Harmony Kent's Blog, page 34

#BookReview: The Midnight Lock by Jeffery Deaver @JefferyDeaver @HarperCollins

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author I came across via a NetGalley, Jeffery Deaver >>>

About the Book:

When a woman arrives home to her Manhattan apartment to find that her personal items have been rearranged while she slept, police initially dismiss her complaint. Nothing was stolen, and there’s no sign of breaking and entering. But when the same woman turns up dead, Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are brought in to investigate the murder. The soon learn that the murderer calls himself “the Locksmith.” He is obsessed with locks, slipping into homes in the dead of night and tying his victims up with knots or locks, ultimately strangling them.

Their hunt for the killer is interrupted when an internal investigation in the police force uncovers what seems to be a crucial mistake in one of Rhyme’s previous cases. He is removed from the case, and must investigate the Locksmith in secret to untangle the mysteries behind the psychotic killer before he can set his ultimate trap.

My Review:

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this Advanced Review Copy.

I came across this book on NetGalley, and the cover and description immediately grabbed my attention. And, woah, what a ride! Imagine waking in the morning, a little hungover and initially disoriented. Your feet grope for your slippers, but they’re not where they should be. Not where you ALWAYS keep them. Then it dawns on you that your phone isn’t on the bedside table where you left it charging. It only gets worse from there. Especially when you come to understand that your door is locked and both deadbolts engaged … is an intruder in here with you?

‘Something wasn’t right. Annabelle Talese, though, couldn’t quite figure out what that might be.’ From this intriguing opening line the story grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let you breathe much right up until the end. The plot, pacing, characterisation, and world building are all done excellently. With many twists and turns this book will keep you guessing. By the halfway point it had fooled me into believing I knew the culprit. I can’t say more because I don’t want to put in spoilers. All I will say is this is a great whodunnit with plenty of red herrings and plants.

Here are a couple of lines I loved …

‘She paused every so often to listen for the sound of footsteps, the sound of a breath, the sound of an unhappy board under shoes.’

And …

‘Disabled is a continuum. We each have a spot on that vast bandwidth. It’s what we do with our unique frequency that counts.’

I could add more but prefer to let you see for yourself. This is a MUST-READ BOOK. Jeffery Deaver has become one of my favourite authors this year. The Midnight Lock gets a resounding 5 stars from me. I’d give it 10 if I could. Go and buy this book!

***

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/

 

#TANKATUESDAY Weekly #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 244 #EKPHRASTIC #PHOTOPROMPT #Haiku @ColleenChesebro

Hi everyone! Today, I’ve joined Colleen’s weekly TankaTuesday challenge for the first time. You can find her post HERE.

Below is the image prompt and my Haiku response in a 3-5-3 syllabic format.

Cold dark night

on the bereaved soul

moon shines hope

Harmony’s #Poetry showcase via @Bakeandwrite @GodsAngel1

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to be showcased as Robbie Cheadle’s guest poet on Writing to be aread (https://writingtoberead.com/2021/09/18/treasuring-poetry-meet-poet-and-author-harmony-kent-and-my-review/) today!

I’d love if you could pop over and leave some love.

#BookReview: Torn Veil by Gregory R Marshall @bookroar_tweets

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author I came across via a book review site. I haven’t read Gregory R Marshall before and didn’t know what to expect >>>

About the Book:

Gifted MIT graduate Nick Thomas has invented an engine that can end human dependence on fossil fuels. His abduction by energy conglomerate Warren Enterprises leads to a series of revelations about power, religion, and the fate of the American soul. Told through rotating perspectives, the novel follows characters on both sides of the conflict. Nick is tested by a sinister presence that seems to have an intimate knowledge of his hopes and fears. While investigating his disappearance, his girlfriend Veronica discovers dark secrets lurking beyond the comfortable façade of Westchester, New York—secrets that shake the core of her identity.

My Review:

I came across this author via a book review site. I haven’t read any of Gregory R Marshall’s books until now and had no idea what to expect. The cover, book description, and story premise all pulled me in.

