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My Thoughts About …. ‘The Moon Coin’ by Richard Due

December 21, 2011 By 7 Comments

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SYNOPSIS

Available From Amazon

“For Lily and Jasper Winter, the Moon Realm began with a single secret bedtime tale. As the children grew older, Uncle Ebb enthralled them with thrilling tales of the Dragondain riding horse-sized, catlike Rinn; mysterious tales of peerin-wielding lunamancers manipulating the magic that lies just beneath the surface of reality; exciting tales of flying dragons, swimming merfolk, stomping giants, and troublesome faeries. But as the magic of their childhood faded, so too did the tales. Eventually, they were just . . . good stories.

Or were they?

Now, nine years after it all began, Uncle Ebb is missing.

Lily and Jasper search for clues, but their uncle’s mansion is full of distractions. A Tesla generator thrums in the basement. Prismatic electrimals flit around walls resembling underwater reefs. Then a most unexpected friend comes to their aid, leading them to a hidden room where they find a mysterious coin—the moon coin. Before the night is out, Lily is transported to the real Moon Realm. But the moons are in trouble. The Rinn of Barreth are under siege, and the lunamancers of Dain are beset by the very dragons they once loved. Most horrifying of all, the moon Darwyth has fallen to a villain named Wrengfoul, whose creeping evil now threatens to overshadow all the Realm.

Are Lily and Jasper too late to save the Moon Realm, or will they have enough time to write an ending of their own?”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard Due, knew from an early age that he enjoyed story-telling, although ‘The Moon Coin’ did not come easily and with some major reworking of the storyline necessary before Richard was happy with the adventure and its outcome, some six years had past from inception to publication.

Following some difficult encounters with various publishers and editors, Richard took the brave step of setting up his own small press and self publishing ‘The Moon Coin’ as an ebook. He now has the distinction of being the founder of ‘Gibbering Gnome Press’, a division of Ingenius Inventions Run Amok, Ink. (I love the name ‘Gibbering Gnome’, I must remember to ask Richard how he thought that one up!).

Richard currently hails from Southern Maryland, a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US, where he is also the co-owner of  ‘Second Looks Books’

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MY FAVOURITE WORDS FROM THE BOOK

‘…Well, as you grow older, you’ll discover a curious thing about the truth – it plays by its own rules. It cares not one whit about your or anyone else’s beliefs. The truth just is. There is no stopping or changing it. Further, I would counsel you to prepare yourselves, as the truth can be quite far removed from one’s — expectations.’

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MY THOUGHTS ABOUT ‘THE MOON COIN’

‘Nine Moons’ make a ‘Moon Realm’ and the ‘Moon Coin’ can transport you to any of them, if only you have the power to believe…..

At the heart of these worlds and known by all, is uncle Ebb (AKA Lord Ebbram) Autumn. Uncle to Lily and Jasper and an uncle like no other, with his head full of stories and his pockets full of presents, who wants nothing more than to see a united Moon Realm, with all its rich and colourful characters living in harmony together, whilst respecting their obvious differences and beliefs.

Which child would not want to have such  a great, eccentric and colourful character at the heart of their lives? Someone who lives in a home where the walls are literally a living testimony to the owners’ visits to faraway lands, with corridors and rooms full of excitement and intrigue, just waiting to be explored.

Which child, when confronted with access to the hitherto closely guarded secret of the Moon Coin, would not have their curiosity sufficiently piqued to be tempted to tamper with it, in the hope of discovering its closest secrets, those which even uncle Ebb will not divulge? … especially given that he is never usually without the Moon Coin around his neck.

Now uncle Ebb has disappeared for longer than usual and his family are becoming concerned as to his whereabouts and against all the rules, Lily and Jasper are searching the house, in the hope of finding some clue about his travel plans.

Lily and her brother Jasper are both inquisitive and intelligent children, who have been spoon-fed on these rich and colourful tales for years, although it is Lily who is prove herself the most astute and questioning of the siblings, showing herself to be very sensible and mature for her years …. Sensible that is, until she finds herself to be almost dangerously observant and meddlesome, when she alone, attempts to discover the secrets of the Moon Coin and finds herself transported to the Moon of Barreth, without knowing how, therefore not having the knowledge to make the return journey home …..

So begins the start of a beautifully descriptive, cleverly written, intricate story, full of adventure and captivating characters, who draw you into their very lives and worlds.

Lily is treated by some, as something of a celebrity as she is escorted across the moons of Barreth and Dain, especially when her connection with Lord Ebbram is discovered. Despite the problems which their own worlds are facing, many are eager to try and help Lily find her way home, before she gets caught up in the conflicts which are threatening, although none seem to know where uncle Ebb might be and all could wish for his help.

Ownership of the Moon Coin appears to enable Lily to understand and interact with the inhabitants of these other moons, and they with her, in a way which would suggest that the creatures of these distant worlds are not too different from our own, in that there are good and bad fgures, with some more willing to help than others, although all can recognise Lily for the child she is and treat her with the kindness she needs, whilst realising that her intellect is far superior to her years and affording her the respect she is due.

Lily also begins to suspect that her mother may know more about uncle Ebb’s strange and exotic tales and travels, than she has ever let on. In fact she has at times, actively tried to dissuade uncle Ebb from telling the children his tales. This thought is only just the seed of an idea, which Lily has had planted in her mind and she hasn’t worked things out fully yet, as she also tries to assimilate her own part in the larger picture, so watch out as the next installment unfolds …

I get the sneaking suspicion that Lily herself may find out later that she, together with her mother and uncle Ebb, also possesses some of these special powers, and from how she has behaved so far, I think that she will be able to cope with them admirably and with a great level of maturity, her character development should be very interesting to follow.

As a sceptic, I found myself in fantasy overload, as I was transported right to the heart of the action, on the amazing faraway moons of Barreth and Dain, there to meet magical characters with such wonderful names .. Rinn, Dragondain, Wyflings, Wirtles, Wornot and Scaramann and of course, Lumanancers …. and I loved every minute of it.

The descriptions of creatures and places of almost mythical proportions, were vivid and mature, whilst still managing to retain the necessary balance in the narration to satisfy both the target YA audience and the wider adult reading population, who like myself, will no doubt be entranced by the skill of the author, Richard Due. I just cannot believe that this maturity and skill with the written word, comes from a debut author.

