Tag Archives: indie author

Daughters of the Oak By Becky Wright

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Book Review

Daughters of the oak

By Becky Wright

Thriller. Suspense.

3 Stars

A Witchy Thriller.

The English Civil War. The Royalists of King Charles I, and Cromwell’s Parliamentarians, battle, both eager to lay claim to a tattered country, where life has become cheap and death trivial.

Though, for the lowly commoner, a greater, far more devious, war rages. It threatens the souls of the weak, timid and needy. Seeking refuge in the Lord’s word, God fearing folk employ the skills of one man, the Witchfinder. His success speaks of his talent, to seek out, punish and rid the countryside of Witches, the Devil’s Whores.

2016 – A paranormal team are called to investigate, as poltergeist activity brings terror to one family. Under the cover of darkness, in silent suburbia, an endless night of battle against evil ensues, until finally, a new day dawns.

I appreciated the classic witch trials tale of this story, and especially loved the way it all came together. Even so, I felt there was a little too much obscurity in the backstory. An appropriate storytelling technique, especially in this genre, I found it disjointed rather than suspenseful.
If you love a creepy, witchy tale, read this. Despite the flaws, it was worth the time.

Happy Reading 🙂

Fir Lodge: The First in the Restarter Series by Sean McMahon

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Book Review
Fir Lodge: The First in the Restarter Series

By Sean McMahon

4 Stars

You had me at Time Travel

If time shattered, taking away everything you loved, how far would you go to get it all back?…

Arriving at a lodge in Norfolk for a long weekend retreat, a group of friends meet for a thirtieth birthday celebration.

Before the weekend is over, five of them will die.

Trapped in a thirty-three-hour time-loop, only Hal and Kara have the ability to alter fate, and prevent the deaths of their friends.

But in order to unravel the secrets hidden within their own past, they must first learn how to adapt to the new rules of their reality.

Time, however, is a relentless force. One which will stop at nothing to ensure that events unfold exactly as destiny dictates.

With time no longer on their side, Hal and Kara will have to decide just how far they are willing to go to free themselves from their perpetual prison, and exactly what they are prepared to sacrifice to defeat an enemy that has already won.

Only one thing is certain…

Every action has a consequence.

Fir Lodge is a time travel adventure thriller, set amidst the unlikely backdrop of Norfolk, England.

Join Hal and Kara, as they attempt to restart the past, to change their future.

I am a sucker for anything time travel-related, so when I heard about Fir Lodge, by Sean McMahon I didn’t even read the blurb, I just dove right in.

A little slow to start, this tale picks up with new twists on old ideas that keeps you turning pages in the hopes of discovering the rules along with Kara and Hal.

Laugh-out-loud moments meld with suspenseful anticipation as we wonder just what is happening, and what happened to put our unlikely heroes in this predicament. The answer to what happened was a surprise twist that added another element to the tale and truely bolstered the tale into superb.

Sad I didn’t learn the answers to the universe in the end, I’m excited to get into book 2 where I hope to learn more, as well as see a darker side to the strange powers one might receive when they meet an untimely death.

Happy Reading 🙂

The Hashna Stone By Anna Fox

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Book Review

The Hashna Stone

By Anna Fox

YA. Fantasy.

4 Stars

A fabulous, Classic Fantasy tale For all.

Dalan, a six-teen-year-old orphan, can’t wait for the day he can leave the orphanage and return to his hometown to find the truth behind his father’s death. He thinks he’s found the way to escape his life as a poor orphan when he finds a bright red gemstone in the middle of the woods. Instead, it puts his life at risk.

He hopes the gemstone will provide a way to go back to the wealthy lifestyle he knew as a commander’s son, but the suspicious magic it contains keeps anyone from buying it. Not only does it fail to yield riches, but it haunts him with dreams telling him to take the gemstone further than he’s ever traveled: Hashna.

Dalan has never visited the country that is home to the tiny, green-eyed people who filled the gemstone with magic, but when winged beasts armed with sharp talons and teeth—who are supposed to be mythical—attack him, he is driven to take the gemstone to Hashna to find answers.