As the description promises, this story takes the reader on a wild and dark ride beyond the veil. With back-and-forth timelines and multiple character points of view, the reader finds themselves with a foot both in this world and a much more sinister one behind the veil that once separated each realm.

Unfortunately, errors and spelling mistakes and clumsily written sentences abound and let this read down a lot. The text needs a thorough overhaul by a trained eye. Otherwise, with the well written characters, plot, pacing, and world building, it would earn an easy five stars. Which redeemed this book for me and made it a compelling read in spite of the unpolished presentation.

Here are a couple of lines I liked …

‘Useless streetlights hung their heads in shame to the right, like failed sentries.’

And …

‘She was numb, a doll made with real black magic. Batteries not included.’

I enjoyed this read enough to ignore (mostly) the many issues, which says a lot for the story and the writer’s imagination and knowledge. I give this read 3.5 stars and round up to a soft 4 for rating purposes. If you enjoy a supernatural, futuristic, and sci-fi read, you’ll enjoy this book.

***

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/

 

#BookReview: Megacity: Operation Galton book 3 by Terry Tyler @TerryTyler4

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for a favourite author of mine, Terry Tyler. I’ve enjoyed every book of this writer’s that I’ve read so far >>>

About the Book:

The UK’s new megacities: contented citizens relieved of the financial burden of home ownership, living in eco-friendly communities. Total surveillance has all but wiped out crime, and biometric sensor implants detect illness before symptoms are apparent.

That’s the hype. Scratch the surface, and darker stories emerge.

Tara is offered the chance to become a princess amongst media influencers—as long as she keeps quiet and does as she’s told.

Aileen uproots to the megacity with some reluctance, but none of her misgivings prepare her for the situation she will face: a mother’s worst nightmare.

Radar has survived gang rule in group homes for the homeless, prison and bereavement, and jumps at the chance to live a ‘normal’ life. But at what cost?

For all three, the price of living in a megacity may prove too high.

Megacity is the third and final book in the dystopian Operation Galton trilogy, and is Terry Tyler’s twenty-third publication.

‘As long as some of us refuse to live as they demand, we are not yet beaten. That’s how we do it. That’s how we win.’

 

My Review:

I’ve enjoyed the whole Operation Galton series immensely. But, then, I’ve enjoyed every one of Terry Tyler’s books that I’ve read so far.

I found the brief recaps of books 1 and 2 useful because it’s a while since I read those. Also, it was a nice touch that a link to chapter one was provided after the recaps.

This third and final book wrapped up the series nicely and tied off the many threads. The narrative is told from multiple points of view and switches seamlessly between each character. The plot, pacing, and world building were excellently written.

Here are a few lines that impressed me …

‘The man with the kind eyes said, “Run. Now.” So I ran. I understood Mum and Shane’s world, so I didn’t hesitate. You can’t leave witnesses. Not even one who is only eight years old.’

And …

‘ ‘Anything’ had happened now, so I could stop being scared that it was going to.’

And …

‘My skin was crawling so badly it was practically out of the door …’

Operation Galton gives us a too-believable look into the near future. Read this series at your peril … if you dare! Magacity gets a resounding 4 stars from me, which means I’d pull an all-nighter. See my notes on ratings below …

***

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/

 

#BookReview: Magacity: Operation Galton book 3 by Terry Tyler @TerryTyler4

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for a favourite author of mine, Terry Tyler. I’ve enjoyed every book of this writer’s that I’ve read so far >>>

About the Book:

The UK’s new megacities: contented citizens relieved of the financial burden of home ownership, living in eco-friendly communities. Total surveillance has all but wiped out crime, and biometric sensor implants detect illness before symptoms are apparent.

That’s the hype. Scratch the surface, and darker stories emerge.

Tara is offered the chance to become a princess amongst media influencers—as long as she keeps quiet and does as she’s told.

Aileen uproots to the megacity with some reluctance, but none of her misgivings prepare her for the situation she will face: a mother’s worst nightmare.

Radar has survived gang rule in group homes for the homeless, prison and bereavement, and jumps at the chance to live a ‘normal’ life. But at what cost?

For all three, the price of living in a megacity may prove too high.