The tales of fantastic lore-filled puzzles are deeply layered and have been expertly crafted to produce an epic work which flows at a tremendous pace, with more twists and turns than enough, full of shocks and surprises around every corner.

The book works okay as a stand-alone story, up to a point, although the ending is such that you really need to be reading the next installment, which is already in post-production and ready for publication in 2012. When a book actually says ‘to be continued …’ it generally rather annoys me, however I felt that ‘The Moon Coin’ had produced so much more than I had expected, that I did not feel cheated by this final twist in the tale and I am waiting to see just how well the books are linked together and hoping that the second book can also be read independently.

 No review about ‘The Moon Coin’ would be complete without mention of the fantastic illustrations, which are to be found on the cover and throughout the book. The illustrations capture the essence of the story in picture form, with their strength and animation, combined with such rich and vivid colours, which draw you right into the story with their warmth. They are the work of talented illustrator, Carolyn Arcabascio. To get ‘close up and personal’ with just a small selection of the fantastic illustrations in ‘The Moon Coin’ and to find out more about the working relationship between illustrator and author, click here.

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A FANTASMAGORICAL TALE – FOR THE YOUNG, THE NOT SO YOUNG, OR SIMPLY THE YOUNG AT HEART —– JUST SO LONG AS YOU BELIEVE …

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Richard has gifted me a copy of ‘The Moon Coin’ for my kindle, in exchange for me reading and sharing my thoughts about this magical adventure and which, I am sure for Richard, has now become something of a ‘labour of love’.

The fact that my copy was gifted, has not influenced, nor in any way will influence in the future, any comments I may  express about the book, in any blog article I may post. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this, or any other article.

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My Thoughts About …. ‘South Of Hell’ by P.J. Parrish

December 6, 2011 By 8 Comments

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Synopsis is taken from the book:

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This Title Is Available From Amazon

Years after the mysterious disappearance of his wife Jean, Owen Brandt is released from prison, having served time for a string of violent crimes against women. Although there was never proof to suggest that Brandt had any part in his wife going missing, PI Louis Kincaid agrees to take another look at the case, with the help of Miami detective Joe Frye.

When Louis and Joe go to the now-derelict Brandt farmhouse, located just south of a town called Hell, they find a teenage girl hiding there. Though frightened and confused, she tells them that her name is Amy, and that she is the daughter of Jean and Owen Brandt. But the Brandts never had a child, or so people in the town seem to think.

As Amy starts to remember details from the past, signs begin to suggest that Owen Brandt killed his wife. But how do Louis and Joe know if they can trust Amy? What secrets from Louis’ own past could distract him from the investigation? And can they uncover the truth before it’s too late?

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About The Author:

P.J. Parrish is another example of an author (or, in this case, two authors), being required by an agent to adopt a pen name, to avoid the reading audience knowing who (or what) they are!

The writing team  actually comprises a ‘double-act’, of two sisters, Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols, who try to dispel the reader myth, that P.J. Parrish is actually a black male author, whilst also trying to break down the bias that still exists against female crime/thriller writers, because of their gutsy, gritty writing style.

Ironically though, both women, who have since early childhood been avid story writers, tried their hand at writing romance, with little success, before summoning their character of Louis Kincaid into print.

Their differing styles and individual unique qualities of writing complement each other, more so as time has passed and each has become a stonger writer; until now, the collaboration has produced an almost seamless manuscript that blends effectively, the more amazing when you consider that the ladies live states apart and only exchange ideas via the telephone and internet.

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My Thoughts About The Book:

This is my first brush with the character PI Louis Kincaid and by now he his into his ninth adventure, with the tenth case seemingly to be his last, as the author is launching a new character later in the year.

In this instance though, I have no real urge to go back and read all Louis’s earlier cases and history, not because it isn’t a fantastic series, which it is, but because this book works great as a stand alone novel, and by now the character has been ‘fleshed out’ and given his full personality, which is so complex and sensitive, that to read earlier books would probably be a retrograde step.

Not only is this book a great thriller that kept me guessing right until the end, never really knowing what the final outcome would be, until the very last page, but it is also written with the keen attention to detail that made the characters believeable, well developed and real to me, drawing an immediate empathy from me, as I was so easily able to relate to them.

This book is written, and almost comes across as two separate stories, covering two disparate worlds and periods of time; the hard hitting angle of a great piece of modern day crime fiction writing and an invaluable insight into the many social problems of society, both modern and historical.

Louis Kincaid, born half black, into a small town, where prejudice is, even today, very much the norm. His mother passed away when he was young, his father abandoned him to a succession of foster homes, some good, some not so good. A law degree abandoned mid-way, for a career in the police, from where he is subsequently dismissed. He is now a PI, living on the edge of society, hated by the police, still an outcast in his home town and now living a very much anonymous life in the city, but unconsciously desperately trying to bring closure to his past and move on with his life.

His long distance relationship, with a serving female police officer, who has moved far away, seeking promotion in her career, is strained to say the least and that loyalty and love is to be tested even further, when she is drawn into this complex and emotional case, initially against her will, but then with an increasing sense of need and fulfillment, that will either draw them closer together once again, or separate them  forever.

Louis is forced back to his roots, as if by an invisible cord, when a voice from his past asks for his help in solving a case and finds himself thrown headlong into prejudices he had hoped to try and leave behind, whilst being forced to face up to the resposibilities of a long ago action, which evokes feelings in him that he could never have imagined.

The crime is one against a string of unfortunate women, perpetrated by a single man, so cruel and viciously violent, as to be vile to everyone who comes into contact with him. Could some of this madman’s actions stem from stories of long abandoned ‘Underground Railroads to Canada’, used by the slaves and found to be hidden on his land, or from the fact that, it transpires that there is a history of ‘black blood’ in his family, which in an area where blacks are still only just tolerated, has sent his mind into a downward spiral, from which he is unable to escape?

Seemingly, only one young girl, long ago abandoned to her fate, has the key to the answer. Amy is portrayed as a vulnerable, timid person, obviously frightened of Owen Brandt, yet having an inner depth and courage to face up to him, in order to solve the mystery of her mothers disappearance, one crime for which he has never been charged.

