Spanning the late 1800's to modern day, a young witch is cursed to relive a tragic romance over and over in subsequent reincarnations. If you like ro Spanning the late 1800's to modern day, a young witch is cursed to relive a tragic romance over and over in subsequent reincarnations. If you like romantic historical novels mixed with dark magic and demons, this book's for you. I alternated between the e-book and the audiobook and thought the narrator did a fine job giving voice to the characters.
I give this book 5 stars for originality and historical accuracy, but took one away for some awkward phrasings, and some typos that made my editor brain kick in. ...more
Dara is a young half-blood witch dealing with community prejudice and family abandonment issues. Her mother is missing, probably dead, and her father Dara is a young half-blood witch dealing with community prejudice and family abandonment issues. Her mother is missing, probably dead, and her father wants nothing to do with her. Despite being ordered not to delve in magic and having had no training in it, her natural abilities keep getting her in trouble with the supernatural. It's a strong and intriguing premise that carries the reader through the book. I would have given this book a higher rating but for the numerous typos and one big plot issue.
Spoiler alert: The plot hole is that Dara keeps worrying about her best friend Alice not returning her calls. Perfectly reasonable except that she herself has her friend's phone and it's not like she forgot that fact. So what phone was she calling? Did I miss something? ...more
I consider this light reading. It's a murder mystery with a twist...the protagonist is a middle-aged woman who as a result of a near death experience I consider this light reading. It's a murder mystery with a twist...the protagonist is a middle-aged woman who as a result of a near death experience while undergoing a hysterectomy developed the paranormal ability to see visions when stimulated by an associated scent. Hence the title "Scent Ability". In this debut novel, she uses that new found talent to prove her friend innocent of murdering her abusive ex-boyfriend. I enjoyed the book, but am not intrigued enough by this character to follow her on to her next adventure. Maybe you will be....more
This book will be a tough pill to swallow for anyone with deeply held religious beliefs. Frey's Messiah takes a dismissive view of all religions, as wThis book will be a tough pill to swallow for anyone with deeply held religious beliefs. Frey's Messiah takes a dismissive view of all religions, as well as society's expectations of proper behavior. He's an interesting character but pretty much fits the Messiah profile - long suffering but filled with love and forgiveness for all. Frey writes in an engaging way, but goes way overboard lecturing how we should live our lives. The main message isn't really new. Love is all there is and all that matters. Everything else is BS. Okay, fine, but the preaching became so repetitive, I started skimming those passages. I got it the first ten times, thank you. The book goes on way too long without covering any new ground. By the end, all I could think of was how much hubris it took to portray an all-knowing Messiah who tells people to abandon everything they've been taught and believed because it doesn't match "his" real truth about God. I love books irreverently questioning the meaning of life and religion, but this one took itself way too seriously. I give it 3 stars. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either....more
First of all, this isn't a horror story with monsters despite the title. Simmons has written an alternative history combining the challenges of mountaFirst of all, this isn't a horror story with monsters despite the title. Simmons has written an alternative history combining the challenges of mountain climbing with the growing threat of Hitler coming to power. It seems an unlikely scenario and the plot went off the rails in my opinion in later chapters. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the fascinating characters Simmons developed and the descriptions of climbing sheer snow-covered mountainsides. I alternated between reading the e-book and listening to the audio version. The narrator brought Jake to life. But if you're waiting for the hairy snow-monsters to finally show up, you'll be disappointed, and I was. ...more
I especially enjoyed learning about Tinglit culture in this historical novel set in late 18th century Alaska. Although the tale of Ana, a native AlaskI especially enjoyed learning about Tinglit culture in this historical novel set in late 18th century Alaska. Although the tale of Ana, a native Alaskan taken from her people to be raised in a Spanish Mission, is fictional, her story is weaved through real events, people and places, providing a peek into that time period and its peoples. Ana's story is one of personal growth, survival and love. Worth the read....more
I have no complaints about the author's talent. This is a well-told story with a great premise. The main character is the high-functioning CEO of a cuI have no complaints about the author's talent. This is a well-told story with a great premise. The main character is the high-functioning CEO of a cutting-edge brain augmentation company built on technology he's credited with inventing . Unfortunately he's also the main suspect in a murder and has lost all his memories. He doesn't know who he is or if he's guilty. It's up to him to find the answers, but the more he learns about himself, the less he likes and the more confused and suspicious he becomes about his company's tech. At this point in the book, I was totally invested. Unfortunately, the explanation for the source of tech (which comes at the midpoint and I won't reveal here as it would be a spoiler) was a total let-down for me. I was hoping for something new, but it felt like an old over-worked idea I've heard too many times, which is why I can't fully endorse this novel....more
The author pulled me into her trilogy by setting up intriguing characters, a huge conflict, and a boatload of mysteries to investigate and solve. The The author pulled me into her trilogy by setting up intriguing characters, a huge conflict, and a boatload of mysteries to investigate and solve. The tale is based on the concept of a witch falling in love with a vampire in violation of a long-standing covenant. I enjoyed the mix of modern science with ancient lore about witches, vampires and demons. The element of time travel turned the story into a bit of a history lesson, if one can overlook the liberties taken to weave in supernatural influences. I was excited to read the third book to find out the answers. Unfortunately, in the author's determination to create, what felt to me like a forced happy-ever-after ending, many of the mysteries remained unsolved, and one main character simply dropped off the map. So in short, I was thoroughly entertained by this trilogy, but the end left me unsatisfied....more
I have to give this book a mixed review. While there are interesting twists and turns along the way that kept me reading, I was unable to suspend my dI have to give this book a mixed review. While there are interesting twists and turns along the way that kept me reading, I was unable to suspend my disbelief enough to become fully engaged. The premise in ‘Chasing Daylight’ is that Azrael, the Angel of Death, has been playing cat-and-mouse games of murder for thousands of years and is now toying with Harper, an FBI agent, over and over, by leaving him clues as to who will be the next victim. I found the premise intriguing and looked forward to seeing how the author would draw me in and convince me of this terrible reality. Unfortunately, I remained unconvinced. Despite his atheistic views, private eye Jack, who teams up with Harper, buys into the fallen angel tale based solely on Harper’s claims. I never saw any observable evidence to convince anyone, let alone the FBI, that the murderer was more than one really mentally screwed up human. Even when we were privileged to hear Azrael’s inner thoughts, it only proved that he believed himself to be a fallen angel, and that he had convinced others to believe the same and follow him. I kept waiting for concrete evidence to prove that his being a supernatural being was the only explanation for the events described. The writing itself was clear and understandable if not particularly inspired. I did notice a number of accidental switches in verb tense from past to present, such as in this sentence: “It was probably the most exciting thing they’ve seen all day.” Putting all that aside, this book is a tense thriller with interesting characters, lives at stake, and deaths that are gruesome. I kept turning pages and rooted for the good guys to win....more
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