Lancer: Hero of the West: The Santa Fe Affair by Bob Brill Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a air and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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A lone man must help save a child from a criminal grandfather and a town in the clutches of a racist regime in author BobBrill’s “Lancer: Hero of the West: The Santa Fe Affair”. 

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The Synopsis

In the third episode of the “Lancer; Hero of the West” series, “The Santa Fe Affair” our hero battles social injustice head on. Lancer finds himself doing battle with two men who control a town with a racist iron fist. As he attempts to rescue a small Chinese boy he’s also confronted by a War Lord who is the child’s grandfather come from China to take his grandson home over the objections of his paternal grandmother.

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The Review

This was a compelling and gripping Western. The atmosphere and imagery in the author’s writing style made this a phenomenal read, with the gritty nature of the genre and the action taking readers into the era ideally. The fast pace of the narrative still allowed enough tension to build between the protagonist and the foes he faced in his latest mission.

The author was able to bring some depth and heart into this narrative. The character development was perfect, allowing the reader to feel the nature of the Wild West and the trail that the lone hero must traverse in these books. Yet it was the exploration of different cultures and the examination of racism in our world that really separated this story from other Westerns, allowing us to see the need for change in our own society.

The Verdict

Captivating, entertaining, and mesmerizing, author Bob Brill’s “Lancer: Hero of the West: The Santa Fe Affair” is a must-read Western novel. The twists and turns in the narrative, and the compelling narrative that sees this lone gunman having to rescue this boy and face overwhelming odds against corruption made this a memorable read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A native of Pittsburgh, PA and a hardcore Pirates and Steelers fan, Bob began in radio career in 1972 and worked all over the western US, several times in the L-A market. He’s currently a news anchor at CBS Radio LA; KNX 1070 News Radio.

Bob has won multiple broadcast awards including an Edward R. Murrow Award (among others) for anchoring KNX’s storm coverage in 2011.

A baseball historian, Bob writes the very popular weekly column found at http://www.baseballinthe1960s.com. He also is a podcaster who has teamed with former NFL Quarterback Erik Kramer for a weekly Fantasy Football Podcast called Kramer and Brill, which can be found where ever you get your podcasts or at their website http://www.kramerandbrill.com. Both are always posted on Facebook as well as Twitter.

Bob made his mark with the UPI Radio Network when a gunman went crazy in a San Diego fast food restaurant and Bob covered the story. It was his first big break. He later became a UPI National Correspondent and Bureau Chief. He has interviewed presidents, covered Super Bowl games and Hollywood as well as major news stories.

He lives in L-A. He has survived earthquakes and a beating during the 1992 L-A riots while covering the story, which was recorded on audio tape.

Bob is considered to have an excellent voice and has not only done many voice overs and radio spots, he’s starred in television commercials. Bob authored “Fan Letters to a Stripper: A Patti Waggin Tale” from Schiffer Publishing and “NO BARRIER: How the Internet Destroyed the World Economy.” His third book “Al Kabul; Home Grown Terrorist” is sure to be a controversial novel as well as a great read. “Lancer; Hero of the West – The Prescott Affair” is the first in a series of western novels set in the 1880’s, centering on the central figure; Lancer. Lancer is a gun for hire, good guy, who works the West out of Tombstone.

https://www.bobbrill.com/index.html

Trainer X by Jackson Cooper Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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Author Jackson Cooper shares the experiences and memories of his time as a personal trainer in his book “Trainer X: My Career as your Personal Trainer: Warning: You Might Be in This Book”. 

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The Synopsis 

“If you’ve got breath to bitch, then you’ve got breath to keep going.”

This was my motto if you trained with me during my 13 years as a personal trainer.

