. As well as the obvious angst in this story, the reader is also treated to the most wonderful humour and lively dialogue.
If you enjoy reading about love, loss, grief, life’s ironies, family drama, woman power, and ultimate redemption, then you’ll adore this book. Because it takes a deep look at the human condition, this is a novel that people from all walks of life will relate to on some level. If I could, I’d give ten stars for this amazing story. I can see this becoming a huge hit and definitely a tale made for adaptation to the big screen.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … At the time of posting, I couldn’t find a link for Amazon US. The book is due to publish in the UK on January 19th, 2023.
The post #BookReview: Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood @_franlittlewood @MichaelJBooks @NetGalley first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
Living With Chronic Pain. Part Three: Don’t Give Up on Finding Relief #chronicpain @Vocal_Creators #WritingCommunity #readersoftwitter #ReadingCommunity
Hi everyone. Exciting news today! I’ve written a short, non-fiction piece, on Vocal, about living with chronic pain. This is the third article in a planned a series of pieces on the many aspects of living with long term pain. The article is around 1,300 words long.
I’d love to know what you think! And would be delighted if you could read my post HERE and leave a like and a comment. To like and comment, you’ll need to sign in to Vocal, which is free to do.
Thanks for all your support! Hugs 
September 22, 2022
The Necromancer’s Daughter by D Wallace Peach @Dwallacepeach #NewBook #Fantasy #ReadersOfTwitter #BookReview
Hi everyone! It gives me great pleasure to have one of my favourite authors, fellow blogger, Story Empire contributor, and friend, over to visit today. Even more exciting, is that Diana has a new book out! Woohoo! I’ll let her tell you all about it. And my review is at the bottom of the page. This is one read you do not want to miss! >>>
Hi everyone. Diana here.
Today, I thought I’d share a snippet from Chapter 4 when Barus sees the infant Aster for the first time:
The king stumbled from the bedchamber, and the tension in the room eased into solemn tranquility as the midwives and physician concentrated on their tasks. The woman holding the dead infant placed the bundle on the end of the bed. Servants gathered for revised instructions, and she meted out their assignments. Not one of them noticed Barus or told him what to do or where to go.
He pushed up his cracked spectacles and left his book on a bench. Drawing in a breath, he stole a quiet step toward the tiny child. The infant’s skin appeared ashen, with petal-thin eyelids and a fringe of wispy lashes almost invisible to the eye. Spider-silk hair, as white as a summer cloud, matted the baby’s head, and her lips curved into a pink bow. A sweet hand curled under her chin like a spring flower yet to bloom.
She was the most exquisite thing Barus had ever beheld.
A gift from the Blessed One.
About the Book:
A healer and dabbler in the dark arts of life and death, Barus is as gnarled as an ancient tree. Forgotten in the chaos of the dying queen’s chamber, he spirits 
away her stillborn infant, and in a hovel at the meadow’s edge, he breathes life into the wisp of a child. He names her Aster for the lea’s white flowers. Raised as his daughter, she learns to heal death.
Then the day arrives when the widowed king, his own life nearing its end, defies the Red Order’s warning. He summons the necromancer’s daughter, his only heir, and for his boldness, he falls to an assassin’s blade.
While Barus hides from the Order’s soldiers, Aster leads their masters beyond the wall into the Forest of Silvern Cats, a land of dragons and barbarian tribes. She seeks her mother’s people, the powerful rulers of Blackrock, uncertain whether she will find sanctuary or face a gallows’ noose.
Unprepared for a world rife with danger, a world divided by those who practice magic and those who hunt them, she must choose whether to trust the one man offering her aid, the one man most likely to betray her—her enemy’s son.
A healer with the talent to unravel death, a child reborn, a father lusting for vengeance, and a son torn between justice, faith, and love. Caught in a chase spanning kingdoms, each must decide the nature of good and evil, the lengths they will go to survive, and what they are willing to lose.
About the Author:
A long-time reader, best-selling author D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life when years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books. She was instantly hooked.
In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of thearts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.
Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.
