Tag Archives: fantasy

Novus Dies (The Posterity Doctrine 1) by Schalk Holloway-review

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Novus Dies (The Posterity Doctrine 1) by Schalk Holloway-review & excerpt

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The year is 2364. Robotics and advanced communication technology is failing inexplicably. As if in concert, hostile militant factions are adapting and attacking faster than which the Collective—the preeminent society of the age—can respond.

The epicentre is the Durban Reclamation Zone. After a frightening robot on human attack, husband and wife operator team, Kate and Monty Park, are tasked to investigate. Like all members of the Special Task Force, the Park’s are decorated and retired warfighters with proven track records, and usually only called in when security operations might need heavy hitters.

When the investigation starts unfolding at neck breaking speed, the Parks quickly find themselves outside the Collective perimeter, in areas of the metro that have been long forgotten, or that few even knew existed. To make matters worse, they notice subtle signs that their squad of security robots might be going rogue and they begin to question whether they can trust the hardware that they rely on to protect them.

Assets are destroyed, lives are lost, and before long the military is placed on standby. Throughout the upheaval and chaos, one thing becomes certain: what Kate and Monty Park discover in the next 72 hours will usher humanity into a new era.

••••••

REVIEW: NOVUS DIES is the first instalment in Schalk Holloway’s adult THE POSTERITY DOCTRINE sci-fi, action series set in the year 2364.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Kate and Monty Park) NOVUS DIES is set in a futuristic time period in which artificial intelligence aka AI has evolved into a sentient collective, and their directive may ultimately be to control the human populations. In the early test stages, small anomolies catch the attention of the people in charge but the danger to the human population may be a threat to them all. As a squadron commander, Kate Park will quickly discover that her trio of bots have a mindset of their own, a mindset that may be targeting our story line heroine.

NOVUS DIES is set in a detailed, complex and multi-layered world of possibilities including AI, SI, cyborgenics, sentience, and loss of control. Think Star Trek ‘cyborgs’ meets I,Robot, wherein the ‘collective’, although of one mind, are individuating, acclimating and evolving into something more. NOVUS DIES is an entertaining, interesting and though provoking story of what if and how.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

A flush, covert panel sits at eye level, not far from the apartment’s
front door. To its right are the rec room’s manual light buttons.
Electronics are dark, and every wall opening is sealed by perfectly
fabricated doors and blackout windows. The space is silent—
mandated as such to allow for optimal sleep.
When the Deep Space Atomic Clock broadcasts its second daily
timestamp, Collective society on the 20/35 longitudinal resets to
00:00.
1
Novus Dies
The Otto home automation unit pings its update server from a
back-box behind the left panel. The update package checks out
against the header and security data, and the unit accepts the update
without question. It places all active services into its autonomic
bank and then reboots so fast that no human would have noticed the
downtime. Back online, it retrieves all active services from the
bank, and then switches all the lights in the apartment to full
luminance.
‘What the!’ comes a loud shout from the master bedroom.
The rec room’s newly cataloged furniture and art speak of
contemporary bachelorhood—a spartan and sleek aesthetic, with the
man now stumbling through the doorway the only item that’s
seemingly out of place.
The man shields his eyes with his palms and goes to stand in the
center of the room. Squinting against the brightness, he drops his
hands from his face and flicks one wrist a couple of times. When
nothing happens, he repeats the procedure in different directions:
first to his left, then to his right, and eventually he turns around and
flicks his wrist in the direction he came from. Still there’s no
response.
He starts searching for something and, eventually finding the
half-forgotten manual light buttons next to the Otto’s panel, pumps
them with all the vehemence his exhausted and hungover self can
muster.
At last the Otto switches all the lights off again and the man
lumbers back to his room, mumbling incoherently. When he’s
halfway there, the Otto again switches on all the lights and the man
groans as he arches his back and tugs at his hair. When he starts
moving back toward the manual buttons, the home automation unit
2
Schalk Holloway
quickly switches all the lights off again. The man’s arms shoot out
like a tightrope walker fighting off a wobble, and then he freezes.
The Otto switches all the lights on and off three times in quick
succession.
Furious, the man speeds back to his room, picks up his comms
unit, and seats it in his right ear. ‘Otto, who can I call about this
malfunction?’ The Otto rattles off a few options, but before long the
unit’s gender-neutral robotic drone gets on the man’s nerves and he
arches his back again and claws at his chest. ‘Just call the building
rep!’
Before the call connects, the Otto starts strobing the lights on
and off, and the man rushes back to the rec room, hoping to find
something to vent his frustration on. The Otto doesn’t tell him, but it
hasn’t called the rep. Instead, it found the correct dial tone in the
wild and is merely repeating it incessantly over the man’s comms.
The man lets the Otto cycle through a host of other contacts, only to
get the same grating dial tone with each attempt