This book was written with the soul intent of recapping my career in the Health and Fitness industry, and it allows you into the mind of one personal trainer. This book has it all: sex, how you, yourself are seen in the gym, fitness stories about clients, mistakes, career choices, rich people, poor people…

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What started out as a dream of living in the gym, playing instead of working, becoming muscularly aesthetic, being more attractive to the opposite sex, and being lean and useful in every capacity, would inevitably lead to one burnt out individual. The weird thing is, I don’t feel as though I am alone in this. I believe that the people in the fitness industry all aspire to help people at the onset, but then get lost along the way because of their relationships with their clients.

This book will probably not be the next “Trainer How-To” book. Therefore, it will probably not be memorialized by health and fitness gurus for decades to come.

I was worth the money, and I still believe that I am. Even after “retiring” from the industry, I dipped my toe back into the frigid waters of training, only to retract, shake my head, and say, “Nope, no more.”

Please enjoy the book, as it is meant to entertain and enlighten, but you may want to take my experiences and advice with a grain of salt. I did not leave the industry feeling all well and good about it. The saying goes “Everything ends badly, or else it would not end at all.”

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The Review

This was such a unique and fascinating nonfiction read. The author gave such an original and personal viewpoint on a field that is rarely looked at from any lens other than self-help and personal growth fields. The detail and the imagery that the author’s experiences and stories conjure up really allow the reader to feel transported to these moments.

The heart of the author’s book rested in the honest approach to the subject matter, as well as the balance of humor and tragedy that made up the author’s career as a personal trainer. The way people’s personalities and behavior changes when entering a gym setting and the way trainers are looked upon as not only a trainer but almost like a person’s personal therapist in a way, made the author’s personal stories feel more vibrant and alive on the page.

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The Verdict 

Insightful, engaging, and illuminating, author Jackson Cooper’s “Trainer“ is a must-read nonfiction book. The engaging narrative and the honest approach to the subject matter will give readers a new and original perspective on the personal training field that will both fascinate and shock readers to their core. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10 

https://instagram.com/trainerxbook?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

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A Seat for the Rabble (A King Without a Crown Book One) by Ryan Schuette Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Three individuals not known to one another seamlessly work their own goals to better the kingdom that has become corrupted and cruel in the century since their King’s murder in author Ryan Schuette’s “A Seat for the Rabble”, the first book in A King Without a Crown series.

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The Synopsis

Centuries ago, the peasants of Loran killed their king. The more powerful classes-lords, priests, and merchants-exacted revenge by stripping the lowborn of their seats in the Worthy Assembly, where subjects make laws with the crown. Consumed by unchecked greed and corruption, Loran now teeters on a knife’s edge . . . and there is no end to the terror and injustice visited on Commoners.

As the priestking’s loyalists ruthlessly seize peasant children and plot their coup, Jason Warchild sees a war coming-a war he means to prevent. Aided by his cunning sister and traitor uncle, the bastard prince enters a deadly tournament to claim his crown, unite the land against his family’s enemies-and return peasants to power for the first time in hundreds of years.

Amid tournament politics and threats of violent revolution, two children embark on quests that will shake the kingdom to its core. One, a boy hostage, accompanies a sorcerer to confront an ancient evil sowing the seeds of strife. The other, a peasant girl, stakes her soul on a gambit to raise her father from the dead.

Lord, knight, hostage, peasant: the fires will engulf them all in the fight for a voice in their own rule.

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The Review

While so many fans of the genre love to get lost in the magic and otherworldly qualities that make the fantasy genre so profound, one thing that both fantasy and sci-fi have a knack for is touching upon today’s political climate. In our own world, the division between political parties and social interactions is at an all-time high, and the author was able to touch upon this greatly. The exploration of class systems, as well as the underlying tension and heart-pounding drama that the story brings forth, made this a remarkable story.

The heart of this novel came in the character development and world-building that the narrative took on. The characters were so well developed, and despite their various backgrounds and different walks of life, they were grounded enough to make the fantasy elements pop more on the page. The fantasy world from which these characters come, including a world of wizards, knights, and politicians, and the grueling world of the arena that a lot of this story takes part in, allowed the mysterious and deep-seated nature of the hands at work in the shadows to reflect the politics of our own world beautifully while still honoring the rich fantasy dynamics at work.