Amy’s transition into an emerging confident young woman, gathers pace as Owen Brandts capture comes closer, although she is prepared to place herself in terrible danger, to ensure that he is forced to pay for the crime and thus atone for the wrongs inflicted on her mother and all those unfortunate souls, from long ago.

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This book was taken from my existing TBR pile and left me wondering why I had never read it sooner, it was a totally engrossing read.

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My Thoughts About …. ‘Eulogy’s Secret’ by Grace Elliot

November 13, 2011 By 8 Comments

Synopsis

Available From Amazon

Greed, prejudice and a stolen identity…

In the four weeks since her guardian’s death, Eulogy Foster has lost everything. She travels to London seeking the help of Lord Lucien Devlin, the estranged brother who doesn’t know she exists. But Lord Devlin turns her away and alone on the streets, Eulogy is attacked, robbed and thrown onto the mercy of a passing stranger.

Jack Huntley – bitter, cynical and betrayed in love -believes women are devious, scheming creatures and not to be trusted. So when one night he saves a naive young woman from rape, little does he suspect how life is about to change. Despite his growing attraction to Miss Foster, Jack has a problem: Eulogy Foster has a secret and he can’t trust her.

As Eulogy learns the haunting story of her mother’s past, she knows she will only marry for true love. Deeply drawn to Jack Huntley, she needs him to confess his love before she shares the secret of her birth. Caught in a deadlock, with neither able to confess their true feelings, events take a sinister turn as it becomes clear someone wants Eulogy Foster dead and will stop at nothing to achieve it.

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About The Author

HISTORY, ROMANCE AND…CATS! Grace Elliot leads something of a double life, as a vet by day … she is obsessed by all things feline, and author of intelligent historical fiction by night.

She is an avid reader and turned to writing as a way to de-stress from an emotionally demanding job.

She firmly believes that smart people read romance – as an antidote to the modern world!

Grace only discovered the wonders of social history many years after leaving education and, after working her way through the Tudors and medieval history, finally decided that her passion lay firmly with the Georgian and Regency periods.

Her inspiration to delve into the world of the historical fiction novel came initially from Margaret George who encouraged her pick up and read her first social history book, and Stephanie Laurens who showed Grace that to fully escape to her new-found world, she needed to write about it, which she has, most successfully.

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My Thoughts About .. ‘Eulogy’s Secret’

EULOGY

1. A laudatory speech or written tribute, especially one praising someone who has died.
2. High praise or commendation.
We discover some way into the story, that Eulogy was so named as a tribute to her mothers’ nobility and self sacrifce.
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This accolade is in the most part deserved, as Eulogy has had some real and valid core values and standards instilled in her by her adoptive parents. She has promised herself that she will only marry for love and in return expects that the person she marries will live by and uphold those same principles in return. She has a firm belief in the morals and integrity of her fellow man to do the right thing, give her a fair hearing and treat her with respect and dignity.
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Eulogy is determined in her quest to lay claim to the family which she mistakenly anticipates will welcome her with open arms. She is far too trusting and naive in her dealings with Lucien Devlin, a bitter and twisted individual, who with his hurtful and manipulative lies, will stop at nothing to destroy both Eulogy and Jack in order to protect the false and caring public image he has built up around himself, in a desperate attempt to escape the dire and destructive course he has allowed his life to take.
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Grace has given Eulogy’s character a sublime sense of compassionate innocence and unquestioning loyalty, which is both touching, yet will ultimately be the cause of her near downfall. At the same time she has endowed her character with the same stubborn and intransigent streak, which will inevitably set her on a collision course with Jack, especially as she steadfastly refuses to reveal what she falsely, yet sincerely believes is an honour-bound secret she has promised and is determind to keep. One cannot help but admire Eulogy’s misplaced sense of loyalty, as she constantly allows her innocence and compassion to get the better of her in any decision making process.

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Jack is the youngest son of a titled family, which means that he must pay his own way in life, as the family title has by right, passed to his eldest brother. This does not however, mean that he is to sully himself too much in his chosen occupation as he is still expected to carve out for himself a place in the upper echelons of London Georgian society, uphold the good name and reputation of the family and marry within his social class, a woman of good breeding and character.
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Grace has imbued the character of Jack with the same sense of stubbornness as Eulogy, although his underlying character is probably the weaker of the two, as he does rather want to ‘have his  cake and eat it’. He doesn’t reveal to Eulogy that he has already had his heart broken and been betrayed, by a lady such as she, who is considered outside of and below his social standing in society. He now thinks he has hardened his heart and considers himself bound by propriety to maintain his standing and influence within the ton, although the reality of the situation is that he cannot help but feel the need to protect Eulogy, whilst shrouding himself in a cloak of offhandedness and coolness, to hide his latent vulnerability and infatuation for her. He fights hard to deny his growing natural love for Eulogy, yet is always there when she needs him, unable to leave her feeling alone and vulnerable.
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Here we then have our two protagonists and so the scene is set for a rollicking story of passion versus position and power, where they find themselves embroiled in a plot with multiple twists and turns, a real ‘blending’ of the various storylines, culminating in a resolution to their quandry which is both dangerous and fabulous. Grace also builds the sexual tension at just the right pace to keep the reader guessing exactly when they are going to succumb to the inevitable, although this in no way overshadows the underlying storyline and plot, only serving to compliment the overall enjoyment of the story.

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The story is both plot and character driven in equal measure, so that I wanted to both laugh and cry with them, yet at the same time bang their heads together, for not being able to see that, the thing which they both covet the most, is right in front of them, if only they would open their hearts and minds to the possibilities. I don’t believe that this complete joining of both body and spirit is truly achieved until the final, last touching scene, as Grace continues to pour on the uncertainty and suspense, culminating in a touching and emotional finale.
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If you like your historical romance laced with a touch of danger and daring, then this has to be a must for your reading list.
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Another great book, even more captivating and sensual than the first, written by an author who is so obviously passionate about her subject

PASSION VIES WITH POSITION AND POWER, CAN LOVE CONQUER ALL?

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This book was a review copy, sent to me by the author, Grace Elliot and as such, was free of charge.

This in no way influenced any comments I may have expressed about the book, in any blog article I have posted. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this, or any other article.