 

Schalk Holloway is a subject literature author in the fields of Christian ministry, as well as professional combatives instruction. His first book, ‘Die Groot Storie’, was traditionally published by Struik Christian Media (CSM is the preeminent publisher for Christian books in South Africa), and can be found on the shelves of most South African chain bookstores. ‘The Maul Book’, co-authored by Gavin Coleman, as well as his ‘Schalk’s Little Book Series’, can be found on Amazon. 
In 2022 Schalk suffered a severe injury leading to multiple surgeries and a long period of recovery. Subsequently, he retired from certain instructional and operational environments. He is now enjoying an independent career as novelist. His first novels, ‘The Brooklyn Saga’, are a crossover between psychological thriller and realistic fiction. These books draw inspiration from his extensive experience running interventions and operations in at-risk communities. Schalk is currently working on more titles for his ‘Little Book Series’ as well as the hard and military scifi series, ‘The Posterity Doctrine’.  
Neurodivergence and C/PTSD themes feature strongly in in all Schalk’s tales.
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SCARS OF HIS WRATH (Myth of Omega: Wrath 1) by Zoey Ellis-review

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SCARS OF HIS WRATH (Myth of Omega: Wrath 1) by Zoey Ellis-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 26, 2024

Bound by fate to the man she’s sworn to defy.

Revered for her magical ability, Naya is the most treasured omega in her parents’ empire. Her birth marked the arrival of peace in the land, and her people eagerly await her reign.

But Naya is haunted by a tragedy.

Finding her mate is the key to banishing the shadows plaguing her. Yet no matter how hard she searches, Naya can’t find the one who ignites the profound attraction her mate is destined to arouse.

Then one night, she is stolen.

Akoro, an alpha dominated by vengeance and violence, takes her to a distant land where her powers are useless. A cold-hearted king, he demands she help him conquer her empire.

Naya vows to safeguard her people, but she is horrified when Akoro awakens the primal craving that confirms he is her true mate.

Devastated, she endures his cruelty and growing obsession with her, certain they could never be together.

But Akoro has scars of his own.

His secrets might help her oppose him, but as she digs deeper, the desire between them erupts into an irresistible, heated torment.

••••

REVIEW: SCARS OF HIS WRATH is the first instalment in Zoey Ellis’ adult MYTH OF OMEGA: WRATH dark, erotic, fantasy series focusing on Alpha Akoro, and Omega Naya.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Akoro and Naya) SCARS OF HIS WRATH follows Princess Nayara Andaus aka Naya, a twenty five year old Omega, wielder of powerful magic but a woman without a true mate or a will to move on from the past. Abducted by a stranger from the forest she loves, Naya finds herself a prisoner, tortured and abused, a prisoner who is about to face her future in the guise of Alpha Akoro, a man who is determined to destroy her body and soul. Akoro and his army have set their sights on Naya’s lands, seeking vengeance for sins of the past, sins that continue to destroy the people and lands Akora inhabits. What ensues is the acrimonious relationship between Akoro and Naya, and the fall-out as Naya is about to become a pawn in a war between Akoro and the people Naya loves.

The world building is detailed and dark. The reader is pulled into a desolate landscape where nothing is able to survive, as our heroine struggles to remain herself in spite of what is happening around her including the torture meant to break her will.