The Verdict

Captivating, engaging, and thought-provoking, author Ryan Schuette’s “A Seat for the Rabble” is a must-read novel and a great entry in the new “A King Without a Crown” fantasy series. The twists and turns that the narrative takes on, and the shocking developments that bring this story to a close will have fans eager for the sequel to this incredible first book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ryan Schuette is the author of A Seat for the Rabble and The Art of the Big Lie: Political Cartoons About the Fight for America’s Soul. He’s also authored a romance novel under his pseudonym.

Before returning to fantasy fiction and art, Ryan wore a few hats. He’s both illustrated and reported for National Public Radio and various trade publications, including DS News and MReport. He’s also freelanced for Al Jazeera America. He lived and worked in Uganda as a 2008-2009 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and holds a master’s degree from American University in Washington, D.C.

Somewhere along the way, he also started a nonprofit and fair-trade lingerie company that operated in West and Central Africa, respectively. Many of his friends still wear safari-print boxers.

Ryan lives in Texas, where he looks after his cat, Rusty.

RyanSchuette.com

TimeReaping in Deadwood (Deadwood Humorous Mystery Book 13) by Ann Charles Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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A woman’s new role as a TimeKeeper brings her into conflict with an imp and brushes against the Grim Reaper himself in author Ann Charles’s “TimeReaping in Deadwood”, the thirteenth entry in the Deadwood Humorous Mystery series!

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The Synopsis

Time is a tricky devil. And so is that blasted imp!

Violet Parker needs to catch the little terror before it wreaks even more havoc in the Black Hills. But now that she’s saddled with this dang Timekeeper gig, she has a lot to juggle, like the real monsters wanting to tear the flesh from her bones just for fun.

If she can’t figure out how to wrangle “time” to save her family, the Grim Reaper might come swinging for them next.

But what about that danged honey-loving imp?

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The Review

This was a captivating and action-packed mystery read. The author does a great job of balancing the human aspect of this story with the supernatural aspect, in multiple ways. From the balance, the author strikes in the protagonist’s life with her work life and her after-hours, slayer time, to the antagonists the protagonist faces, from her human foes in her home and work life to the monsters she must face and the chaos imp that pushes this narrative forward.

To me, the heart of this story rested in the imagery of this paranormal romance and mystery novel with the down-to-earth, grounded character development of the story. The detail that went into the writing was truly compelling, as it allowed the reader to visualize in their mind’s eye the gritty supernatural world that lies just under the surface of our own. The way the characters interact with one another and the dialogue between them really made the characters come to life on the page and made them feel alive and relatable all at the same time.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, entertaining, and memorable, author Ann Charles’s “TimeReaping in Deadwood” is a must-read paranormal mystery and romance novel and a great continuation of the Deadwood Humorous Mystery series. The twists and turns in the narrative, and the heart and imagery that goes into the story, made this a truly immersive reading experience and one book you won’t want to miss out on this holiday season. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ann Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes award-winning books that are splashed with humor, mystery, suspense, romance, supernatural elements, and whatever else sounds fun.

Currently, she has many fiction books available in several different on-going series.

From her ongoing multi-award winning Deadwood Mystery Series:

NEARLY DEPARTED IN DEADWOOD (book 1–multiple award-winning book for both mystery and romance/mystery);

OPTICAL DELUSIONS IN DEADWOOD (book 2);

DEAD CASE IN DEADWOOD (book 3-one of Suspense Magazine’s BEST OF 2012 books);

BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD (book 4);

AN EX TO GRIND IN DEADWOOD (book 5–Grand Prize winner in Chanticleer Review’s Paranormal category;

MEANWHILE, BACK IN DEADWOOD (book 6–one of Suspense Magazine’s BEST OF 2015 books);

