The Grinkle Nonk: A Morality Tale
by D E McCluskey
The Grinkle Nonk is a myth, an urban legend, folklore made up to get children in on time, to get them to go to sleep at night, or to eat up all their greens. The legend tells of a ferocious beast that lives in the forest. It eats naughty children, and picks off unsuspecting, or lost hikers. It is a wild, dangerous animal… but it is JUST a legend, isn’t it? Harper is new in town. She hasn’t made any friends yet, and fears that she will always be an outside in this strange new world. Until she meets a surprising new friend, one who is a loner, and an outcast, just like her. However, there are eyes watching this new friendship, envious eyes…
Robin's Review: What a quirky little tale this story is but wait for the last pages. Omg! D E McCluskey you got me!
In this tale of urban legend McCluskey’s writing style is fantastic, in the sense that you can “feel” the story like you are there. The plot travels well, the characters are bright and imaginative. There are mind bending descriptive passages, sweet and fanciful, yet horrific sad twisty turns abound.
The Grinkle Nonk is a morality tale from the dark mind of D E McCluskey, author of Z: A Love Story, and Mutant Superhero Zombie Killing Disco Cheerleaders from Outer Space (with Uzis)
Apocalypse: A Zombie Thriller
by Hayley Anderton & Laura Swift
The virus has arrived. A deadly virus that destroys humanity. A virus that replaces the living with creatures that crave human flesh. As the human race dwindles, an unlikely group of young survivors battle against the odds to stay alive and avoid joining the ranks of the undead. Follow Cassie as she desperately searches for her brother; Heidi as she tries to cope with the consequences of her actions; and Ginge as she takes on a new role of keeping everyone alive. Lives will be lost. The army of the dead will keep on growing. Welcome to the apocalypse.
Robin's Review: Cassie, Luke, Heidi, Eliza, Poppy, and Rob all go to the same school. When the outbreak starts, they are separated but try to get back to each other. Picking up Toby, Rori, Heidi, Eliza, Gemma, and Warren along the way.
They make their way to their friends’ farm where Ginge, Hannah, Billy and Cara live.
Here I go again:
This is what I call a cozy zombie apocalypse story. Meaning I could read this again and again, it was that entertaining. It was fast paced with bits of action and a little gore but a quick and satisfying read.
The characters were your average snarky young adults with some good one liners. I liked how they understood that it was a zombie apocalypse and went with the flow. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
Zombie Tips:
Doors won’t hold forever.
Always search for weapons.
“Time to adopt the mindset and move with the times.”
Don’t make noise so that the rotters pinpoint your location and trap you.
Of course, hit them in the head seems to work.
Close the door behind you so no one can sneak up on you.
Always collect food as you go when given the chance.
“This might be the end of the world. We’ve got to stick together now.”
Zombie Apocalypse Rules:
“Number one. Nobody goes out alone. Secondly, every single one of us needs to be armed. And thirdly…” His eyes grew dark. “Ginge did the right thing by Gemma. We all need to be prepared for more scenarios like this one. If anyone is bitten…we don’t hesitate. We don’t wait. We put the sorry bastard out of their misery.”
Favorite Lines:
“Wow, she’s got some impressive teeth on her…do you not feed her or something?” Heidi grinned to herself. “Did she bite off more than she could chew?”
“Haven’t you heard? The only people who survive the apocalypse are the psychos. And usually, the ones with a sarcastic sense of humor.”
“God, I’m so out of breath. If I’d known the apocalypse was coming, I might have done some more cardio.”
“This is the bloody apocalypse, Heidi. I wouldn’t call this the optimum environment for chilling out.’’
“This isn’t a bloody field trip!”
“We don’t know when we’ll be able to eat next. I doubt that the rotters will leave Tesco alone just for our convenience…”
“You did what you could in the moment you were given. That’s enough.”
“Like after you watch a horror film at a sleepover and then you can’t even face going to the bathroom?” “Oh God, I’m glad someone else gets it. I’ve needed to pee since dinner.”
“We have to plan for a new future. Forget everything you had planned. Forget university. We’re not students anymore. We’re hunters, fighters, survivors.” Eliza sniffed. “Not sure what employers would think if I put that on my CV.”
Next book in this series will be released March 31, 2022
It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story.
#horror #humorous #action #adventure #romance #dystopian #sciencefiction #fantasy
TheRaged
by Jacqueline Druga
The good of the many versus the good of the few.
John Fichner is past his prime. He has one more chance to achieve his dream of playing in the major leagues, so he leaves his farm for open tryouts in Pittsburgh. But his dreams are trampled when the city is hit with a biological attack. The weapon causes a viral outbreak that spreads out of control and turns its victims into mindless, raging killers.
Pittsburgh is quickly shut down. Now, John must find his way through a sea of death and get out before it's too late.
This was based around my old stomping ground in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. It was easy to imagine the places the author was describing. The plot was strong with an easy-to-read style writing. The characters were well thought out and everyday kind of people that were put in impossible situations. This story is before, during and after the apocalypse. I am starting a new genre, and this fits perfectly. A cozy zombie apocalypse story which means it’s quick, easy to read, plot driven comfy reading.
Horror
Science Fiction
Pre-Apocalypse
Apocalypse
Post-Apocalypse
Dystopian
Humor
Young Adult
A Heart Freely Given
By Annette Alex
Heart Freely Given is a stand alone novella.
Unlucky at love, vampire Greta Greyson considers that to be her lot in life. Her past
relationships had all gone up in flames. No more bad romances for her.
After a promising promotion, Greta holds a top position in the most prominent household in the
world. She will do whatever it takes to succeed and bury her shameful past in the hard, cold
ground.
