Flower of Memory: An Amaranth Prequel
by David M. Snow
An underwater ark that shelters the last remaining survivors. A young doctor tormented by his past. A mysterious power that could drive them into madness.
A cataclysmic Flood has forced the survivors to retreat into an intergenerational ark, secluded from the world they have always known. But the wait is insufferable in the abyss of the Great Ocean. More than a century, heavy with silence, has passed.
The surface is but a timeworn dream. A forgotten memory.
But Skyler Goldberg is not ready to give up. Even if it means losing everything.
Can a single man show the Archeans the path to redemption in a world abandoned by its creator?
Flower of Memory is the prequel of the dystopian science-fiction series Amaranth. Fans of the TV series The 100 and the Snowpiercer will enjoy every page!
Robin's Review: This is such a freaking cool story. It's a refreshing change to the science fiction/post-apocalyptic genre. I loved every part of it, the plot, the world building, the characters, and the writing. It was a great read. I highly recommend this book.
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.
Amaranth: Amaranth #1
Book 1 of 1: Amaranth
This title will be released on October 19, 2022.
#dystopian #sciencefiction #thriller #action #mystery #suspense
Bright Eyes: A Kunoichi Tale
Book 2 of 2: Seasons of the Sword
by David Kudler
Can one girl stop a killer?
The future of Japan hangs in the balance, and it's up to a girl who likes to climb to save the day.
Two armies have descended on the Full Moon, and the war that has torn Japan apart for over a century threatens to destroy Lady Chiyome's school for young shrine maidens (and assassins).
In this thrilling sequel to Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale, Risuko must face warlords, samurai, angry cooks, a monster in the hills, the truth about her father, a spy among the kunoichi...
And a murderer.
Someone kills a Takeda lieutenant, staging it to look like suicide. Can Risuko figure out who would do such thing?
And can she keep it from happening again?
An exciting and imaginative story that continues to follow the main character, Kano Murasaki, called Risuko (Squirrel) in sixteenth-century Japan.
This is an entertaining coming of age tale with some lovable characters that you can’t help but root for and invest your time cheering them on. The world building is rich and thoroughly engrossing with such descriptive detail that you can just “see” everything so clearly.
I really enjoyed this book and Mr. Kudler’s writing style. I recommend this series whole heartedly.
It was my pleasure to receive a free advance review copy of this book but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story.
#teen #youngadult #asianfiction #comingofage #action #adventure #mystery
Complex Solutions
by Susan Dalessandro
Math is easy for Lexi, but complex emotions are difficult, and A.P. Calculus won’t help her overcome guilt, fear, or self-destructive behavior.
Sixteen-year old Lexi Thompson believes she should’ve died in the car accident that took her parents. Now she slices her guilt into her skin, aggravating an already dangerous cutting habit. When Lexi is contacted about her parents’ lost proof of a famous math theorem, her guilt over her parents’ deaths intensifies. Math was her parents’ passion as well as her own. Lexi enlists her friend and fellow math whiz, Joe, to help find the proof. As their relationship deepens, Lexi struggles to keep her self-harm secret. Further, she realizes she’s not the only one interested in her parents’ proof. A mysterious man hangs around her family’s vacant home and lurks in the woods where she runs with her dog. The stalker's presence exacerbates her anxiety, along with the frequency and severity of her cutting. The more she tries to conceal her self-harm, the more she pulls away from Joe and from finding the proof. If she can’t let go of her fear and open up to Joe, she may lose him as well as the proof to a man who’s intent on stealing her parents’ legacy.
Triggers: Death, psychological issues such as depression, anxiety and self-harm.
Robin's Review: A complex and compelling story of teen Lexi. She is going through high school and life with a broken spirit. Her parents have died from a car accident, and she has had to move in with her grandmother which means a new school and new people. Lexi is going through so much; guilt over her parents death, anxiety and depression, which has resulted in self harm. She tries to solve a mystery concerning her parents mathematics secret, but that turns out to be quite dangerous for her, add bullying in because she is new and different at her school, and it’s hard for her to make new friends let alone open up her heart to someone.
This story has complicated mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and self-harm, but it is written with such knowledgeable concern and sympathetic understanding that it just blew me away. The plot is strong and full of teenage emotions and new found strength. It shows the main character grow throughout the story and then learning to forgive herself. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more from author, Susan Dalessandro.