The relationship between Akora and Naya is tempestuous at best. Naya is Akoro’ s prisoner, treated with disdain by the man who is about to claim Naya as his mate. Naya is nothing more than the key to Agora’s revenge, and in this, Naya is about to sacrifice to save the people she loves. The $ex scenes are intense and not without questionable consent or tenderness.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters most of whom bow down to Alpha Akoro. Magic is a part of both worlds, and in this, each character is imbued with a speciality and gift that can be used including dark and light magic.

SCARS OF HIS WRATH is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, magic and mayhem. The premise is dark and dramatic; the characters are powerful, magical and determined; the romance is non-existent-Akoro takes from Naya whenever he wants.SCARS OF HIS WRATH ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Archangel’s Lineage by Nalini Singh – Review & Giveaway

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Archangel’s Lineage by Nalini Singh – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Raphael and Elena are experiencing their first ever year of true peace. No war. No horrors of archangelic power. No nightmares given flesh. Until…the earth beneath the Refuge begins to tremble, endangering not only angelkind’s precious and fragile young, but the very place that has held their most innocent safe for eons.

Amid the chaos, Elena’s father suffers a violent heart attack that threatens to extinguish their last chance to heal the bonds between them and make sense of the ruins of their agonizing shared history.

Even as Elena battles grief, Raphael is torn from her side by the sudden disappearance of an archangel. But worse yet is to come. An Ancestor, an angel unlike any other, stirs from his Sleep to warn the Cadre of a darkness so terrible that it causes empires to fall and civilizations to vanish.

This time, even the Cadre itself may not be able to stop a ticking clock that is counting down at frightening speed…

••••••••

Barb’s Review:
Archangel’s Lineage by Nalini Singh is the 16th book in her wonderful Guild Hunter series. Nalini Singh continues to amaze us with another fantastic addition to this series.  It has been ten years since Lijuan died, with the destruction having been rebuilt, and peace around the world. But now all over the world, the land begins to quake under the refuge, with buildings being destroyed, and other violent natural disasters. Jessamy and Vivek work together to uncover what is happening, as they find an old ancient language that might give them answers.

When an Ancient ancestor seems to be awakening from his sleep, Raphael will meet an archangel older than any of them; Marduk. He will explain his thoughts on why the world is falling apart.  Marduk will warn Rapheal and all of the Cadre of a darkness that needs to be fixed, or the future may not survive. All the archangels must work together to find the clues left behind by the old angelic ancestors and how to fix it.

The other part of this story revolves around Elena, whose father has a major heart attack, and may not survive.  She rushes to his bedside, spending time with her stepmother, and their kids, including her own sister, Beth. Elena begins to see signs, such as Beth’s hair turning grey, and the other kids growing up, and realizes that she will outlive all her mortal family and friends.  She is in the middle of keeping an eye on her father, but also dealing with Marduk and his suggestions to stop the destruction.

I love seeing Raphael and Elena together, as I loved their spicy scenes; as well as the love they have for each other.  It was also great to see many of our favorites, such as Illium,Aodhan, Dmitri, Jessamy, Keir, Sharine, Titus, just to name a few;  not to mention all the archangels (Cadre) who must work together to save the world.  Vivek, who is working with Jessamy, seems to play a big part in finding information on the destruction, as he also has help from a very old female vampire underworld leader, Katrina.  Where will this lead in future books?

All of the Cadre, including Elena will need to find the clues for each of them that was once used all those many years before. Marduk only knows so much, but they all will need to bring the parts together, and then Elena with help from Keir to hope that they all will survive. I will not give spoilers, so not to ruin it for you.

What follows was an exciting, intense and emotional last third of the book, with everyone pulling together.  As in just about every book I read from Nalini Singh, I could not put this book down.  I loved having so much time with Elena, with her family, as well as the love between her and Raphael.  As always, Archangel’s Lineage was so very well written by Nalini.  If you are new to the series, you should start where it all began. Nalini Singh is one of my top favorite authors, and if you are not reading her books, you need to start now.