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My Thoughts About … ‘A Dedicated Man’ by Peter Robinson

November 3, 2011 By 8 Comments

 

Synopsis words taken from the book:

This Title Is Available From Amazon

“Near the village of Helmthorpe, Swainsdale, the body of a well-liked local historian is found half-buried under a drystone wall.

Harry Steadman has been brutally murdered. But who would want to kill such a thoughtful, dedicated man?

Chief Inspector Alan Banks is called in to investigate and soon discovers that disturbing secrets lie behind the apparently bucolic facade.

It is clear that young Sally Lumb, locked in her lover’s arms on the night of the murder, knows more than she is letting on. And her knowledge could lead to danger …”

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About The Author:

Peter Robinson is a native of Yorkshire, England, where he earned his BA Honours Degree in English Literature, from the University of Leeds.

He then moved to Canada where he earned an MA in English and Creative Writing, going on to further success with a PhD in English.

Peter is best known for introducing us to his character, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks, who has now successfully unravelled some 19 cases, during his 24 year career. He has also had success with a couple of stand alone novels and collections.

He has been nominated for and won, numerous awards for his contribution to the genre of crime thriller writing and now divides his time between his Canadian home in Toronto and Richmond in his native Yorkshire.

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My favourite lines from the book…

“Murder is the one crime that can’t be put right. It upsets the balance. The dead can’t be restored like stolen property; death doesn’t heal like physical or emotional scars left by assault or rape. It’s final. The end…”

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My thoughts about the book…

I have read books from later in the ‘Alan Banks’ series, so I already know what happens to the character in his personal life, although this does not detract in any way from my enjoyment in back-tracking a little, in this, the second book in the series.

Peter Robinson is still establishing the character and his family, fleshing them out, to give them a life of their own. They are becoming totally believable, not too exuberant or larger than life, as they strive to fit into their new home and community in the Yorkshire dales, after the hustle and bustle of life in London.

Banks is coming to like his new found peace and quiet, mentally leaving the investigation for short periods, to share his random thoughts and to wax lyrical in his very vivid and real descriptions, of his adopted Yorkshire Dales.

Much of the investigation seems to take place in or around various public houses and involves quite a large intake of both alcohol and tobacco, with much of the time in between spent driving between remote locations in the Dales, to the accompaniment of his latest interest, folk music. I found this flawed side to his character quite endearing and in keeping with the whols ethos of  this intimate community, although I did have more than a passing thought that the similarity of the character with that of Colin Dexter’s character of ‘Morse’, was quite uncanny in many instances, although of course Morse had his musical tastes firmly rooted in the Classical genre.

In fact, all of the characters in the story are well developed and believable, in their individual roles, within this tightknit community. Banks is still treated as something of an outsider, with the locals  reluctant to talk to, or confide in him, despite the fact that everyone knows everyone else and everyone has an opinion to share. As is so often the case in smaller communities however, they are so busy minding everyone else’s business, that they have been caught unawares and are blissfully ignorant about the identity of the murderer in their midst.

The plot isn’t hurried along, which is a little unfortunate for Banks, who subsequently and very  emotionally for him personally, has two crimes on his hands. We now get to go beyond that bluff exterior and see the softer side to his personality, as he strives to come to terms with his own shortcomings  in the investigation, in this often reflective study of human nature.

Banks is a man of great tenacity in his ability to solve a crime, despite the many false leads and intricate sub-plots, that stand in his way and following his thought processes and powers of deduction was quite interesting,  changing my mind about the identity of the person he was seeking out several times and keeping me guessing right until the end.

This book was nothing less than the quality of writing and levels of suspense, that I have come to expect from Peter Robinson and personally, I would highly recommend it, if you are in the market for a great crime fiction read.

 

 


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My Thoughts About … ‘Double Crossing’ by Meg Mims

October 17, 2011 By 8 Comments

 

Synopsis

Available From Amazon

   A murder arranged as a suicide … a missing deed … and a bereft daughter whose sheltered world is shattered.

August, 1869: Lily Granville is stunned by her father’s murder. Only one other person knows about a valuable California gold mine deed — both are now missing. Lily heads west on the newly opened transcontinental railroad, determined to track the killer. She soon realizes she is no longer the hunter but the prey.

As things progress from bad to worse, Lily is uncertain who to trust—the China-bound missionary who wants to marry her, or the wandering Texan who offers to protect her … for a price. Will Lily survive the journey and unexpected betrayal?

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About The Author

Meg Mims is an author, artist (Meg works in watercolour, acrylic and pen/ink media) and amateur photographer.

Born and raised in southeast Michigan, she lives with her husband, a “Make My Day” Malti-poo and a drooling black cat.

She is a staff writer for RE/MAX Platinum in Michigan – writing articles about the real estate market, community events and Realtors – and for Lake Effect Living, a West Coast of Michigan tourist on-line magazine.

Meg earned an M.A. degree through Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program, joined Romance Writers of America , where she learned much more about the business of writing romance, then entered the SHU programme for a second time, to tackle the ‘mysteries’ of writing in the mystery genre.

She now writes historical mysteries and romantic suspense, although she first became published in the  children’s market in 1997 with puzzles, a rebus, poems, short stories and illustrations.

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My Thoughts About The Book

A Western historical fiction and romance, mixed with plenty of suspense, murder and adventure, which had me hooked from the first page to the last.

Lily is a girl ahead of  her time. Unlike many of her contemporaries she is educated in the ways of the world, intelligent, strong willed and self-sufficient. Qualities which have been instilled in her by a father she loves and whose good name she is determined to see restored after his sudden and violent death. Traits which defy the traditions of the period, for a young lady with class and breeding should be obedient, ornamental, educated only in the finer arts and subservient to men in all things.

Lily’s character is vivid in detail and well defined, even to the point where she is forced to admit that she is not quite as ‘au fait’ in the ways of the world as she has assumed herself to be and that she needs to seek help and advice when it is required. She quickly learns that she needs to be discerning about who she can and cannot trust, but that trust and help needs to be given on her own terms. Her judgement about Ace, her chosen and well paid protector, is called into question on more than one occasion, however her intuitive decision that she can depend on him no matter what, turns out to be well founded and stands her in good stead against both family and friends, who would betray her. Our independent heroine is certainly living outside of her time and must use all her wiles and skills to determine her ever-growing feelings for her new protector and just how to deal with them.