Amazon Author’s Page: https://www.amazon.com/D.-Wallace-Peach/e/B00CLKLXP8
Website/Blog: http://mythsofthemirror.com
Website/Books: http://dwallacepeachbooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dwallacepeach
Purchase Links:
Amazon Links:
US: https://www.amazon.com/Necromancers-Daughter-D-Wallace-Peach-ebook/dp/B0B92G7QZX
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Necromancers-Daughter-D-Wallace-Peach-ebook/dp/B0B92G7QZX
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Necromancers-Daughter-D-Wallace-Peach-ebook/dp/B0B92G7QZX
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Necromancers-Daughter-D-Wallace-Peach/dp/B0B9FY6YZJ
IN: https://www.amazon.in/Necromancers-Daughter-D-Wallace-Peach-ebook/dp/B0B92G7QZX
My Review:
Good and evil aren’t what they seem
Having read this author before, I preordered my copy of The Necromancer’s Daughter as soon as it came on sale. I wasn’t disappointed!
‘Barus wrinkled his nose at the poison’s fetid stench, and his stomach bubbled into the hollow of his throat.’ … from this pungent opening line, which certainly engages the reader’s senses, the reader is—as promised—treated to ‘… an epic tale of compassion and deep abiding love where good and evil aren’t what they seem.’
I fell in love with the characters immediately and felt for them in their ever more desperate plights. The author did a fantastic job of world building, as well as hooking the reader with the people, plot, and pacing. I admire and applaud how the author took attributes usually seen as negative—ugly, deformed appearance and the practice of necromancy—and turned them into something beautiful and worthy. I loathed the hateful characters and believed in this magical world fully with no suspension of disbelief needed, as the writer did such a superb job in presenting this story as real and true to life despite its many differences.
As ever from D Wallace Peach, the narrative and prose is beautifully descriptive and evocative … poetry in sentence form. Here are some lines that stood out for me …
‘Behind the wind, a voice called, a lost sound like the hoot of a faraway owl.’
And …
(A long history in a few, succinct words) ‘… since she’d rescued his malformed and abandoned body from the woods and carried him home.’
And …
‘ … a tragic last step in a journey of blindness, of unforgiving guilt and blame, of a rigid perception of faith.’
I could go on. So difficult to choose from so many wonderful words. This is one of those reads I didn’t ever want to finish because it was so good! As you may have guessed, The Necromancer’s Daughter gets a resounding 5 stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
September 21, 2022
#BookReview: Sorrow’s Forest by Kaitlin Corvus @KaitlinCorvus
Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author I first discovered back in March this year. I enjoyed her book so much, I jumped at the chance of a free ARC copy from the writer: Kaitlin Corvus >>>
About the Book:At twelve years old, Mackie King had done something no one had ever done before: he had snuck into the forest, where Queen Sorrow reigned and had unintentionally stolen one of her devils while she slept in a death-like sleep.
In as little as an hour, the devil named himself Blue, fit almost seamlessly into the Kings’ life, and the Township of Lakeview.
Now, Mackie and Blue are grown, Queen Sorrow has awakened, and she wants her devil back.
In a fit of uncontrolled rage and desperateness, she snatches any that match Blue’s likeness. When their identities are revealed, she ruthlessly casts the bodies aside. Each murder is met with the town’s hopeless ignorance. A dark enchantment is sweeping over the land, dulling the minds of the townspeople to the supernatural violence.
Mackie has always been resourceful, but it will take every bit of ingenuity he and Blue have to thwart Queen Sorrow and her minions, save the town, and free themselves from the shadow of the bittering forest.
My Review:
A fun, dark urban fantasy
“Life is full of hard truths and soft lies.” … from this intriguing opening line, the reader is propelled straight into the weird world of Lakeview and Sorrow’s Forest. Magic and mayhem abound in this wonderful urban fantasy, as does an all-pervasive evil, which leaks out of the forest and claims victims on a regular basis. Nobody in Lakeview ever discusses such things or questions. As the book progresses, the reasons for this become apparent. And the forest residents are not above using a bit of glamour here and there.