______

Sandy’s Review: ARCHANGEL’S LINEAGE is the sixteenth instalment in Nalini Singh’s adult GUILD HUNTER paranormal, urban fantasy series focusing on Archangel’s, angels, vampires, shifters and hunters. ARCHANGEL’S LINEAGE follows several pathways including the ongoing relationship between Archangel Raphael and his consort Elena, as well as the collapsing infrastructure of the Refuge; a worldwide series of environmental disasters; the early sleep of a troubled Archangel, a the awakening of another, too early in time, and crumbling bonds of Elena’s human family. ARCHANGEL’S LINEAGE should not be read as a stand alone as there are numerous references to previous events and disasters.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives ( Elena and Raphael) ARCHANGEL’S LINEAGE follows in the wake of a series of environmental disasters in each of the Archangel’s strongholds around the globe. It has been approximately ten years since the last war and the events of the Cascade (an event that causes massive power fluctuations and other changes among the members of the Cadre), and in this, reparations and rebuilding have been at the forefront for Raphael and Elena but a meeting of the Cadre reveals an Archangel has chosen to sleep, and another may be responsible for the chaos around the world.

Meanwhile, Elena’s estranged father has suffered a life-threatening heart attack, and our heroine is battling between heart break and remorse. Elena’s father has struggled in the years since the murder of his children, and the death of his beloved wife, and in this, Elena has felt the brunt of her father’s grief, and rejection.

The world building is complex and complicated as the story line references numerous past events, and the possible connections to the current time line. All is not well with Angelkind, and in this, the Cadre of Archangels is struggling to maintain control of the vast territories, and betrayal by some of their own.

The relationship between Elena and Raphael continues to be loving , passionate and seductive. Elena is mortal yet not-Raphael sacrificed himself to save his beloved, a sacrifice that now connects our heroine to the past. The $ex scenes are limited but intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and energetic secondary and supporting characters, most of whom we have met in previous story lines. We are reintroduced to Elena’s extended family, as well as the introduction of Archangel Marduk.

ARCHANGEL’S LINEAGE is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, desperation and devotion, love and acceptance, family and love. The premise is dramatic, detailed, intricate and impassioned; the romance is heated and sentimental; the characters are compelling, authoritative, and dynamic.

Nalini Singh’s publisher is offering a hard copy of Archangel’s Lineage   to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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An Enchanting Case of Spirits by Melissa Holtz – a Review

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An Enchanting Case of Spirits by Melissa Holtz – a Review

 

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Description:
When a fortieth birthday celebration leads to a ghostly visitor, four friends find themselves navigating surprising mysteries and spiritual hijinks, in this clever debut from Melissa Holtz.

Alyssa Mann isn’t adventurous, not since her husband died and she found herself the single mom of a teenage daughter. But there’s no way to avoid celebrating the big 4-0, so when her best friends drag her out for drinks and a tarot reading, she throws caution to the wind and decides to see what the spirits have to say. It’s all fun and games, until she wakes up the next morning with a wicked hangover—and a ghost perched on the edge of her bed.

Sheer panic sends her running to get help from Nick West, the (very attractive) detective who lives next door. When he finds no one inside, Alyssa has to accept that she really did see a ghost. As the dearly departed keep appearing, Alyssa and her friends do their best to learn how to control her newfound power. Trading insults with ghosts, tracking down family heirlooms, and getting closer to the skeptical but helpful Nick is more fun than Alyssa imagined. But when looking into one ghost’s past reveals unexpected—and unwelcome—facts about Alyssa’s late husband’s death, she discovers she just may be in over her head.

 

 

Review:

An Enchanting Case of Spirits by Melissa Holtz is an enchanting debut with a mystery and romantic story. We meet Alyssa Mann, our heroine, who has just turn 40, with a teenage daughter; and still grieves over the accidental death of her husband.  Her two best friends (Lanie and Nina) drag her out for drinks, and they end up visiting a psychic medium for fun. They are all shocked when a ghostly event occurs, connecting Alyssa and the medium, Collette. The following morning, Alyssa wakes up with a hangover and a ghost sitting on the edge of her bed. At first, she is scared and upset, but she quickly realizes that whatever happened the night before, she now has the ability to see and talk to ghosts.