All of the characters, including those who only appear briefly, have been developed and portrayed in this same detailed way, affording them all the ability to draw the reader into the story, each with their own self-centred and selfish motives, meaness of spirit and family values, greed and duplicity.

Perhaps the surprise amongst the protagonists is Ace Diamond, the one person who would be assumed to be along for the ride, only for what gains he can amass for himself at Lily’s expense. Instead we see a man, yes a little rough around the edges, maybe short on temper, a little too quick with his fists and who definitely doesn’t suffer fools gladly. We also get more than a glimpse of his inner control, sense of fairness, perceptiveness in his character analysis of those who would hurt or betray Lily, and his genuine growing affection for Lily, which appears to be a surprise even to himself and tests his control to its utmost limits.

The plotline, whilst to some degree predictable, is well crafted, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. There is a good balance struck between romance and suspense, with the underlying romantic and sexual  feelings which are growing between Lily and Ace, forming an integral, yet not overwhelming part of the story. The emphasis manages to remain firmly centred around Lily’s quest to find the one person she thinks may be able to help her track down the people who meted out such a cruel retribution on her father.

The vastness, primeval beauty, changing scenery and vistas of a new and fledgling country are brought to life in clear and vivid detail, as we journey across the breadth of the country by train, from Lily’s home in the more prosperous and sophisticated Chicago of the Eastern Seabord; to the wild, untamed territory of the Western Californian lands.

“The prairie possessed a luminous glory all its own, mesmerizing and free, unashamed of its naked grassland.”

Whilst this episode of Lily’s quest reaches a natural, if slightly unexpected conclusion, with the storyline drawing to an unhurried climax, we are still left to wonder what is to become of Lily’s personal and romantic future and thus Meg has gently paved the way for a sequel, no doubt rich with the promise of what is to come with Lily’s impending maturity, and which, I understand, is well underway as I write this post.

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This book was a review copy, sent to me by the author, Meg Mims and as such, was free of charge.

This in no way influenced any comments I may have expressed about the book, in any blog article I have posted. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this, or any other article.

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My Thoughts About … ‘The Perfect Rose’ by Felicia Rogers

September 29, 2011 By 8 Comments

 

Synopsis

This Title Is Available From Amazon

Abandoned by his wife and left to raise a child alone, Caleb Reed falls short of the ideal work-from-home dad. He needs a woman to help him, in every sense of the word. At the suggestion of a friend, Caleb agrees to hire Ariel Lauren on a trial basis.

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As an orphan, Ariel has more issues than just how to make it on her on. Yes, she needs the money that Caleb offers her, but more than anything she finds she desires his love. One calamity after another befalls her and jeopardizes her new job and her chance at having a family. But through it all, Caleb is by her side, his gruff exterior threatening to melt in the face of their shared attraction. Will they decide to continue life alone or will the magic of Valentine’s Day bring them together?

 

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About The Author

Felicia Rogers is a relatively new author on the scene and although she has already had two novels published, both in the YA genre, ‘The Pefect Rose’ is her first foray into the adult contemporary romantic fiction genre, although her next book, an historical romance, is well on its way.

She modestly describes herself as “just your average, ordinary woman, with a side interest– writing.”  Born and raised in Southern US, she committed many years of her life to being a good Christian wife and mother. After reading book after book, she then decided that with a little more time to herself, the opportunity to try writing a book of her own, was now…

Her first thought was towards writing an historical romance, however as the ideas began to develop, a paranormal story with a twist suitable for the YA market drew the most inspiration and so The Key was discovered, closely followed by its natural sequel Mara’s Secret.

‘The Perfect Rose’ was conceived as a ‘Novella’ and took Felicia into the world of adult romantic fiction, with her upcoming new book ‘There Your Heart Will Be Also’ finally fulfilling that original dream of penning an historical fiction novel.

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My Thoughts About The Book

This is my first foray into the world of the ‘Novella’ and although I didn’t start to read with any preconceived ideas, I did wonder how  a ‘beginning, middle and end’ to the story, was going to be realised in such a few short pages. Felicia however, was well up to the challenge and managed all three elements with great aplomb and without managing to lose her way.

Starting off with three emotionally damaged characters and in just a few chapters turning them into a well balanced, stable family unit, was a feat in itself, without all the extraneous events which occurred to threaten the very tenuous fabric of their growing affections.

Some of these events appeared to have been added rather randomly and therefore slightly stilted the free-flowing nature of the central story, however they did build beautifully on the whole atmosphere of tension, which lurked beneath the surface, ready to rip assunder any relationship which was forming between Caleb and Ariel.

The introduction of Kelly, Caleb’s ex-wife and Joshua’s mother was the pivotal point in this new and fragile relationship and although, given the circumstances under which Caleb and Kelly had parted, I could see what Felicia was hoping to achieve by bringing her back into the equation; by either offering them a chance to regroup as a family and try to move on, or to finally bring and end and closure to the marriage, I wasn’t sure that allowing Kelly to run roughshod over everyone and just move back into the family home was quite plausible, although in such a short story perhaps it was the only way to bring about a swift conclusion to the episode.

Tender moments which Ariel shared with Caleb’s son, Joshua, strengthened and re-inforced the concept of the secure and loving family unit, which Ariel herself had longed for yet never known, whilst also highlighting the inbuilt resilience of the young to be able to adapt to and accept a new situation, if  they are given time to assess for themselves its true value and worth.

I was with Joshua all the way, as he battles in his own mind, whether he should accept the return of  a birth mother he has never known, only that she went away and left him; or whether he should move on and allow Ariel to be included in the life he has built around himself and his father and to adjust to having a third person in that tight-knit and strongly bonded relationship, which offered both father and son the security blanket they had so needed in those early days of being alone.

Central to the whole storyline is the character of Mabel, who has been looking out for Caleb and Joshua all the way down the line and, although she may at first appear to be the slightly nosey neighbour, is actually quite perceptive in her assessment of the pair’s domestic and emotional needs. She realises that living a solitary existence is not the way to protect yourself against life and the ability to be hurt again, especially for Joshua who is ever-increasingly dependent on Caleb emotionally and is becoming unreceptive to outside intervention in his life. She is able to tread where other family members fear to go, as she recognizes that Caleb will be too polite to refuse her ‘meddlesome’ ways outright, giving her the opportunity to intervene in her own unique style.