On a dare, Mackie enters the forest as a teen. His mates all run. In the forest, he comes across Blue and takes him home. At the door, he expects his mother to ask who his new friend is, but she blinks and responds as though he’s always lived with them. From there, we jump three years without any warning, and it’s left to the reader to work this out as the next chapter unfolds.
The narrative contains violence and bullying, as well as smoking and drinking, and graphic male/male sex scenes. I connected with the two main characters, and the supporting cast did a good job too. The world building was done well, and I found it easy to believe in it. The plot and pacing also felt good, and this read kept my attention throughout. Some of the narrative is passive and too full of filter words such as, ‘he wonders if’ and ‘he can hear’ and ‘start’ and ‘just’ etc. At the same time, the author has written some fantastic lines, which I share below …
‘The dark has never scared him. What lies in it does.’
And …
‘His legs feel half-numb. He uses the half that’s not to run.’
And …
‘Suddenly, she’s a paper bag left too long in a storm, sagging, and threatening to fall apart.’
The formatting is done beautifully, with varying images at the chapter starts. All in all, I enjoyed this read immensely. It gets 4 solid stars from me. I will be reading more of this author for certain.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by
You can find my February review of Nighthawks HERE.
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
The post #BookReview: Sorrow’s Forest by Kaitlin Corvus @KaitlinCorvus first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
September 14, 2022
#BookReview: Leech by Hiron Ennes @HironEnnes @panmacmillan @NetGalley
Hi everyone! Today, I have a review for a book from an author new to me, Hiron Ennes. This is a different kind of read for sure, and I picked it up via NetGalley >>>
About the Book:
MEET THE CURE FOR THE HUMAN DISEASE
In an isolated chateau, as far north as north goes, the baron’s doctor has died. The doctor’s replacement has a mystery to solve: discovering how the Institute lost track of one of its many bodies.
For hundreds of years the Interprovincial Medical Institute has grown by taking root in young minds and shaping them into doctors, replacing every human practitioner of medicine. The Institute is here to help humanity, to cure and to cut, to cradle and protect the species from the apocalyptic horrors their ancestors unleashed.
In the frozen north, the Institute’s body will discover a competitor for its rung at the top of the evolutionary ladder. A parasite is spreading through the baron’s castle, already a dark pit of secrets, lies, violence, and fear. The two will make war on the battlefield of the body. Whichever wins, humanity will lose again.
My Review:
An Unusual and Gothic Horror Read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for this Advanced Review Copy.
I haven’t ever read a book quite like this, I don’t think. The main character is a parasite with hosts throughout numerous human bodies, across what remains of the known world, and who has memories and experiences spanning centuries.
“The sight of this old train car saddens me, though I cannot quite articulate why.” … from this opening line, we meet the new ‘institute doctor’ [AKA parasite] on their way to replace the old one, who’s just died at a remote chateau. Quite quickly, things get weird and intriguing. Completely out of the parasite’s experience, he/she/it cannot remember huge chunks of the ‘doctor’s’ last days at the chateau. And that’s only the beginning of the strangeness. It turns out another pathogen is on the loose, and it becomes a race against time for the ‘doctor’ to identify, find, and neutralise this threat, which seems able to disconnect the ‘institute parasite’ from its host[s]. All clear enough so far?
I don’t know in what genre I would place this, and other reviewers call it ‘Gothic Horror’, which seems as apt as any, so I’ll choose that too. First up, this book needs trigger warnings for content. As the story progresses, the reader will come across: dysphoria, child sexual abuse, blood & gore depiction, medical experimentation, and arson, etc. The chateau and its baron are awful, to put it lightly. So, at times, this makes for heavy reading. The narrative also has its light moments with a wonderful sense of humour throughout. The story is both chilling and morally complex, and from that perspective, incredibly well written. Here are some lines I loved …
“He lied so well even he didn’t know it.”
And …
“Fortunately, he is not the kind of man who explodes. He only simmers and melts.”
And …
“… she knew never to look in a mirror in that place, lest her reflection move without her.”
