Favourite reads of 2015, so far...

It's already June. Oh well, they say time flies when you're having fun, so I must have been having a lot of fun :)

I thought I would take the opportunity for a mid-year look back at some of my favourite reads of 2015.

In no particular order, here are a few I'd recommend if you're currently searching for your next read.



Eli's Coming by Darcia Helle

Excerpt from my review: "...a supernatural thriller with elements of fantasy and suspense. [...] When we meet Eli he is at a kind of crossroads in his life because he has found love but there is a dark secret that he is keeping and something that could threaten his new love and also his own life. The secret is slowly and steadily revealed as the story unfolds and his past comes back to find him.

I really enjoyed Eli's Coming. The dark fantasy element is fascinating. I'm pleased that this is the first in the series and am looking forward to the next book!"

Amazon links:

US: http://www.amazon.com/Elis-Coming-Cha...
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elis-Coming-C...




Living the Dream by Tim Baker

Excerpt from my review: "This book had me hooked from the start and kept me interested throughout. It's a fun and fast-paced read with lots of surprising twists and turns. [...] The book revolves around a series of strange recurring dreams that many of the characters have been having. [...] It's a complex tale involving many different characters and the author did a fantastic job with it. This would make a great movie!"

Amazon links:

US: http://www.amazon.com/Living-Dream-Ti...
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Dream-...







Easy Target by Jenny Hilborne

Excerpt from my review: "This is book two in a series, but I had not read book one and still enjoyed it immensely. I like the fast-paced style of the author's writing. [...] In this novel, Lucinda Fitchett or "Fitch" as she is known, has no recollection of events one evening after waking up in her own flat not sure how she got there after a night out. She has a very troubled past and is wary when contacted by someone who says he knows what happened to her. Fitch is determined to find out the truth [...] an action packed crime thriller that will keep you guessing until the end."

Amazon links:

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Easy-Target-I...
US: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Target-Ins...





Weird: A Henry Ian Darling Oddity Missive One

Excerpt from my review: "First in a series, in this 'weird' story, we're introduced to Henry Darling and follow him on his first adventure. [...] It kept me hooked from the start and it's wonderfully imaginative. Henry has been through an experience that changed him and now he collects oddities. His wife and his unlikely friend Brett are his companions and helpers. This is a truly unique story from a talented writer. [...] If you haven't read any of this author's work, 'Weird' would be a great place to start."

Amazon links:

US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R...
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...





The Cestus Concern by Mat Nastos

Excerpt from my review: "This is a fantastic book. It kept me hooked from the start. I loved the humourous interaction between Mal and his best friend Zuz.

Mal wakes up to find he's a cyborg and has no memory of the past 11 months of his life. In his quest to find out the truth he has to battle many government agents and man-made adversaries. It's a rollercoaster ride from page 1 with scene after scene of action packed adventure."

Amazon links:

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Cestus-Co...
US: http://www.amazon.com/The-Cestus-Conc...





Dreams of a Calico Mouse: The Poems of Dorien Grey

Excerpt from my review: "Dorien Grey's "Dreams of a Calico Mouse" is the perfect example of the type of modern poetry that I enjoy. It's almost storytelling but in verse, and it contains heartfelt messages. The themes in this collection include: love, old age, regret, and dreams. A couple of the poems made me chuckle, and then there were a couple of them that nearly made me cry. All of them kept me interested and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole book. This is an accomplished collection of all types of poetry including some haiku."

Amazon links:

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...
US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J...




Odin's Eye

Excerpt from my review: "Maria Haskins' writing definitely fits into the literary fiction genre. These are stories that are to be savoured. There is a depth to the tales that can only be fully appreciated by taking time to really read and digest every sentence, every nuance. Each sentence is skillfully crafted. [...] All the stories are science fiction and are set in the near or distant future. They are set on different planets, different worlds. The characters are so well depicted and seem like real people telling their tale. We see things through their eyes, we feel their fear and sense their concerns. [...] The stand out story for me was 'Lost and Found', a tale about an astronaut, who is the only survivor after a crash, waiting to be rescued. That one is just perfect, in my opinion. It would make a great movie or short film."

Amazon links:

US: http://www.amazon.com/Odins-Eye-Maria...
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Odins-Eye-Mar...