Megacity is the third and final book in the dystopian Operation Galton trilogy, and is Terry Tyler’s twenty-third publication.

‘As long as some of us refuse to live as they demand, we are not yet beaten. That’s how we do it. That’s how we win.’

 

My Review:

I’ve enjoyed the whole Operation Galton series immensely. But, then, I’ve enjoyed every one of Terry Tyler’s books that I’ve read so far.

I found the brief recaps of books 1 and 2 useful because it’s a while since I read those. Also, it was a nice touch that a link to chapter one was provided after the recaps.

This third and final book wrapped up the series nicely and tied off the many threads. The narrative is told from multiple points of view and switches seamlessly between each character. The plot, pacing, and world building were excellently written.

Here are a few lines that impressed me …

‘The man with the kind eyes said, “Run. Now.” So I ran. I understood Mum and Shane’s world, so I didn’t hesitate. You can’t leave witnesses. Not even one who is only eight years old.’

And …

‘ ‘Anything’ had happened now, so I could stop being scared that it was going to.’

And …

‘My skin was crawling so badly it was practically out of the door …’

Operation Galton gives us a too-believable look into the near future. Read this series at your peril … if you dare! Magacity gets a resounding 4 stars from me, which means I’d pull an all-nighter. See my notes on ratings below …

***

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/

 

Harmony is Vocal again! Top Story! @Vocal_Creators #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity

Hi everyone. Exciting news today! My poem on writing platform Vocal has been chosen as a Top Story! This is Home To Me, a 200 (ish) word poem, is entered in a Homecoming competition.
I’d love to know what you think! And would be delighted if you could read my competition entry HERE and leave a like. To like, you’ll need to sign in to Vocal, which is free to do. In the event of a tiebreaker, all reads and likes will be taken into account. Your support would be gratefully received.  I’m super buzzed at being placed in Top Stories and am doing my happy dance

Thanks, everyone! Hugs

 

 

#BookReview: Crazy in Love: The Hunt Begins by Avionne Celestin @AvionneC @bookroar_tweets

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author I discovered via a book review site. I haven’t read any books by Avionne Celestin until now and didn’t know what to expect >>>

About the Book:

Real estate mogul Christian Hunt has been released on probation under the stipulation he attend eight months of anger management therapy. Jessica Gold is the psychiatrist he has sought out for his sessions, although he has made it clear that he has no interest in discussing the issues that brought him to her office.

The sizzling attraction that develops between these two broken petals soon blossoms into a dark and obsessive love that will not allow anything or anyone to stand in its way, and things take a deadly turn after that love is unexpectedly threatened.

 

My Review:

A dark and steamy read!

I came across this book via a review site and read Crazy in Love via my Kindle Unlimited subscription. I haven’t read anything from this author before, so didn’t know what to expect. The pace sets off at a gallop and stays there throughout the novel.

With this book, you not only get incredibly explicit erotic scenes but also murder and a close look at the darkness that lurks deep within the human psyche.

Until psychiatrist Jessica took on rich-guy client Christian, her life was run-of-the-mill boring and lonely. The book opens five months into their court-mandated weekly sessions, and this so-called professional therapist leaps recklessly down the proverbial rabbit hole. A whole load of raunchy hotness follows. While the sex scenes were well written, I felt the sheer amount was overwhelming and could be cut in half, which would make them more effective. Because of the many, many, many continuous erotic scenes, the eventual action was a long time in coming (no pun intended!).

The latter half of the book takes a decidedly dark and violent turn. The writing could do with polishing due to over use of filler words (knew, heard, felt, saw, etc.) and overly descriptive dialogue tags that either tell what’s just been shown (she agreed, he quipped, teased, etc.) or are a physical impossibility for human beings in speech (gurgled, cooed, grated, etc.) when a simple ‘said’ would suffice.

All in all an enjoyable enough read. Crazy in Love gets a solid 3 stars from me. If you like erotica and action, you’ll enjoy this easy 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/

 

#BookReview: Cold Dark Night by Joan Hall @JoanHallWrites

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author and friend and fellow Story Empire contributor, and whose writing I always enjoy, Joan Hall >>>

About the Book:

 

New husband, new house, new town… and a new mystery to solve.