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.
#youngadult #urbanfantasy #teen #comingofage #mystery #romance
We Who Sleep:
Three Ghosts in the Machine
Book Three
by G. Allen Willbanks
The year is 1762 and the rough seas are threatening and treacherous—but they have nothing on Captain William Dearborn. Dearborn, captain of the Deadly Vagabond, is master of both his ship and his men—who know to turn a blind eye to his nefarious activities. But when a faulty compass guides them from their chosen course, his past comes back to haunt him. Those who sleep have awakened, and Dearborn is the only thing standing in the way of the rest they desire.
Robin's Review: This is a well written fast paced story. It was rich with cool pirate nostalgic feels. It is a short story, so I won’t go into detail. But it is about a Captain and his dark secret. An interesting and entertaining story from start to finish. Well done.
They: Three Ghosts in the Machine Book One
Spiritus ex Machina: Three Ghosts in the Machine Book Two
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.
#shortstory #mystery #thriller #suspense #ghost #seastories #horror
Tyrant's Rise
The Wailing Echoes Series
by Bella Dean Joyner
The tyrant has risen, and it needs another soul.
Following the death of their estranged father, Joseph Young and his sister, Hope, inherit a dilapidated yet spacious cabin in the woods, complete with sprawling greenhouse and deep, unexplained gouges in the timber. As a strange plant takes root within the walls, Joseph feels something calling from the forest...Something ancient and magical...Something powerful...Something evil...And it's been waiting for Hope. Can Joseph save his sister from eternal damnation, or will the tyrant claim him instead?
Robin's Review: A tale of siblings Joseph and Hope who inherit their estranged and possibly insane father’s cabin. A not so small cabin with an attached greenhouse. It is isolated in a remote area in the woods and in which the closest town is a small town called Strega Falls of Kentucky. In this town everyone and everything is buttoned down tight at dusk. Which should have been the first clue. Am I Right?
They came to “wrap up” their father’s life and hopefully figure out what to do with his things, and then decide what to do with the cabin. Their Uncle Allen believes that they can and should sell it and go back to living their lives. But upon seeing the cabin and its mysterious claw marks and blood they are not sure what to do with it. So, they wonder; What was their father doing out here so isolated from everyone? Was he just eccentric or was he truly unstable? And what and why was he researching the occult and how could that possibly be connected to their mothers death years ago? So many unanswered questions but are they ready to find out the answers? And at what cost?
This story creeped me out with its suspenseful horror. The telling of it was so descriptive I really felt like I was there, and I got scared. Duh? The plot was well written, thought out and entertaining. The characters were likable and realistic. The world building was rich and interesting. I really enjoy anything written by Bella Dean Joyner. I highly recommend all of her books especially this one.
Witch's Bargain (The Wailing Echoes Series)
Part of: The Wailing Echoes Series
Invocation's Torment
The Wailing Echoes Series Book 2 of 2:
This title will be released on February 25, 2022.
#darkfantasy #horror #suspense #mystery #thriller #occult #demon
Piece by PiecebyDaemon Manx
How would you live your life if you knew the year you were going to die. Sometimes, all it takes is perspective to appreciate the simple things, or a little extra concern for the frailty of the present moment to fully understand what makes life worth living. And sometimes, all it takes is a little shove in the right direction. When Bobby Canfield was eleven years old, he received a message from a mysterious presence called Mac. The delivery of this message was through a Ouija board, and it would forever change Bobby's life. After all, it's not every day you find out when you are going to die.
Robin's Review: Another great read from Daemon Manx.
His writing just sucks you in with how fluid he writes. His stories are so fantastically imaginative with rich descriptions that you feel yourself pulled into the story.
Piece by Piece
“I have discovered that life is a journey that we each must take, and the only way to find the answers is to ask the questions ourselves. No one can do it for us. It is a puzzle we must solve on our own, piece by piece.”
This was an exciting read for me. I loved how Mr. Manx made in such a short time such a vibrant and entertaining story with supernatural undertones that seem so undeniable plausible and real.