A WILD FRIGHT IN DEADWOOD (book 7–one of Suspense Magazine’s BEST OF 2016 books);

RATTLING THE HEAD IN DEADWOOD (book 8)

GONE HAUNTING IN DEADWOOD (book 9)

DON’T LET IT SNOW IN DEADWOOD (book 10)

DEVIL DAYS IN DEADWOOD (book 11)

NEVER SAY SEVER IN DEADWOOD (book 12)

(Book 13 coming in early 2023)

Also available from Ann are the first five books in her Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series:

DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS (book 1)

JACKRABBIT JUNCTION JITTERS (book 2)

THE GREAT JACKALOPE STAMPEDE (book 3)

THE ROWDY COYOTE RUMBLE (book 4)

A Thanksgiving novella titled, THE WILD TURKEY TANGO (book 4.5)

A Christmas novella titled, JACKRABBIT JINGLE BALLS (book 4.7)

IN CAHOOTS WITH THE PRICKLY PEAR POSSE (book 5)

TWISTY TORTOISE TUSSLES (book 6)

LOOK WHAT THE WIND BLEW IN (book 1) and MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT (book 2), the first two books in her Dig Site Mystery-Archaeology series set in the Maya jungle, are available on Amazon, too. These books star Quint Parker, the brother of Violet Parker–the heroine in her Deadwood Mystery series. They are filled with mystery, humor, adventure, and a plenty of heat.

She has a western paranormal Deadwood Undertaker Series in process that is co-written with Sam Lucky:

LIFE AT THE COFFIN JOINT (book 1)

A LONG WAY FROM ORDINARY (book 2

CAN’T RIDE AROUND IT (book 3)

CATAWAMPUS CHRISTMAS CAROL (book 3.5)

THE BACKSIDE OF HADES (book 4)–coming in Fall 2022

She has several short stories as well–DEADWOOD SHORTS: SEEING TROUBLE (book 1.5), BOOT POINTS (book 4.5), COLD FLAME (book 6.5), TEQUILA & TIME (book 8.5), and FATAL TRADITIONS (book 10.5). These are all short stories from her Deadwood Mystery Series. Also, she has THE OLD MAN’S BACK IN TOWN, a short story from her future Goldwash Mystery Series.

In addition, Ann has two novellas in the AC Silly Circus Co. Mystery series: FERAL-LY FUNNY FREAKSHOW and A BUNCH OF MONKEY MALARKEY.

Stay tuned for more new books by Ann coming soon!

Ann has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Western Writers of America. She is currently toiling away on her next book, wishing she was on a Mexican beach with an ice-cold Corona in one hand and a book in the other. When she is not dabbling in fiction, she is arm wrestling with her two kids, attempting to seduce her husband, and arguing with her sassy cats. You can find her on all major social media platforms.

The Wolf and the Favour by Catherine McCarthy Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and hones review. All opinions are my own. 

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A young girl must learn who to trust and what path to walk in author Catherine McCarthy’s “The Wolf and the Favour”.

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The Synopsis

Ten-year-old Hannah has Down syndrome and oodles of courage, but should she trust the alluring tree creature who smells of Mamma’s perfume or the blue-eyed wolf who warns her not to enter the woods under any circumstance?

The Wolf and the Favour is a tale of love, trust, and courage. A tale that champions the neurodivergent voice and proves the true power of a person’s strength lies within themselves.

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The Review

This was such a fantastic and thoughtful dark fantasy and horror story meets mythological tale. The rich and chilling imagery was brought forth by some highly detailed and creative writing on the author’s part, and the infusion of Welsh culture and dialect really helped bring a unique spin on the fantasy and horror genres.

To me, the heart of this narrative rested in the unique character development and world-building the author put into place. The author’s ability to make the protagonist neurodivergent and showcase their individual selves perfectly while also showcasing the challenges that both the protagonist and her parents face was so grounded and moving to read. Paired with the mystery of the good wolf versus the alarming wolf dilemma, the addition of the fantasy element with the witches also made the growth and development of these characters that much more impactful.