Alyssa realizes she now can see ghosts, who come to her to help them move on; and in a short time, she knows that the ghosts are in limbo and need help to cross over to the other side.  So, Lanie and Nina, as well as Collette work together with Alyssa to solve why the ghosts cannot move on. With the first ghost still hanging around, two more ghosts will eventually appear; especially with ladies working hard to discover how the three deaths (which could include her husband’s accident) are connected.

Alyssa tries to explain to her neighbor, Nick West, who is a detective (and a hunk), about some clues the ladies have discovered, with help from the ghosts.   Nick, who is attracted to Alyssa, refuses to listen to her suggestions, as he doesn’t believe that she knows something.   But after he gets some facts about those deaths, Nick will slowly begin his own investigations, which will lead him to realize that she does see the dead.  Nick will get his partner to research the deaths of four people locally, which will include the mayor.

What follows is Alyssa, Collette and even Lanie/Nina have a new purpose in their lives, in helping those to move on.  Alyssa and Collette learn to control their power, and their interactions with ghosts were lots of fun; with lots of witty banter with the mischievous spirits. There was a number of intriguing twists and turns, which will also have her discover the truths that also include her husband’s death. To say too much more, would ruin the fun, which you need to read.

An Enchanting Case of Spirits was a fun, delightful, humorous, emotional mystery, with a paranormal element. I also enjoyed the romantic slow build relationship between Alyssa and Nick.  I loved her friends, Lanie, Nina and Collette.  An Enchanting Case of Spirits was so very well written by Melissa Holt.  I really enjoyed reading this book, as it was fun, easy to read and entertaining.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden – Review & Giveaway

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A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
A prophecy of death. A weapon of hope. A sacrifice of love.

Arwen Valondale is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren’s Bay. Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood.

Kane’s presence is unavoidable as he travels with Arwen and her friends to seek the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon inextricably tied to her fate and the future of the realm. Even an uneasy truce proves difficult as Arwen fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane, who is willing to become darkness itself to protect her.

As Arwen faces creatures, foes, and magic beyond her wildest imaginings, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae king Lazarus. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves.

 

 

Review:

A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden is the 2nd book in her The Sacred Stones series. After the climatic ending from A Dawn of Onyx, Arwen, Kane, Griffin, Mari and the rest of their group escape to find a sanctuary, which leads them to Citrine, in hope of finding some allies to defeat the Fae King Lazarus.  Arwen and Kane are both emotionally destroyed, after shocking revelations with Arwen discovering her new found powers, and her angry at Kane’s betrayal.  Arwen (the last full fae blooded born) who is destined to kill Lazarus, accepting her fate in a prophecy meant to be her doom.

Arwen has no choice to travel with Kane, since she is with the remaining group; Kane continues to protect Arwen, always able to handle her anxiety and keeping her calm. They do have an uneasy truce, with the prophecy on the horizon, and the group determined to find the Blade of the Sun; which is a weapon that would be able to use to kill King Lazarus.

The truce between Arwen and Kane is difficult for both of them, as Kane still has strong feelings for Arwen, including protecting her; she fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane.  In a short time, with the danger escalating when they cannot find the Blade, the chemistry and heat between them eventually opens their true feelings of love.  The side characters were very good, equally as good as Kane and Arwen. I did love Kane and Arwen together, but I also like Griffin and Mari together.

What follows is intense, non- stop action, as they travel through other kingdoms in the hunt for the Blade; including the journey through the cave and island. The last third of the book was full of adventure, danger, intrigue, fast-paced, twists and turns.  I was unable to put the book down, as it kept my attention throughout. It was also emotional, as well as steamy; with Kane and Arwen finally being together.

As we reach the last ¼ of the book, Arwen and Kane’s last battle was epic, with another betrayal that changes things.  The epilogue was wild and crazy, with a cliffhanger that was complex and an ending that threw us for a loop.   A Promise of Peridot is an exciting, non-stop action filled, with twists that had me unable to put the book down.  A Promise of Peridot was so very well written by Kate Golden. With that intense and wild ending, I can’t wait to read the final book in this trilogy.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence – a Review

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The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence – a Review

 

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Description:
We fight for the people we love. We fight for the ideas we want to be true.