The Widower
“The noises that escaped from David’s lips were not exactly the cries of a man in pain, and they weren’t precisely the anguished wails of sorrow. The sound that David expressed as the beast drained him was much closer to that of relief.”
This story has an interesting and emotional tone to it that I found fascinating. I loved how it had a bit of an edge to it in how it was written.
I never want to pass up a book by Daemon Manx and neither should you. Always a five-star rating.
Thanks so much for an advance review copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving a review of my personal opinion.
Robin's Review of Shadow and Lightning (The Lightning Rod Saga Book 1)
On a routine hunting trip with his friends, 16-year-old Ranir Trysfal stumbled upon something believed to be a myth: magic. Nearly killed, he is saved by a stranger who can control fire. Teleported back to his farm, he is forced to reconcile with this new secret as the mage is killed, and another turns up in the village looking for answers. With newfound curiosity, he and his friends set out to hunt down the murderer. They quickly discover the world of magic is very real, and far more dangerous than the old tales had told.
During a storm, he is struck by lightning, and becomes mysteriously endowed with ancient elemental power. He soon learns that he has become The Lightning Rod, an ancient title bestowed upon the strongest mages. Under the tutelage of a fire mage, he will learn the world isn't as mundane as he once thought. Shadow magic is spreading beyond the walls of secrecy. He must learn to harness the power of the storms, for he is not the only one who has risen to power. The Necromancer has reawakened, threatening all of Gnariam. Full of treacherous paths and dangers at every turn, Ranir will begin his chaotic journey as the responsibility is placed on his shoulder to stop the spread of wicked shadow magic before Hel is unleashed.
Will he become the hero the world needs, or succumb to the darkness?
Robin's Review: Ranir Trysfal is out hunting vräel by the Veörn Mountains when he comes upon Detmés Ontaga, pyro mage and bounty hunter capturing Felgrin Eldìr, shape-shifting murdering druid. A battle of magic ensues. Ranir is surprised with the knowledge that magic is real and is unprepared for the ambush that happens.
The mage uses a teleportation spell to save him and send him to safety. Upon awakening and starting for home he is found by his best friends Marnos and Selendt.
They all return to his home but are then confronted by Taryn Ontaga, brother to the mage that saved his life, where he is told he is dead and that he believes Ranir killed him. After much discussion Taryn is relieved to know Ranir is not responsible for his brother’s death. Not knowing what to do Ranir offers to go with the brother to hunt down the killer on a “magical quest for revenge.”
This was but a quick summarization of how the story begins but I didn’t want to spoil anyones first time reading of it.
I found the story to be fast paced and full of rich descriptions of the fantasy world. It had characters that grew throughout the telling of the story.
It had everything action, adventure, mystery suspense, vengeance, bravery, friendship, magic, and twisty turns. Oh, my it was a blast to read. I enjoyed it very much. I can see it turning into a classic. Wonderful just wonderful.
These are such epic lines:
“That man's brother saved my life. I want to do this to help avenge him, show him I'm grateful. I want to do this to find out why he saved me––if there was a reason. And…I want you and Selendt to come with me.”
“Once we begin, there will be no going back to the simplicity you once knew.”
I was given a digital copy by the author, but I pre-ordered it anyway. I think I would like to get a “real” copy for my bookshelf. Any who, this review is my own personal opinion.
Coming of Age
Teen
Young Adult
Fantasy
Action
Adventure
Mystery
Suspense
Thriller
Girl in the Reflectionby Monica Arya
What happens when our dreams and reality begin to blur together?
Serena Indigo has the perfect life. A handsome husband, a beautiful daughter, a gated home, and a rewarding career as a physician, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. She’s helped hundreds of people complete their families, which means all that more to her considering the lengths she went through for her own child. She even has a private practice with her best friend, Parker Sully, who is easy on the eyes and kinder on the soul. Sure, she sets herself to extremely high standards and is obsessed with perfection—which triggers a darkness of her own—but she’s managed to keep it under control.
She’s always in control.
When suspicious things start to unravel, Serena begins to lose control over the perfection she thrives off of. Her husband breaks the vows he promised her, her neighbors aren’t the sweet family next door, and her perfect life seems more like the perfect lie. Her world crumbles in front of her eyes as she tries to piece it all together, but what happens when we look into our reflection and the pain of our past haunts our present?