Near the end, we have a lovely line which rounds off wonderfully to where we started on the train … hint: it’s about a pair of institute gloves. I don’t want to put in spoilers, so I’ll say no more here. Sadly, the ending fizzled out somewhat, after so much struggle and pain and perseverance, and the reader doesn’t get to learn whether or not the surviving characters make it. This felt like a let down for me. So, all in all, I found this an enjoyable read–if confusing at times–but one that didn’t satisfy in the closing. The book contains some wonderful lines and descriptions, and tackles difficult topics, with vivid and real-to-life characters and fantastic world-building. For certain, I found it compelling and had to keep going. It gets a soft four stars from me. If you enjoy something a bit different, then this might be the book for you.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
The post #BookReview: Leech by Hiron Ennes @HironEnnes @panmacmillan @NetGalley first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.September 12, 2022
The Haunting of Chatham Hollow by Mae Clair and Staci Troilo @MaeClair1 @stacitroilo #NewBook #Horror #Supernatural #OccultHorror #ReadersOfTwitter #BookReview
Hi everyone! It gives me great pleasure to showcase a book written by not just one but TWO of my favourite authors, fellow bloggers, Story Empire contributors, and friends, Mae Clair and Staci Troilo. Woohoo! I have Staci over to visit today to tell you all about it. And my review is at the bottom of the page. This is one read you do not want to miss! >>>
Ciao, amici! Harmony, thanks for hosting me today. [You’re so welcome!]
I’m so happy to be here and so excited to tell you and your readers about The Haunting of Chatham Hollow, a dual-timeline novel I co-wrote with talented author, Story Empire colleague, and long-time friend Mae Clair. This was the first either of us attempted a collaboration, and I have to say, it went beautifully. So well, in fact, I think both of us would be up for a second project sometime in the future.
But now isn’t the time to look forward. It’s time to look into the past. More specifically, 1793 and 1888, the historical periods in the novel. And to the present, where the rest of the mystery unfolds. This story encompasses ghosts, curses, missing treasure, arson, and murder, with a cast of characters whose descendants cross paths continuously throughout the ages. Our short tour will introduce you to a few of the major players via a discussion between one of them and a medium.
Today’s post takes place in the present. The psychic is Julia Hale, a resident of Chatham Hollow and a descendant of famous spiritualist Victor Rowe. The character she’ll be speaking with is Greer Faraday, editor of local paper (The Chatham Hollow Chronicle) and her grandson’s boss.
Without further ado…
•◊
◊•·
◊•·Julia: Have a muffin.
Greer: I’m low carb. And off gluten.
Julia: Almond flour. Low carb and gluten free.
Greer: (grinning and reaching for one) Thanks!
Julia: If only we could get Aiden to eat better.
Greer: Mmm. These are delicious.
Julia: Thank you.
Greer: As for Aiden’s diet, he’s a lost cause.
Julia: Oh, I don’t believe in giving up on anyone.
Greer: That’s a great segue into my interview questions. I understand you’ll be taking the place of Benedict Fletcher at the séance reenactment. Do you think he’s redeemable?
Julia: Well, he’s beyond the Veil now, so I couldn’t say. But we could try contacting him, if you’d like.
Greer: Here? Now?
Julia: Why not?
Greer: I don’t know. I thought you’d need a dark room, candles…
Julia: (laughing) Spectacle. If you and I are in the right frame of mind, it can be done anywhere.
Greer: Fascinating.
Julia: Should we try?
Greer: Tempting, but I don’t have time for that today. Raincheck?
Julia: Absolutely. I guess you don’t have time for a reading, either.
Greer: Uh… how long would that take?
Julia: A few minutes. Are you right-handed?
Greer: Yes.
Julia: Give me your left hand.
Greer: (extends her arm across the table) You read palms, too?
Julia: And tea leaves. Actually, my preference is tea. That’s why I make my own. But this will do in a pinch.
Greer: What do you see?
Julia: Hmm. Small breaks in your heart line.
Greer: (eyes widen) Does that mean I’m going to have a heart attack? My job is stressful, but I think I manage things pretty well.
Julia: Don’t fret. It suggests emotional damage in your past.
Greer: Oh.
Julia: But your fate line… It breaks and curves in different directions. Have you had a major tragedy in your life?