The most obvious thought I am left with, after reading ‘The Perfect Rose’, is that inherently, we all of us like to think that we fit in and belong, and we all like to feel valued and loved. Would that we could all have a ‘Mabel’ in our lives!

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I am not sure that ‘Novella’ is the way to go for me, as I prefer a slightly longer novel, where the characters can be given clear definition and allowed to grow more into their roles, as part of a more complex plot, however, as a study in the genre, ‘The Perfect Rose’ worked well and provided a relaxing and enjoyable break from more lengthy and studious novels.

I am certainly looking forward to reading Felicia’s new full length novel ‘There Will Your Heart Be Also’, which is due to be published in the Autumn of 2011.

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This book was a review copy, sent to me by the author, Felicia Rogers and as such, was free of charge.

This in no way influenced any comments I may have expressed about the book, in any blog article I have posted. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this, or any other article.

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UPDATE 29/09/2011 …. I have received feedback from the author Felicia Rogers about the content on this post and I would like to include this very pertinent comment that she made and was hitherto unknown to me:

“I would like to add that this story was originally written for a contest and therefore had a word length restriction. Everything I’ve written since that time has been a full length novel. Because as you said, the time is needed to help the characters develop and grow.”

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My Thoughts About … ‘The Other Side Of You’ by Salley Vickers

September 13, 2011 By 8 Comments

 

Synopsis Taken From The Paperback Edition

This Title Is Available From Amazon

‘One day, a failed suicide, Elizabeth Cruikshank, is admitted to the care of psychiatrist Dr David McBride.

She is mysteriously reticent and it is not until he recalls a painting by Caravaggio that she is moved to recount her story.

As her account unfolds, David finds himself unusually touched by his patient’s story of her tragic dereliction of love and trust, and by a haunting sense that his elusive patient’s life has a special resonance for the hidden ‘other side’ of his own.’

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About The Author

Salley Vickers was born in Liverpool, raised in Stoke-on-Trent and London, and read English at Newnham College, Cambridge, despite her father’s strong reservations, as this went very much against the staunchly Communist environment she had been brought up in.

Despite having held many and varied jobs, it may have been her social worker mothers influence, that led her to later pursue careers as a teacher of children with special needs, then eventually a psychoanalyst.

Following the unprecedented success of her books, Salley now chooses to write full time, suplementing this with her return to an earlier career as a lecturer, this time in a wide variety of subjects which encompass her love of art, religion, literature and psychology.

Her love of the arts is also reflected in the private time she indulges in opera, dancing and poetry – together with her other passion, bird-watching


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My Thoughts About The Book

Without giving away too many spoilers, as this book has quite a narrow narrative and storyline, so it would be easy to do so, I would just say that if you like a book where the characters truly engage with one another, then this is a must read for you.

The patient and her psychologist, through their sharing of experiences, create a powerful and frighteningly honest reality about life, that left me questioning my own thoughts and actions. Much as it did David McBride, the pschologist in question, who is left to re-evaluate both his personal and professional life, and his ability to make an honest and meaningful difference to the lives of those around him.

The characters are complex, formed with great tenderness and respect, and given a life that is both moving and powerful. The storyline of the psychiatrist trying to help his suicidal patient shifts, page by page, into a shared pain, as their stories unfold together, with each trying to reach some kind of self-understanding, as they confront their failures and regrets with an honesty that can be both moving and painful.

Sometimes I just wanted to shake the pair of them, at other times I wanted to cry for them, or with them, I’m not sure which. The debate about the nature of relationships; love and pain; life and death; self knowledge and lack of self worth, are all skilfully woven into the story, yet presented so directly as to be almost too intimate and too close to home, all making for a totally compelling journey.

It was almost a relief when the couple are finally all talked out and have each, in their own way, come to an understanding and acceptance of their individual circumstances and both make the conscious decision to make the most of every opportunity and move on with their lives, each in a totally new direction.

The story didn’t quite end as I had expected however, although it was quite haunting and beautiful, given the ties throughout the story to the art of Caravaggio, particularly his work titled ‘Supper At Emmaus’, which both inspired them to open up to each other, yet eventually appeared destined to keep them apart.

Not being an art crtitic, I nevertheless spent some considerable time in researching the art and life of Caravaggio and confess to becoming mesmerised by many of his religious paintings, although the man himself appeared to be quite a troubled and not particularly likeable character. To my untrained eye, his paintings seem passionate, yet almost cruel, but with an expressive beauty that captured my imagination.

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This book was an impulse buy from a charity shop and has been languishing in my ‘To Be Read’ pile for some considerable time. I wasn’t even sure whether to bother reading it or not, having heard mixed reviews and thoughts about it, but being the kind of person that just can’t part with a book until I have read it, just in case I miss something fantastic, I decided to give it a try.

I am certainly glad that I did save this one from being left unread any longer …

A definite 4 out of 5


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My Thoughts About … ‘Chocolicious’ by Geraldine Solon

August 30, 2011 By 4 Comments

 

Synopsis

This Title Is Available From Amazon

A week after Blair Nightingale’s husband, Larry, dies, she learns she’s about to lose everything she owns due to a foolish mistake Larry made.

In an instant, Blair’s life is transformed from rich, Silicon Valley trophy wife to poor, widowed single mom. Her only goal now is to provide for her daughter.

As Blair begins to pick up the pieces, George—Larry’s best friend and the man she truly resents—seems to always be around.

When Blair is overwhelmed by all the challenges she faces, she seeks comfort in baking rich, filled, three-layered chocolate cupcakes that her grandmother once taught her, and soon Blair’s life is changed forever.

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About The Author

Inspired from an early age, by the books of Enid Blyton, the author of  ‘Chocolicious’, Geraldine Solon, always knew that it would only ever be through her writing that she would find true solace and a release for her wild imagination and love of story-telling.

She has already written and self published three books for children; together with, ‘Odes, Insights And Stories For All Seasons’, a mix of poetry, articles and stories, that leads the reader on an emotional and spiritual journey through Geraldine’s own life experiences.