Evar and Livira stand side by side and yet far beyond each other’s reach. Evar is forced to flee the library, driven before an implacable foe. Livira, trapped in a ghost world, has to recover her book if she’s to return to her life. While Evar’s journey leads him outside into the vastness of a world he’s never seen, Livira’s destination lies deep inside her own writing, where she must wrestle with her stories in order to reclaim the volume in which they were written.

And all the while, the library quietly weaves thread to thread, bringing the scattered elements of Livira’s old life – friends and foe alike – back together beneath new skies.

Long ago, a lie was told, and with the passing years it has grown and spread, a small push leading to a chain of desperate consequences. Now, as one edifice topples into the next with ever-growing violence, it threatens to break the world. The secret war that defines the library has chosen its champions and set them on the board. The time has come when they must fight for what they believe, or lose everything.

The Library Trilogy is about many things: adventure, discovery, and romance, but it’s also a love letter to books and the places where they live. The focus is on one vast and timeless library, but the love expands to encompass smaller more personal collections, and bookshops of all shades too.

 

 

Review:

The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence is the 2nd book in his The Library Trilogy. The Library Trilogy revolves around the Athenaeum, the legendary timeless library, such as; adventure, discovery, romance; also who controls access to knowledge or if information should be revealed.  The first half of the book was slow, with not a lot happening; however, the last half perked up a lot. It was a journey across various dimensions along the way. Though there were many characters in the book, the leads still revolved around Livira and Evar. 

Livira, who is a librarian, is now trying to find her way home to her family, as well find Evar again.  The relationship between Livira and Evan began in the first book, with both feeling love between them, but fear they will lose connections to each other in this multiversal time jump fantasy. Livera is also trying to find a book she wrote, which could possibly be a true threat to the library’s existence.  Evar, who was trapped with his adopted siblings for a very long time, being raised by the Assistant and Soldier.  He is determined to find Livira, and together with Evar’s sister, Clovis, who was an amazing and tough warrior, and his brother, as they manage to move forward; meeting up with other people in the huge library, with different walls. 

There were a number of new characters that played a part in this story.   Celcha, was born into slavery with her brother Hellet, as they both were part of a dig, finding lost books. A librarian manages to save them, and take both of them with her as they head into the Library world. Celcha was very good, as she was intelligent, tough, unyielding, and willing to fight. Hellet manages to create something that could destroy the library.  I really liked Arpix, who is a librarian, who also tutored Livira, and found himself falling for Clovis; with her being protective of him. Yute, deputy head librarian, also returns closer to the end.  I loved Wentworth (huge cat, who can find anyone), who was a terrific addition to the book.

I do not want to give spoilers, because you need to concentrate on what is happening, as we get closer to the end. This is a difficult review to write, as the whole concept was about books to reveal secrets, knowledge, freedom, as noted previously, as noted previously, the first half of the book was very slow.  The last half was exciting, with everyone coming together to make decisions on what to do.  The time will come when they will all decide if they will fight for what they believe or loose it all.

The Book That Broke the World was a different kind of fantasy, set in a huge immense library, with many chambers, with those who were trapped inside. The library had its own mechanism, with protectors of history, and the power of knowledge from those special books. The overall theme is knowledge, power, responsibility and war.  The Book that Broke the World was a complex and intriguing story line that was well written by Mark Lawrence. However, I will note that I have loved a number of series by Lawrence, and this book continues to be bit slow for most of the first half, but it was an exciting end.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Holy Man’s Sinner (Blood Coven World 3) by TM Smith-review

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The Holy Man’s Sinner (Blood Coven World 3) by TM Smith-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 2, 2024

The Sinner

Elisabeta is a vampire party girl. But when the revolving-door males, the dangerous craving for blood, and the indiscriminate sexual encounters no longer make her happy, she looks for something more in life. What she finds is surprising.