Greer: (snatches her hand away) I’m sorry. I totally forgot a staff meeting. I have to go. Can we reschedule our interview?
Julia: I didn’t mean to pry, dear.
Greer: Oh, no. It’s not that. I just… Thanks for the tea and muffin. I’ll call to set up another meeting. (bolts out the back door)
•◊◊•·
◊•·
Blurb:
One founding father.
One deathbed curse.
A town haunted for generations.
Ward Chatham, founder of Chatham Hollow, is infamous for two things—hidden treasure and a curse upon anyone bold enough to seek it. Since his passing in 1793, no one has discovered his riches, though his legend has only grown stronger.
In 1888, charlatan Benedict Fletcher holds a séance to determine the location of Chatham’s fortune. It’s all a hoax so he can search for the gold, but he doesn’t count on two things—Victor Rowe, a true spiritualist who sees through his ruse, and Chatham’s ghost wreaking havoc on the town.
More than a century later, the citizens of the Hollow gather for the annual Founder’s Day celebration. A paranormal research team intends to film a special at Chatham Manor, where the original séance will be reenacted. Reporter and skeptic Aiden Hale resents being assigned the story, but even he can’t deny the sudden outbreak of strange happenings. When he sets out to discover who or what is threatening the Hollow—supernatural or not— his investigation uncovers decades-old conflicts, bitter rivalries, and ruthless murders.
This time, solving the mystery isn’t about meeting his deadline. It’s about not ending up dead.
•◊
◊•·Thanks again, Harmony, for hosting me today. I hope this little exchange gives you and your followers a bit more insight into Greer Faraday, editor extraordinaire with a mysterious (and painful) past. I hope you’ll all consider reading the story to uncover her secrets. The answer to her mystery, and many more, can be found in The Haunting of Chatham Hollow. Mae and I truly appreciate your support. Grazie!
•◊◊•·
Connect with Staci:
Website | Blog | Social Media | Newsletter
Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads
Connect with Mae:
Amazon| BookBub| Newsletter Sign-Up
Website | Blog| Twitter| Goodreads| All Social Media
My Review:
Grabbed me by the throat right away and wouldn’t let go
‘”Uncle?” | Peggy Chatham pressed a cool compress to the forehead of the man lying in bed. Ward Chatham’s cheeks held little color despite the fever ravaging his body.’ … from this opening death scene, the writers take the reader straight into mystery, intrigue, the supernatural, and thrills galore.
The story is told via two main time frames, and any shifts are marked clearly and are easy to follow. I found the shifts between historical and current time seamless, and the research for the period parts is excellently translated to the fictional page. I loved the world-building, the characterisation, the plot, and the pacing. Not to mention some wonderful lines of prose and a fantastic sense of humour threading throughout …
‘He must have walked under a ladder. Broken a few mirrors. Kicked a black cat or thirteen.’
And …
‘Sorry. I haven’t had enough coffee to lie convincingly.’
And …
‘Fletcher spoke in a light tenor, his voice jovial, as if he kept a sly secret tucked in his cheek.’
And …
‘No point in poking the insomniac bear.’
I could go on, but I’m sure you get the idea. This is a riveting supernatural read with all the bells and whistles you’d expect, and a few more besides. The Haunting of Chatham Hollow gets a resounding five stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
The post The Haunting of Chatham Hollow by Mae Clair and Staci Troilo @MaeClair1 @stacitroilo #NewBook #Horror #Supernatural #OccultHorror #ReadersOfTwitter #BookReview first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
September 11, 2022
Elsa: Ode to a Best Friend @Vocal_Creators #Poem challenge #WritingCommunity #poetsoftwitter #poetry
Elsa: Ode to a Best Friend
Photo by Rebecca Campbell on UnsplashHi everyone. I’ve written a poem for Vocal’s 24/7 Companion Challenge.
You can find my poem HERE.
I’d love to know what you think! And I would be delighted if you could read and heart. To heart and/or comment, you’ll need to sign in to Vocal, which is free to do.
In other, fantastic, news … my first chapter short story submission for the New Worlds challenge, Prime Directive, placed as a Runner Up! 
I’m so thrilled! 