‘Chocolicious’ is Geraldine’s second novel in the adult contemporary romantic fiction genre, with her debut novel ‘Love Letters’, having already been optioned for film.

Geraldine has moved from her birthplace in the Philippines and now lives in the San Francisco Bay area USA, with her husband and family.

“I’ve always been a firm believer that love conquers all and that every woman’s experience is a story in itself. Life is a never-ending journey and my imagination and experiences have inspired me to write powerful stories. Although my books are fiction, my goal is to offer compelling lessons about life and love. The message I wish to convey to my readers is that despite the many challenges we face in this world, we must have hope and faith. Overall, it is love that binds us together.”

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My Thoughts About The Book

If I thought that Geraldine’s debut novel ‘Love Letters’ was great, then ‘Chocolicious’ has gone one better, in all ways.

Geraldine has improved in all aspects of her authorship. The writing itself flows more easily, the storyline is more fluid with the characters coming to life and being more animated, to the point where you are completely consumed by them and start to think of them as real people.

As for that very decadent cover art … well! we have already had quite enough discussion about the impact which that CHOCOLATE cupcake, has had on us all!! Needless to say, the cover artist deserves a big thumbs up for creating something which is sure to attract attention and a positive reaction.

‘Chocolicious’ is the end of a tumultuous time for Blair, George and baby Rebecca, but their story is more one of the journey, rather than the beginning or end.

Be warned that there are a couple of  sex scenes in the book, but nothing too lengthy or graphic.

This captivating story encompasses just about every emotion there is, as Blair sets out on her journey to discover the person she was really always destined to be.

I was with her every step of the way, from her determination to leave her small town roots and family behind her, to her loneliness and despair when she realises that money can’t buy you happiness or true friends. The sadness and sense of loss when her husband dies leaving her broken and vulnerable, to the hopelessness and despair of losing everything, and the humiliation of the circumstances surrounding her financial and social ruin.

Her baby daughter Rebecca, is the one shining beacon of hope and light in Blair’s life, but even this is tinged with resentment, when it is Frank’s best friend George who is there at her birth and who sets out to be her rock and a shoulder to cry on in her time of need.

Blair somehow summons the strength to begin rebuilding a life for herself and Rebecca, but finds her efforts thwarted at every turn, making her realise just how dependent she had become on Frank and how unprepared she is to survive as  her own person and make her way in the world she has chosen to belong to.

Inspiring and powerful advice from another unexpected source, shows Blair that she is not alone in her dilemma and that every one of us has our own problems and demons to challenge and confront; that she should accept any help sincerely offered to her and that she should follow her heart to find her path to true happiness, are the words of wisdom that she really needed to hear.

Slowly, Blair realises that family is an important part of her life and that giving Rebecca the stability of a secure homelife, far outweighs any thoughts she may have once had of giving her daughter the ‘choices and options’, that she felt would only be available in city living.

George is there, every step of the way, until finally he sees Blair soften towards him and little by little a grudging friendship is replaced by a loving relationship that shows Blair what true romance can be like, when it is nurtured and honestly given, although George too has his own secrets and demons to confront …..

Life deals Blair one more, almost fatal blow, but she has learnt that forgiveness in its many guises, is the elusive key to her happiness. That and her Nana’s famous recipe for 3 layered chocolate cupcakes and other delicious ‘choclaty’ desserts, which sees herself and her sister re-united and with their mutual support and that of their partners, strong and confident enough to take on the world, as ‘CHOCOLICIOUS’!!

A fantastic emotional rollercoaster, that leaves you with a renewed sense of faith in people.

A well deserved 5 out of 5 for this one.

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This book was a review copy, sent to me by the author, Geraldine Solon, and as such, was free of charge.

This in no way influenced any comments I may have expressed about the book, in any review I may have compiled. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this review.

 

 


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My Thoughts About … ‘The Egyptian’ by Layton Green

August 23, 2011 By 12 Comments

 

Synopsis as supplied by the author

At a mausoleum in Cairo’s most notorious cemetery, a mercenary receives a package containing a silver test tube suspended in hydraulic stasis.

An investigative reporter tracking rogue biomedical companies is terrified by the appearance of a mummified man outside her Manhattan apartment.

A Bulgarian scientist who dabbles in the occult makes a startling discovery in his underground laboratory.

These seemingly separate events collide when Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults, are hired by the CEO of an Egyptian biomedical firm to locate stolen research integral to the company’s new life extension product.  However, after witnessing the slaughter of a team of scientists by the remnants of a dangerous cult thought long abandoned, Grey and Viktor turn from pursuers to pursued.

From the gleaming corridors of visionary laboratories to the cobblestone alleys of Eastern Europe to a lost oasis in the Sahara, Grey and Viktor must sift through science and myth to uncover the truth behind the Egyptian and his sinister biotech – before that truth kills them.

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About The Author

Layton Green is a prolific traveller, having visited more than fifty countries and lived in several of them, although at the present time, he is living with his family in Miami, Florida, USA.

During his travels, Layton has held down a number of diverse and varying jobs, although he is a qualified and once practicing attorney, having attended law school in New Orleans.

With his love of all things spiritual and supernatural, his deep interest of religion and cults, together with his passion for Japanese Jujitsu, it is quite easy to see where Layton found his inspiration for his character ‘Dominic Grey’ and the genre in which Dominic’s adventures will be set.

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My Thoughts About The Book

I have been eagerly waiting for this second adventure in the ‘Dominic Grey’ series, ever since I was given the opportunity to advance read Layton Green’s first book ‘The Summoner’, where we were introduced to this great character.

The final cover art for ‘The Egyptian’ was only decided a couple of weeks ago and is fantastic, much more life and intrigue than the first pass, which can be found on earlier promotional material.

I was surprised when Layton revealed that ‘The Egyptian’ was in fact written before ‘The Summoner’ and impressed that ‘The Summoner’ was such a huge success as a retrospective introduction for the great concept of the series and the totally believable character of ‘Dominic Grey’.

Dominic has gained great strides in establishing himself as a complex, yet highly principled character, who has still to put his early life struggles behind him completely, before he can devote himself fully to the business tasks ahead of him, begin to establish a private life and form any close and trusting relationships.