The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and richly developed, author Catherine McCarthy’s “The Wolf and the Favour” is a must-read dark fantasy and horror novel! The twists and turns in the narrative and the heartfelt connection that readers will draw to the cast of characters made this a memorable read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Catherine McCarthy weaves dark tales on an ancient loom from her farmhouse in West Wales.

She is the author of the novellas Immortelle and Mosaic and the novel A Moonlit Path of Madness. Her short fiction has been published in various anthologies and magazines, including those by Black Spot Books, Brigids Gate Press, and Dark Matter Ink.

In 2020 she won the Aberystwyth University Prize for her short fiction.

Time away from the loom is spent hiking the Welsh coast path or huddled in an ancient graveyard reading Dylan Thomas or Poe.

https://www.catherine-mccarthy-author.com/

Chivalry and Courtesy: Medieval Manners For a Modern World by Daniele Cybulskie Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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Author Daniele Cybulskie shares the rituals and etiquette that drove medieval society in the book “Chivalry and Courtesy: Medieval Manners For a Modern World”. 

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The Synopsis

A surprising look at how medieval etiquette can improve our lives today, from the author of the popular How to Live Like a Monk

Medieval people are often portrayed as having poor hygiene and table manners—licking their knives or throwing chicken bones on the floor. In the Middle Ages, however, such behavior was not tolerated. Medieval society cherished order in nearly every facet of life, from regular handwashing to daily prayer. There were consequences if you didn’t adhere to the rules of good behavior: you wouldn’t be invited to the lord’s next dinner, you wouldn’t win the battle, and you wouldn’t win the lady.

Author Daniele Cybulskie explores the world of medieval etiquette, encompassing table manners and interpersonal relationships as well as running a household and ruling a kingdom. With wit and insight, Cybulskie draws on a wide variety of primary sources, from handbooks for young knights to romantic poems. Though we may no longer need best practices for things like dueling or ordering about our servants, the principles of generosity, kindness, and respect still apply today. After all, it’s a good reminder to “not talk when you have food in your mouth” and “anything you say should be entertaining, polite, and sophisticated.”

Illustrated with original drawings by Anna Lobanova as well as eighty medieval artworks, Chivalry and Courtesy is full of good advice for everyone, whether you are a peasant or a knight, a student or a CEO, a king or a queen.

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The Review

This was one of the most fascinating and compelling looks into life in the Middle Ages. The history and knowledge the author is able to impart, and the detail that goes into each and every aspect of society at that time, was incredible to see come to life on the page. The heart and passion for which the author wrote about this subject were felt greatly throughout the book and made the reader feel more connected to the subject matter.

The history and the balance the author struck with our more modern ideals was the heart of this book. The detailed writing style really brought this time period to life, and the way the author delved into everything from how to eat to how to court and so much more really highlighted the chivalry of the time period. The author did a great job of also stripping away the core values of these etiquette lessons and applying them through a modern lens. 

The Verdict

Memorable, thought-provoking, and engaging, author Daniele Cybulskie’s “Chivalry and Courtesy” is a must-read nonfiction book on history and etiquette. The detail and fascinating historical facts that the author brings to life, and the inside look into life during the Middle Ages in England and France, made this a truly mesmerizing book that is not to be missed. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

As a writer, professor, TEDx speaker, and now podcaster, Danièle has been making the Middle Ages fun, entertaining, and accessible for over ten years. She is the author of The Five-Minute Medievalist, which debuted at the top of Amazon’s Canadian charts, and through her featured articles at Medievalists.net, as well as those she’s written for several international magazines, Danièle’s work has been read over half a million times, and counting.