Sent on a special mission to find Bren Jacobi, human leader of the former Resistance Against
Vampires, but what Greta finds is a powerful mutual attraction with Bren.
Human/vampire relationships are forbidden, but like moths to a flame, they are irresistibly drawn
to each other. After Bren’s new offer of employment has him living in the same estate as Greta, they can’t get enough of each other.
Faced with exposure, and other heartbreaking pitfalls, Greta will do whatever it takes to protect
the man she loves.
I really loved this book and found it to be a great read, but who doesn't love a great taboo story about humans and vampires. The characters are sexy and their relationships are complex. The plot is fast paced and full of action, it had me reaching for the next page flip.
Buy the Series
Blood Bonded to an Elder SeriesThief of BloodThief of HeartThief of Soul
The Girl in the Storm
(A Season of Angels)
by Christopher Stanfield
Could you bear the cost that it demands?
Seventeen-year-old Genevieve Reidell loves to paint, and values her closest friends above all, but when a gunman terrorizes her high school, her near-reckless bravery sets her on a path that will change the entire course of her life. Her best friend is shot and dying but when Genevieve holds her, the bleeding stops and the wounds close. But when she tries to save another friend, she can’t. Overcome with guilt Genevieve struggles to understand. But when a stranger arrives at her home with a mysterious book and an ominous warning, she learns about her destiny. Angels have protected her, but the time has come to unravel the mysteries that have haunted her for years. Genevieve must learn to harness and control her gifts and accept that whatever she does might not be enough. The Devil must be stopped, and Genevieve is ready to walk into the storm. She’s cheated death before, but can she save herself again without losing those she loves?
A very enticing, thorough story from beginning to end with a fascinating take on an age-old scenario of good versus evil. It was full of gripping page turning suspense. The story was so refreshing and descriptive, the characters were realistic and well thought out. What an exciting first book in the series. I really enjoy Stanfield’s writing and look forward to anything else he may write in future. I would recommend this series.
She Hunts in Shadow – A Season of Angels Novella
She Hunts in Shadow” takes places between Chapter 15 and Chapter 16 of “The Girl in the Storm”
The Woman in Darkness (A Season of Angels Book 2)
The Song of Shattered Grace – A Season of Angels Novella
Elegy (A Season of Angels Book 3)
The Soul Within
by Toni Davis
Do you believe in life after death?
How about multiple personalities?
Have you ever heard the saying, “you’ve been here before"?
"The Soul Within” when you think you know someone.
Do you believe in reincarnation? Tasha didn’t at first. This was a quick and easy read. It was a fast-paced short story involving a couple and how their souls were intertwined with others from the past.
While it was a short story, it did have an intriguing plot with a twist. The author leaves the reader interested in what comes next. Hopefully she will expand this into more stories.
Fatal Belief: A Murder Mystery Novel (The Kanke Killings Trilogy Book 2)
by Kumar Kinshuk
In Ranchi there are Multiple murders. Multiple suspects. A serial killer is on the loose. Can Vishal apprehend the killer?
Kanke has had multiple murders and mayhem. The police are in a tizzy. There is a genius serial killer on the loose, threatening the hell out of the lives of every person at Ranchi.
Kanke has a psychiatric hospital. The hospital has a brilliant psychoanalyst who helps the police with the case. His Nurse, Eva Black, is a British citizen who travels from London to India and begins her work routine in Kanke.
Would Eva find a mentor in Kanke? Can she find love and belonging in a new country? Can Eva help the police and the psychoanalyst with their investigations into the serial killing case? Can Amrita save Alka from her depression?
The author has improved over his previous work, it was action packed and had a twisted plot. Overall enjoyed the book
The Escape
by Matthew Slater
A drug deal, a betrayal, and a monumentous fall from grace.
In Sovereign City, Bryan Wattson is a big shot. He had it all until his friend and business partner, Tony shoots him and leaves him to take the fall for drug trafficking. He is sentenced to 30 years. After 10 years his buddy, Phil pulls a whopper and breaks him out of prison.
He has only one thing on his mind…revenge.
So he comes up with a plan to get back at his betrayer.
This story was fast paced and full of action. It keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next.
Antonios Restraint: The Caretta Brothers by Denise T Ford
Maria is a kind and caring 1st year medical doctor with a past that continues to haunt her to this day. Because of physical and emotional abuse in the past her scars have shaped who she is. She is not ready for a relationship let alone have time for one.
Antonio is a handsome and arrogant playboy who has become tired of the lifestyle and the one-night stands. While visiting his brother in the hospital he runs into Maria, who is treating his brother after he’s been stabbed, she is gorgeous but won’t give him the time of day.
It will take incredible restraint and a good deal of patience for Antonio to break down Maria’s barriers, but also to gain her trust. Will Maria let him get close enough to love her, the way she truly deserves?
This isn’t just a love story, this is a story of healing, growing and empowerment with a connection between characters that grows stronger. The characters struggle with issues, that are very real in the world today. I was able to sympathize with Maria’s struggle and her ability to succeed.
Tropical Love
(Postscript Island #0)
by R.S. Jonesee
A second chance love story set on a resort island.
So, they meet fall in love and yada yada… nope he is left with a ring, heartbroken, and giving up on love. Never again. Kingman Sinclair proposes to his love, Francesca Goodwin but she turns him down leaving him for Hollywood. But after 18 years they met up again on a resort island called Postscript. Where will this lead them? Will the truth come out about why she really left him?
This is a really entertaining and funny story. I liked that it was a second chance love story which makes it all the more believable. I would definitely recommend this book.