He always seems to be looking back to the harsh punishments meted out to his mother and himself, by a sadistic and violent father and I get the feeling that deep down, he is still worried that ‘the sins of the fathers will visit themselves on the sons’ and that he will lose control and become like his father. He therefore remains a tense and highly sprung character, always on the edge and living on his wits and nerves, really rather vulnerable and slightly unpredictable, although he is gaining in confidence all the time, as he sets out to establish his own true identity.

This latest mission finds him delving into scientific and industrial espionage on a grand scale, with the secret of eternal life being the coveted prize. A duplicitous scientist, whom Dominic had dared to call ‘friend’, leaves him feeling betrayed, whilst he is caused great moral distaste and dilemma by the nature of the investigation, delving as it does into the realms of ‘Interspecies Genetic Manipulation’.

His quest, on behalf of his client, to seek out the elixir of eternal life, leads him to the heart of the Egyptian desert, where ancient myths and beliefs figure highly. The ‘mummy,’ the ultimate symbol of physical eternal life, and the spectre of ‘Nu’, the watery element of the Egyptian idea of creation, are still sought after and revered by those seeking the ultimate prize of everlasting life, as Dominic discovers even more shocking and disturbing revelations about the true nature of the scientific research, in this fast paced, plot driven, race against time.

In this highly charged environmentViktor, Dominic’s mentor and employer, plays an important, yet shadowy role.  Somehow he always contrives to provide a bedrock of calmness and stability within which Dominic can pursue his quarry and is always there when Dominic needs guidance and advice. He is such an interesting, complex and highly intelligent character, who is developing well in his role as advisor to his new protege.

Now that I have encountered Dominic Green in two completely diverse missions and am beginning to engage with his creator Layton Green’s unique style of presentation and writing, I am minded to think back to earlier this week, when I came across a copy of The Devil and All His Works , by Dennis Wheatley, who has long been acclaimed as one of the best-selling authors of the occult thriller. This particular non-fiction book sets out to sum up his findings and conclusions about the many forces of darkness, from the evidence of invisible influences on mankind, to the outward manifestations of those beliefs.

Layton presents similarly extensive research, which he then cleverly grafts into great plots, full of action and intrigue; where the attention to detail and the inevitable clashes of cultures, give each storyline sequence a life of its own, in a totally immersing page-turning adventure, full of suspense and intrigue.

I have no hesitation in rating this book, a resounding 5 out of 5

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This book was a review copy, sent to me by the author, Layton Green and as such, was free of charge.

This in no way influenced any comments I may have expressed about the book, in any review I may have compiled. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this review.

 

 

 

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My Thoughts About … ‘Emma’s Stormy Summer’ by Miranda Newboult

August 15, 2011 By 6 Comments

 

Synopsis

 

This Title Is Available From Amazon

“Dad thinks I’m a nuisance” It may be sunny but Emma’s perfect world seems to be unravelling in front of her.

First her friend Becca started being horrible to EVERYONE and now Daddy is ignoring her and acting weird.

Emma can’t help but worry that it is all her fault and as the storm clouds gather over her Dad she feels more and more guilty and responsible.

If only she could get everything back to normal. This summer she realises that growing up can be a rollercoaster and maybe, just maybe, she should relax and enjoy the ride.

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About The Author

Miranda Newboult grew up in East Sussex and now lives five miles from where she was born. She spent most of her childhood with her nose in a book but did manage to find time to go to school at Roedean and then do a degree in English and Related Literature at York University. She now works for Canterbury Christ Church University as a Consultant in Leadership and Management Development and spends the rest of her time looking after her young family and an ever-increasing number of animals. Emma’s Stormy Summer is Miranda’s first novel.

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Miranda says:

“When I was growing up I read books all the time but never dreamed I would write one myself. Books were my escape rather than my reality. I was a child who enjoyed school and my most inspirational teachers were those that taught English and shared my passion for people who existed both on paper and in the imagination.

I am not a fussy reader, many different genres catch my attention, and when I start a book, I always finish it, totally immersed in the story. When I started to write, I experienced something similar. I was nagged and harassed by the story, only finding peace once I had committed the words to paper – I was being pestered to tell the tale. I hope I continue to be for a long time.”

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My Thoughts About The Book

Children’s or YA fiction is not a genre that I would usually read, however, after exchanging messages with Miranda’s publisher, Tannbourne Ltd. who are themselves a newly formed company and have ‘Emma’s Stormy Summer’ as their first published book, they offered to send me a copy to read/review.

Not being one to ever turn down a book, I decided to use the exercise to ascertain just how much children’s literature has moved on since I was a child, as never having had children of my own, I have not had to keep pace with this no doubt, evolving and  changing market.

‘Emma’s Stormy Summer’, is aimed at the 8-12 year age group and from talking with other bloggers I learned that, yes, little girls do still like to read ‘nice’ books and having researched the marketplace came to the conclusion that Miranda is up there with her contemporaries in the genre, dealing as she does, with real life, important and difficult issues in her book, in a sympathetic and engaging way, without being at all patronising or over emotional.

Through Emma, Miranda weaves a story of contemporary family relationships, with their inherently poignant and touching moments, uplifting gentle moments, high drama and humour.

‘Emma’s Stormy Summer’, has captured the joys, fears and uncertainties that surround young girls approaching adolescence, with all their social dynamics and strong themes of family and friendships, especially the special bond and relationship which exists between mother and daughter.

Issues are dealt with in a mature and adult way, with great honesty being the central linchpin of the whole book.

Despite the difficult, often emotional content of the book, the bright cheerful cover, epitomises a child’s innate sense of resilience and their built-in ability to deal with life’s events as they happen, something which is often lost to us in later years.

If the book had to be summed up in a single sentence, I guess it would sound something like…
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“The book is a straightforward read, with challenging content, using direct language and seen from a child’s perspective.”
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A Great Summer Read For Young Girls, Deserves 4 out of 5

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I was invited to read this book by Miranda’s publisher Tannbourne Ltd., themselves a new publisher on the scene.

As such, this copy was provided as a PDF file and was free of charge.

This in no way influenced any comments I may have expressed about the book, in any review I may have compiled. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this review.

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