Danièle is the creator and host of The Medieval Podcast, a weekly interview show on which she speaks with experts on the Middle Ages on a wide variety of topics. She also currently teaches The Middle Ages and the Modern World: Facts and Fiction, which she co-created for college students across Ontario via OntarioLearn. Her forthcoming book, Life in Medieval Europe: Fact and Fiction, is being published by Pen & Sword History, and will be available in autumn, 2019.

When she’s not reading, writing, or recording, Danièle can be found drinking tea, doing Krav Maga, or sometimes building a backyard trebuchet.

https://www.danielecybulskie.com/

Death Drives a Semi: 25th Anniversary Edition by Edo Van Belkom Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Edo Van Belkom shares the 25th Anniversary Edition of one of the most compelling collections of horror stories in the book “Death Drives a Semi”.

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The Synopsis

Keep one eye on the road ahead and another on the rearview mirror.

Because, like the legendary phantom semi of this book’s titular story, these stories will creep up on you and overtake you without warning.

Edo van Belkom twists his unique perspective and droll, black sense of humor into twisted observations of the sad, violent, and ironic sides of life in this special 25th anniversary release of a compilation of his most beloved horror stories.

With a voice and range that has drawn comparisons of Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson and Stephen King, van Belkom takes the reader down a most unique highway that breaths new life into classic horror tropes, all the while maintaining the essence of the best of a combination of “The Twilight Zone” and the old E.C. horror comics of the 1950s.

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The Review

The stories found in this collection were both profound and haunting all at once. The chilling imagery the author infuses into the stories found within is shocking and engaging, and the heart and emotion put into these horror stories ground the characters enough to keep the reader invested in each and every story.

The heart of this narrative was the quick pace of the stories and the emotional depth of the characters that helped to highlight the horrors of the story. One story that stood out to me immediately was The Basement, which not only highlighted the strong cultural elements of being an Italian immigrant in Canada but played on the protagonist’s emotional state to elevate the terrifying realities of this mystery basement, making this a story readers will be drawn to time and time again. 

The Verdict

Thoughtful, entertaining, and masterfully written, author Edo Van Belkom’s “Death Drives a Semi: 25th Anniversary Edition” is a must-read horror short story collection. The atmosphere and tension of each story when blended with the dynamic character growth really brought me back to Stephen King’s Night Shift and Everything’s Eventual, two collections that defined the horror genre for so many. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Edo van Belkom is the author of three novels, including the best-selling Wyrm Wolf and Lord Soth. He has also compiled Northern Dreamers: Interviews with Famous Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writers and edited Northern Horror, an anthology of new stories. “Rat Food,” a short story in Death Drives a Semi, won the Bram Stoker Award. 

Scorch Mark (Dark Dreams Book 3) by JP McLean Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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Finally free of her parent’s killer, a young woman goes in search of her ancestry and comes across a deadly gang and an eager cop who may uncover her hidden past in author JP McLean’s “Scorch Mark”, the third book in the Dark Dreams series. 

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The Synopsis

Jane stands alone between a powerful artifact and the wrong hands. Jane Walker’s alarming dreams, in which she sees events that have yet to happen, have finally subsided. The man who killed her parents and kidnapped Jane is behind bars. So it’s the perfect time for Jane and her partner Ethan to set out on a road trip to unravel the secrets of her ancestry.

But their journey takes a spine-chilling turn when they encounter a gang of men who stare at Jane as if they recognize her. That can only mean one thing: they’ve met her in a dream she has yet to experience. When the gang begins stalking her, Jane realizes she must have witnessed a deadly event. But what could it be? She slips into hiding and waits for the disturbing dream to arrive.

And now her BFF, Sadie Prescott, is dating a cop whose curiosity about Jane leads him to unearth the mysterious deaths that litter her past. When his latest investigation crosses paths with Jane’s stalkers, Jane must intervene and turn the skeptical cop into a believer before he kills himself and causes the deaths of his entire law enforcement team.