If you’d like to read it, you can find it HERE.
Thanks for all your support! Hugs
September 7, 2022
#BookReview: 4d6f6279 4469636b or, “The Dhale” by Kim Aaron @AlsokimA @bookroar_tweets
Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author new to me, Kim Aaron, who I discovered via BookRoar >>>
About the Book:Humanity has spread itself out into the stars a century after an attack by the Dhale, a robotic alien race that almost destroyed humanity. In a final, colossal battle, the enemy forces were broken, sent scattered and retreating in every direction. Now these hunters have become the prey. Although they are still incredibly dangerous, Dhale weapons, alloys, and technology have become an important part of the human economy, especially on Earth. So, fearless human crews in specialized ships, hoping to make their fortune, throw themselves into harm’s way in order to find, break, and strip these enemy ships of their valuable parts. A crewmember of one of these ships, Lameshi, describes his experiences during one especially harrowing mission, spending months under the control of a mad captain bent on revenge against a machine. As the hunt brings the final battle closer, Lameshi learns the futility and horror of one mad captain’s battle against reality.
My Review:
A sci-fi epic retelling of Moby Dick
“… while ago, doesn’t matter how long, I was broke and had nothing to do planetside, so I thought I might take to the stars and see the off-planet part of the universe again. It’s how I lift my spirits.” […] “especially when it takes all I have to stop myself from crossing the street and methodically punching people in the face…I know it’s time for me to get to space double-quick.” … these opening sentences introduce the reader to Lameshi, the narrator but interestingly, not actually the main character. Captain Haab (an anagram of Ahab from the original Moby Dick) is the centre of the tale but told from a new and lowly crew-member’s perspective. Which is a shame, as I loved the characterisation of Lameshi, and by the end of the book, this person had little to do with anything.
The author did a fantastic job of bringing each and every character to life, and the world-building and science fiction were superb. I give a resounding five stars for this aspect of the book. Also for showing the depths and complexities of the captain’s madness and feverish need for revenge upon the “White Dhale” AI enemy space-craft/hunter/intelligence, which killed Haab’s wife and destroyed their colony as well as Haab’s original Dhaling space ship. Dhaling space ships are basically the space version of whaling ships, but hunting the Dhale instead of Whales. This sci-fi version of 19th-century whaling made into a space-based hunting-down of extraterrestrial-AIs raises the stakes to astronomical levels (if you’ll pardon me the pun!) and lifts it to humanity-ending stakes if the Dhale win.
Unfortunately, a lack of editing and proofreading let down the book quite a bit, as did the lengthy sections of monologue from the mad captain, which–while true to the original classic–failed to work for me here in this modern take. Such basic errors as “phased” for “fazed”, “hanger” for “hangar”, “line-of-site” for “line-of-sight”, and “route” for “rout”, etc., pulled me out of the story time and again. The same with unnecessary phrases such as “thought to himself” and “began to”, etc. Having said this, the author also came up with some wonderful lines …
“Don’t be silly. No one ever saves a life. At best, we might temporarily prolong it.”
And …
“Just a small circle of face, but the eyes give it all away.”
And …
“Her voice was so thick with derision I wondered how it didn’t dribble down her chin.”
And …
“Her head rose and her eyes found mine, but she was light years away. It was like standing before a ghost.”
The story also includes diverse characters who identify as non-binary, LGBTQIA characters, and addresses climate and political issues which plague a damaged future Earth, which all make this book inclusive without preaching or shoving current-world issues down the reader’s throat. All in all, I enjoyed this epic sci-fi read, and with some polishing this book would earn an easy five stars. As it is, I give The Dhale by Kim Aaron 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for rating purposes. If you enjoy sci-fi and/or space opera, then I would say definitely give this book a read!
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
The post #BookReview: 4d6f6279 4469636b or, “The Dhale” by Kim Aaron @AlsokimA @bookroar_tweets first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
August 31, 2022
#BookReview: Born for the Game by Mike DeLucia @mdeluciabooks @bookroar_tweets
Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author new to me, Mike DeLucia, but one I’ll be reading every book of from now on >>>
About the Book:What do a 4 foot 5 inch eccentric billionaire, a Japanese karate master, and a rogue Hall of Fame pitcher have in common? They create the greatest baseball player of all time … And her name is Ryan.