The Holy Man

While in a sacred shrine, Elisabeta contemplates her future. She meets Nelo, the spiritual leader of the vampire breed, but he’s nothing like an Earther holy man. He likes his blood fresh and his sex hot.They are an unlikely match.From the moment Nelo sees Elisabeta, he is struck by her beauty and sympathetic with her desire to change her life.

But Do opposites really attract?

••••

REVIEW: THE HOLY MAN’S SINNER is the third novella in TM Smith’s adult BLOOD COVEN WORLD erotic, paranormal/fantasy series-a spin off set in the author’s Blood Coven Series. This is vampire Elisabeth, and vampire holy man Nelo’s story line. THE HOLY MAN’S SINNER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines or series is revealed where necessary. Elisabeta is Firebrand Rein’s sister (The Firebrand #1).

SOME BACKGROUND: Thousands of years earlier, a powerful group of witches and warlocks, in an effort to protect the human race, divided the world creating three realms: Earth, Scath and Darque. The Blood Coven series focuses on the fight to keep the worlds separated in the face of some powerful people hoping to destroy the people of earth.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Elisabeta and Nelo) THE HOLY MAN’S SINNER follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Nelo is vampire a holy man, a Cruor, and as such he finds himself with a new guest, a female vampire name Elisabeta, a woman who is struggling with her present and her past. Hoping for absolution for her sins, Elisabeta begins her journey with the vampire holy man, the Cruor with whom she will fall in love but all is not well at the Strigodierna Shrine where Elisabeth and Nelo are currently thriving, as our heroine finds herself targeted by the women in charge.

The world building is limited as most of the story line focuses on the building and highly sexual relationship, a relationship questioned by the Carnemia, a group of cloistered females who serve the holy and our story line hero.

The relationship between Elisabeta and Nelo is one of immediate attraction. Elisabeta struggles with her direction in life, a life of sin as she considers her future. Nelo is a man, who wants our story line heroine but a man whose duty is to administer to the vampires in his territory. The $ex scenes are raw, erotic and intense.

THE HOLY MAN’S SINNER is a story of instant attraction, need and frenzy. The fast paced, character driven premise is edgy; the characters are spirited and sassy.

Reading Order and Previous review The Blood Coven World
The Lawgiver’s Firebrand
The Firebrand’s Succubus

Reading Order and Previous Reviews from The Blood Coven Series
The Firebrand
The Demon’s Fire
The Satyr’s Guilt
The Vampire’s Thirst
The Phoenix

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Social Media: Website/ Facebook/ Instagram/ Amazon Author/

A master’s degree in English and a doctorate in administration led me to education. After retiring from my career as a teacher and principal, I settled in to write something more creative than lesson plans on split infinitives and inner-school memos on noise in the hallway.

My first novel was the romantic mystery comedy romp Affection for Crime. My plans were to make this Maggie Hall book the first in a series about a quirky columnist and her friends and lovers. That may still happen, but interest in a different genre has changed my direction.

I am now living with vampires, demons, ylves, mages, and other magical beings who keep me awake at night with their tales of love and adventure. Taking great interest in their lives, I began a paranormal romance series with alpha males who aren’t always nice and females who have no problem keeping them in line.

I have learned much about the difference between writing a series and writing a stand-alone book. First, get a fantastic writing software program. Second, keep great notes. And third, do not think book one is complete until you have finished book five. These have been hard-learned lessons, but I am a hardheaded author.

Here are more orts, scraps, and fragments from my life. (Thank you, Virginia Woolf and Shakespeare.) I moved from sunny Las Vegas to the less-than-sunny Pacific Northwest. Here I have adventures with my daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters who also moved to the area. I also enjoy my membership at Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN), a local organization that supports the arts and offers classes and events with eleven different studios where a welcoming community of artists praise each other’s efforts. It was at BARN where my critique group began. With equal time given to in-depth comments on each other’s works, snarky remarks, and laughter, we have now been together over five years. (from the Author’s website)

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Lightningborn by Julie Kagawa – a Review

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Lightningborn by Julie Kagawa – a Review

 

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Description:
In a world in the clouds where only the rich own dragons, a poor boy named Remy finds a wild baby dragon—believed to be extinct—and becomes the focus of an evil pirate’s vengeance.