After all, you can’t piece together a broken mirror and expect to see the same reflection….
Finally, there are some trigger warnings. This is a psychological thriller with themes of: child loss, self-inflicted harm, infertility, toxic relationships, mental health issues such as anxiety are also present. I poured my heart and soul into this story and hope you enjoy it as much as I did telling it.
Robin's Review: Wow just wow. This was an extraordinary story. It was so well written with a plot that had twisty turns. The characters were outstanding and thoroughly written. It was easy to read and fast paced. No part of the book was useless or wasteful. It meshed cohesively and was a real page turner, as evidence of me staying up all night to finish it in one sitting. A must read for most genres. This is Monica Arya’s first psychological thriller and she nailed it. I can’t wait to read more of her work.
Psychological Thriller
Suspense
Thriller
Mystery
Fortius (Finley Series Book 4)
by Mariette Whitcomb
I've hunted sexual predators, serial offenders, and brought down a cult. This time I might be in over my head.
A serial killer who knows no boundaries, not in his depravity, or geographically. Four victims. Three cities. Different countries. And that's just the beginning, or is it?
What starts as a serial murder investigation soon takes a far more sinister turn. An unspeakable crime is being covered up, and it's up to us to find the truth. The only way to do it – my way. Equal parts profiler and vigilante, but I no longer hunt alone. Aidan's in this fight with me, as my husband and boss.
With countless lives at stake, nothing will stop us from protecting the innocent. Even if the killer lives in the public eye. No one is untouchable...
Robin's Review:
This was an action-packed page turner. What a thrilling read. It had it all: mystery, suspense, murder by a serial killer and a kick butt investigation team. I would recommend this book to all who love twisty turns murder mysteries.
Orca: A gripping psychological thriller (Finley Series Book 1)
Book 1 of 4: Finley Series
Deception: A psychological thriller (Finley Series Book 2)
Book 2 of 4: Finley Series
Binding Lies: A gripping psychological thriller (Finley Series Book 3)
Book 3 of 4: Finley Series
Thanks so much for an advance review copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving a review of my personal opinion.
Nanoswarm: A Dystopian Sci-Fi Technothriller
Nanoverse Book 2
by Theophilus Monroe
The nanonetwork has been upgraded.
I can still access the nanobots...
But when I do, it leaves the host unconscious. Transferring their mind into the nanoswarm.
Dr. Archimedes Flat is expanding his nanoverse. Collecting minds to craft a new "utopia" forged from collective memory.
He believes it's the next step in human evolution.
And if a few people have to die to make it happen, well, in his mind that's nothing more than the survival of the fittest.
If I'm going to stop him, I'll have to fight him in the nanoverse itself.
But Flat designed the nanoverse. He's it's architect. The god of his digital world.
How can I possibly defeat the maker of the nanoverse from within his own creation? After all, in the nanoverse, Flat makes all the rules.
Nanoswarm is the second book in Theophilus Monroe's Nanoverse, an action packed dystopian sci fi thriller series. As a former soldier, suffering from PTSD, Brian Goff is not only a threat to the new system, but his very injury has given him control over the nanobots. Like Neo, in The Matrix, Goff is an unlikely hero whose "technomagic" makes him the the last hope for human liberty, freedom, and justice.
Go up and click 'Read for Free' or 'Buy Now' to find out how Brian Goff and the resistance can take control of the nanoswarm.
Robin's Review:
I can’t tell you how much I love this series but I will try. The world building in this series is phenomenal. The plot is well written and entertaining. The characters are relatable and lovable with back histories that are complex and rewarding. If you are fans of The Matrix world then you will love this series. Theophilus Monroe, you knocked it out of the park with this series.
Posthuman: A Dystopian Sci-Fi Technothriller (Nanoverse Book 3)
by Theophilus Monroe (Author)
This title will be released on Jan 22, 2022.
Nanowar: A Dystopian Sci-Fi Technothriller (Nanoverse Book 4)
by Theophilus Monroe (Author)
This title will be released on Feb 28, 2022.
Thanks so much for an advance review copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving a review of my personal opinion.
Cybernetics
Young Adult
Dystopian
Romance
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Mystery
Thriller