The gemstone turns out to play a vital part in the affairs of the entire county, and Dalan is charged with its safety. Dalan sees the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps and gain fame and glory from the task. But his quest for recognition may be the downfall of a country.

This was just a great, classic, fun story. I especially appreciated the flaws of Dalan, how at times you just wanted to slap him. He was so real and allowed for some great character development that left me rooting for him in a way I seldom do so consciously.

I look forward to more from Ms. Fox!

Happy Reading 🙂

The Descent Series

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The Descent Series

by S. M. Reine

A must-read for hunter-style tales, and kick@ss heroines

4.5 Stars

DESTINED TO BE A WEAPON. Elise Kavanagh is good at one thing: killing demons, angels, and gods. For years, she was the death that supernatural creatures feared. More myth than woman, she walked the Earth as the embodiment of vengeance.

DENYING HER DESTINY. Elise wants to retire with with the man who has long protected her body and mind. James Faulkner is a powerful witch, and the only one she trusts to protect her identity. Together, they go into hiding and try to become normal people…whatever that means.

DESTINY WON’T BE DENIED. It’s not easy to retire when you were born to be a killing machine. Old enemies still hold bitter grudges against Elise. The demon overlord of her new home isn’t happy to have the Godslayer hiding out in her territory. And there are still gods that need to be killed…

ONLY ONE WAY OUT. Elise must descend into the infernal to become the very thing she’s spent most of her life fighting: a powerful demon that feeds upon human flesh. A creature that might survive slaying God.

THE COMPLETE DESCENT SERIES
1. Death’s Hand
2. The Darkest Gate
3. Deadly Hearts (short story)
4. Dark Union
5. Damnation Marked
6. Death Scream (short story)
7. Dire Blood
8. Defying Fate
9. Dying Night (short story)
10. Paradise Damned

Elise is one of the most badass characters I have ever read. If you love kickass female leads, this is your series. Not only does the series go for seven books, but The Ascent Series further follows Elise’s journey. If you’re ready to get invested in a great adventure, these books are for you.

A bit sociopathic, I found Elise satisfying to read about. No frills. No nonsense. She just goes after it full-tilt. And after everything she’s been through, her attitude is wholly warranted, not to mention necessary for the world she’s involved in.

The secondary characters were all likable and believable as well. Get ready to have your heart torn and stomped (but n the best way, of course).

The pacing of the series was fantastic. Each book gives us just a little bit more about the broader picture, and when we find out whose side everyone is really on– well, just wait for it! While the origin of it all felt a bit trivial when it first comes up, in hindsight, it’s the ultimate story-starter. What else could have set this all in motion?

I’m an origin story lover, so Book 6: Defying Fate was my favorite. When the shoe drops about James’ history, the jaw will hit the floor, guaranteed.

Angels, and demons and God play significant character roles throughout, making this a niche genre not done as often as many others. Another reason to read this series. Get out of the box a bit! You won’t be disappointed!

Happy Reading 🙂
CMM

Comment with your current, or favorite reads. I tend to review only indie authors, but I read ALL books! Tell me what’s in your library.

 

Book Review: Echo Volume 4: The Last Edge of Darkness, by Kent Wayne

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Book Review

Echo Volume 4: The Last Edge of Darkness, by Kent Wayne

SciFi. Dystopian. Military.

5 stars.

A perfect conclusion to a fantastic story.

From the first, I was caught in Mr. Kent Wayne’s world of Echo. I am a sucker for SciFi military drama, and this one pushed those boundaries and added elements not typically delved into at this level. I appreciated that, though I wonder if many might find it preachy. But those people are not my problem 😉 I bring it up only because this is a review, and if you’re prone to being angry for others talking about their way that’s not your way, well, you decide.

Atriya is pushed like he’s never been, and rather than become a gregariously drawn-out beat down, it only instills the magnitude of what’s happening. I just want to talk abou tthis book with everyone. Read it. Let’s have a conversation. It’s exactly how I felt after reading Seven Surrenders and The Will to Battle by Ada Palmer. Concepts that stretch my worldview, that make me think on what I know and make me question and seek.

There are no many things to say, but I won’t add spoilers to a review, so just read this series, then get back to me. Check out all my highlights from this book on my Goodreads profile.

Happy Reading 🙂