REMY spends his days trying to survive the mean streets of Cutthroat Wedge—one of the many islands floating in the gravitational pull of the magical Maelstrom raging below. But his life changes forever when a violent storm brings a baby dragon to his doorstep, and he feels a bond he has never felt with anyone. Remy names the dragon Storm and vows to protect this new friend, no matter the cost. 

GEM longs for the day when she call herself a true mage. That is, if she can convince her teachers and peers that just because she’s a princess doesn’t mean she’s lazy and spoiled. But when Gem learns that the floating islands that make up her kingdom are rapidly sinking into the Maelstrom, she makes it her mission to save her world. Against the king’s wishes, she accesses forbidden research and discovers the secret to saving humanity may lie in a True Dragon—a dragon capable of intelligent thought and able to cast and use magic. But True Dragons are extinct . . . aren’t they?

Remy’s and Gem’s lives will never be the same when their fates collide, thanks to Storm. With an evil pirate mage named Jhaeros determined to claim the rare dragon for himself, the two must learn to trust in each other as they team up with a shifty pirate captain and her crew, stand together against impossible odds, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

 

 

Review:

Lightningborn by Julie Kagawa is the first book in her new Storm Dragons series. The story revolves around two main characters; Remy, a street urchin who survives the dangerous streets of Cutthroat Wedge and Gem, a princess, who lives a life of privilege.

We meet young Remy, who has no family left, living in the family’s small poor house, and finding ways to to survive. He often hangs out at the local pub and talks to Bart, an old storyteller who shares his stories about dragons. Remy’s life will change forever, when a powerful magical storm will drop a baby dragon by his doorstep. He names the baby dragon, Storm, and quicky he feels a bond and will do everything to protect the dragon.  But Remy needs to hide Storm, as an evil pirate, Jhaeros is turning the town upside down to find the dragon.

Gem, is a princess, who attends the College of Magic, hoping to become a true mage. She overhears that the floating islands that make up her kingdom are slowly sinking. While in the library, Gem finds some details about Ancient Ones, which could help restore the magic. Determined to get more information, Gem, without her father’s approval goes in search to find Sir Bartello, the last person who had contact with a True Dragon. Can Sir Bartello help fix the storm crystals to save the kingdom? Gem takes her white dragon, Cloud on an adventure to seek help.

Remy does his best to help hide Storm, and his constantly finding food for him. Bart will find Remy and Storm, and decide to help them, bringing them to his home, which has caves to hide Storm.  But with the pirate Jhaeros offering large sums of money, the danger escalates, and when Remy learns that the pirate is going after Bart, he knows he has to save him, which would mean giving up Storm.

Gem is heading for Cutthroat Wedge with Cloud, and when a terrible storm hits, a pirate ship beckons her to come to safety, where she will meet Captain Cutlass.  The Captain (a lady pirate) is very fair, and is willing to help Gem find Sir Bertello, knowing who Gem is (princess) and her help will get her some gifts, after this adventure is over.   When they get to the island, they learn that Jhaeros has captured the baby dragon as well as Bart (Sir Bertello), as they just left. Gem begs Captain Cutlass to follow the ship, Windshark, and Remy who is nearby, offers his help, as his bond can help find Storm.

What follows is an exciting, intense and wild ride to rescue Storm and Bart.  Gem and Remy will slowly trust each other, to save Storm as well as Bart.  Together with Gem discussing with Captain Cutlass a plan for Remy and her to get on the ship, while the Captain finds ways to distract those on the Windstark.  It was a wild ride, that had us holding our breath.  To say too much more would be spoilers, as you need to read this book to see what happens.

Lighningborn was an exciting start to the first book in the Storm Dragons series; it was fast paced action and suspense throughout.  I did like Remy; but I liked Gem even more; she was not only brave, determined with a strong personality.  I loved Storm. Lighntingborn was so very well written by Julie Kawaga. I look forward the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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