Tami Montgomery thought her police chief husband was going to be the only investigator in the family when she gave up her journalism career and moved with him to Madeira, New Mexico.

But after the historical society asks her to write stories for a book celebrating the town’s one-hundred fiftieth year, she becomes embroiled in a new mystery. If she can’t solve this one, she could lose everything. Her research uncovers a spate of untimely deaths of local law enforcement officials. Further digging reveals a common link—they all lived in the house she and Jason now share.

Tami isn’t a superstitious person, but the circumstances are too similar for coincidence. Then she unearths an even more disturbing pattern. And if history repeats itself, Jason will be the next to die.

My Review:

After reading the prequel to this series, House of Sorrow, I grabbed a copy of Cold Dark Night as soon as it released. Sadly, it’s taken me a wee while to find the time to read it. If not for the demands of hubby and sleep (lols), I would have finished this wonderful tale in one sitting. I love this author’s books.

The story opens in the 1800s and then switches to the present day, where most of the narrative and mystery unfold. Shortly after moving to Madeira, Tammy joins the local historical society, while her husband takes up his new position of town police chief. All too soon, Tammi discovers murders going back centuries that, somehow, seem deeply and disturbingly connected. Worse still, their new home may have played a part in the demises of the many prior police chiefs who’d lived there before meeting untimely deaths. Coupled with folklore around the periodic absence of a full moon in February, and the timing of the deaths, Tammi finds herself with more questions than answers and soon fears for the safety of her husband and herself.

Alongside this spooky narrative, we meet the kind of character I REALLY love to hate, Vivian Kincaid … the mayor’s wife, who thinks far too highly of herself. The author did a great job of making me hate this woman intensely, as well as caring for the other characters deeply.

Here are some lines I loved …

‘Under the right circumstances, we’re all capable of murder.’

And …

‘I could live a life with regrets or choose to be grateful for the time we had.’

Slowly, the timelines draw a picture of foreboding, premonition, intrigue, suspense, lies, deceit, and foul play that will keep you on the edge of your seat and trying to guess the whodunnit.

Cold Dark Night gets a solid 5 stars from me, and I can’t wait for book 2 in this series!

***

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/

 

#BookReview: Yellow Hair by Andrew Joyce @huckfinn76

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author I discovered via John Howell’s blog (https://johnwhowell.com/) The blurb appealed to me, along with the great review, so I gave it a go >>>

About the Book:

Through no fault of his own, a young man is thrust into a new culture just at the time that culture is undergoing massive changes. It is losing its identity, its lands, and its dignity. He not only adapts, he perseveres and, over time, becomes a leader—and on occasion, the hand of vengeance against those who would destroy his adopted people.

Yellow Hair documents the injustices done to the Sioux Nation from their first treaty with the United States in 1805 through Wounded Knee in 1890. Every death, murder, battle, and outrage written about actually took place. The historical figures that play a role in this fact-based tale of fiction were real people and the author uses their real names. Yellow Hair is an epic tale of adventure, family, love, and hate that spans most of the 19th century.
This is American history.

Awarded Book of the Year by Just Reviews.
Awarded Best Historical Fiction of 2016 by Colleen’s Book Reviews.

Andrew Joyce is the recipient of the 2013 Editor’s Choice Award for Best Western for his novel, Redemption: The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer.

My Review:

I came across this book and writer via a fellow author’s blog, and the review and book description piqued my interest. And, wow, what a read! I’m so delighted I decided to read it.

Via this book, I’ve learnt a lot about American history and the brutal treatment between the emigrants and the natives. It’s obvious that much research and love has been poured into this novel. While the story is full of facts, the fictional element is a gripping read, and the whole thing is seamless and brilliantly blended. I cared for the characters deeply, and the wonderfully evocative descriptions made me feel as though I were there right with the characters, breathing in the dust and bleeding and hurting with them.

The writer, Andrew Joyce, is now one of my go-to authors. I give a resounding 5 stars to Yellow Hair.

***

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/