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The Review

This was a fantastic entry into the Dark Dreams series. The author does a phenomenal job of crafting a new narrative that keeps the character development and action of the first two books in the series while also laying the groundwork for more mythos and world-building to take center stage. The tension that builds over time and the way the author was able to bring new readers into the series effortlessly really set the tone for the entirety of the narrative. 

The action and suspense of the story, the great strides the author made in enhancing the character’s story arcs in this new entry, and the creative and tense occult/supernatural abilities that take hold of the protagonist’s life made this story truly shine. The imagery of the author’s writing style allowed the gritty road aspect of the protagonist and her partner to meld with the city-based investigative work that the police detective brings to the table in this read.

The Verdict

Memorable, action-packed, and entertaining, author JP McLean’s “Scorch Mark” is a fantastic read and the perfect entry in the Dark Dreams series. The twists and turns, the wealth of world-building, and the haunting atmosphere will keep readers invested in this gripping tale. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

JP (Jo-Anne) McLean is a bestselling author of urban fantasy and supernatural thrillers. She is a Global Book Award winner, a CIBA finalist, and has received honours from the Eric Hoffer Book Awards, the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, the National Indie Excellence Awards, the Whistler Independent Book Awards, and the Victoria Writers’ Society. Reviewers call her books addictive, smart and fun.

Raised in Toronto, Ontario, JP has lived in various parts of North America, from Mexico and Arizona to Alberta and Ontario. JP holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, is a certified scuba diver, an avid gardener, and a voracious reader. She had a successful career in Human Resources before turning her attention to writing.

JP lives with her husband on Denman Island, which is nestled between the coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cooking dishes that look nothing like the recipe photos or arguing with weeds in the garden.

Visit her at https://jpmcleanauthor.com

Poetry in a Pandemic Vol 1: Changes by H.M. Gooden Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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Author H.M. Gooden presents a collection of poetry and prose that examines life during the pandemic of 2020 in the book “Poetry in a Pandemic Volume I: Changes”. 

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The Synopsis

2020 was a year that changed life as we know it.

In this collection of poetry and prose, Gooden explores her longing for more than her daily routine as she makes her way through a “once in a lifetime” world event.

In the middle of turmoil, she creates magic in the mundane as she examines her life in an honest, poignant, and often irreverent way.

As she reflects on life and all it encompasses through her perspective as a healthcare worker, she proves there can be light even in the darkest of days.

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The Review

This was a compelling and captivating read. The author did an incredible job of not only capturing the atmosphere and emotional state of the world during this horrific time but also of the hope and experiences that brought this author’s experiences to life perfectly. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the formatting and personal nature of these poems. The way the author formatted these pieces to follow a certain path that showcased the author’s life in the first year of the pandemic was an inspired choice, reading these poems showcases the experience of enduring this pandemic as time goes on. The emotional weight of these poems really highlighted the author’s experiences, as did the imagery that went into these poems.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, engaging, and thoughtful, author H.M. Gooden’s “Poetry in a Pandemic Volume 1: Changes” is a must-read collection of poetry and a great psychological and emotional look into the mindset of someone who lived through the 2020 pandemic. The heart and thought that went into these poems and the artistry that went into the writing of these poems made this a must-read book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

H. M. Gooden has been scribbling on everything since she first learned how to hold a pencil. While often told that her handwriting was atrocious, she persisted, and upon discovering computers and learning how to type, she realized that she was no longer limited by her (admittedly) messy writing.

Unfortunately, life, work, and family have conspired to make it only possible to write in the wee hours or at coffee shops, so most of her love of reading and writing are indulged at times when only vampires and insomniacs abound.

In October of 2017, her love of writing and the characters in the world she created burst into public view in her first book, Dream of Darkness, which follows the adventures of a group of girls fighting evil with abilities that H. M. Gooden would love to have.

When not writing fantasy, H. M. Gooden writes non-fiction pieces exploring the emotions and situations that arise in her day job as a rural family doc. As a result, 4 am has never been busier, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

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