Multi-award-winning author Mike DeLucia is back with new and exciting characters, and a story about the pursuit of dreams, love, betrayal, and how choices drive our life’s journey.
Phineas Stone’s life as a dwarf and a product of the foster-care system mold his dogged determination to rise above his meager circumstances and build a financial empire. But even his magnificent wealth and influence cannot buy his lifelong dream of playing baseball for his beloved Los Angeles Greyhounds.
Together with Rollie Rollins, a former Major League knuckleballer with a penchant for mischief, and his longtime friend, Ito Hachi, Phineas effects a brilliant, yet unorthodox plan of creating an elite athlete under a veil of secrecy and pretense.
The characters in this story are driven by their dreams, but ultimately realize that chasing them brings with it the possibilities of both rapture or insufferable tragedy.
My Review:
A wonderful read!
I’ve never read this author before, and I’ll be sure to take a look at his other books. I enjoyed Born for the Game immensely.
“A speeding red Ferrari weaves recklessly around moving cars on a Los Angeles freeway at dawn.” … from this attention-grabbing opening line, the reader is taken back and forth in time to a handful of characters, who over the course of nineteen years, make history.
This book is so much more than sports fiction, and it is writing at some of its best. I don’t know the game of baseball, but that made no difference whatsoever to my enjoyment of this read. The author did a superb job of pulling me in to the tension and excitement and offered enough context that I never felt like a lost novice. Indeed, I was even able to follow along for the vast majority of the game scenes.
The world building, scene setting, and characterisation were all written excellently, and it made no difference if we were in the head of a rich or poor American, or a Japanese master of martial arts … they all felt real and alive. The chapters are short and concise and contain everything a scene should deliver. Some great issues and questions are raised in this fabulous short read. Things like free will, greed and jealousy, choosing how we react to things we cannot change, what forgiveness actually means, and the power of intelligent perseverance, commitment, and focus in order to achieve one’s goals and dreams.
Born for the Game by Mike DeLucia gets a resounding, foot-pounding, fist-pumping five stars from me. I wish the rating system would let me give it give it more! If not for having to pay dear hubby a teensy bit of attention (wink, wink), I would have read this amazing book in one sitting. Go and grab your copy now!
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
The post #BookReview: Born for the Game by Mike DeLucia @mdeluciabooks @bookroar_tweets first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
August 27, 2022
Website host changes and apologies for disruption @TerryTyler4 @BeemWeeks
Hi everyone! 
I hope you’re having a good weekend. Recently, I’ve had to change my website host server away from NameCheap, who caused me so many problems and, basically, took money from me they shouldn’t have, and have moved to Hostinger. The delay in NameCheap moving the where DNS pointed has meant that I’ve lost the blog post that pointed to Beem Weeks’s wonderful review for Life & Soul … so if you didn’t see that already, you can find it HERE. And for all of you who visited and commented and shared, a huge thank you!
I need to apologise to Terry Tyler because all but three of the wonderful comments that all you fantastic folks posted on my book review page for her book, Where There’s Doubt, didn’t survive the migration. And I don’t know how to retrieve them from the old servers and add them here. I am so sorry! Terry couldn’t reply to you all right away due to being away from home, and now most of those comments have gone. Please know, that Terry was absolutely thrilled with all the love she received! A few comments on other posts died too, and I apologise for that as well.
Finally, the latest comments plugin I tried using proved unhelpful for many of you, so I have reverted back to the WordPress comments box. Unfortunately, Jetpack won’t let me update the settings to allow you to comment by logging in with Twitter, Facebook, etc., and you will have to keep on inputting your name and email for every comment. Again, I am so sorry about this, and have tried for all of this year to get this sorted. All to no avail. I’ll keep banging my head against this one, I promise.
That’s it from me. Over the next days and weeks, I’ll be attempting to update some of my site now I’ve migrated, and I hope I can keep it running as smoothly as possible for you all. Have a lovely weekend. Hugs
