Tag: reviews

Ashes to Ashes by Valerie Thomas | REVIEW

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A mysterious note leads one young teenage girl on a journey of discovery in the YA novel Ashes to Ashes by Valerie Thomas. Exploring the themes of social interactions amongst teens and the unpredictability of the future, this novel sets the stage for a YA series that asks the question: can we prevent the future? Check out the synopsis:

From tragedy came power. And from mishandled power came mystery.

After moving into a new gated community with her family, Natalie is ready to begin a peaceful year at Emerson High. A year complete with boy troubles, school dances, new friends… everything an average girl could expect.

Then she starts receiving notes warning her not to go to school November first. Notes in her day planner, on a piece of homework, on a homecoming ticket… The more notes she receives the more details she uncovers, and the clearer it becomes: words like peaceful and average are about the worst ones anyone could use to describe the year she’s about to have. Crazy? Maybe. Violent? Definitely. Heart-wrenching, mind-blowing, life-changing?

Well, that remains to be seen. All Natalie knows from the start is that she shouldn’t go to school on November first. And maybe you shouldn’t either.

 

SPOILER ALERT

Trigger Warning: As is the case with some books I read, I feel compelled to disclose that there are some story lines that might be triggering for some readers out there. Story lines involving suicide and a possible large scale tragedy are referenced in this book. Although I’m reluctant to get into specifics, I felt it pertinent to at least mention this before going further.

This book starts off with a lot of action right from the first page. Introducing us to Natalie, we already get a glimpse into the social hierarchy of high school, showing the dividing lines amongst the students and how kids view one another. Exploring the nerves that go into attending a new school, starting freshman year of high school and trying to make new friends, Natalie finds her life complicated even more when these mysterious notes teasing November 1st start arriving. Who’s behind the notes, and what are they trying to prevent?

The story itself was strong, indicating a large-scale series that can span three or four novels easily. Delving into a thriller/mystery realm, this YA drama focuses strongly on the bonds we make in our teenage years and the importance those relationships have on us in the long run. The characters were what really drew me into the story however. The complicated relationships Natalie has with those around her kept the mystery of the story in constant shadows, and her story often felt personal, as if anyone who’d ever been a struggling teen could identify with it.

Now I will say the novel took a little more time than maybe it needed to in order to get into a rhythm thematically, I will say the writing was overall precise and delivered a strong thriller. While it touched on the emotional aspects of Natalie’s various relationships with family, friends and others towards the end of the book, I’d love to dive more into the emotional side of Natalie’s tale in future stories.

Overall I liked this book a lot. With a huge cliffhanger that will leave readers wanting to learn more about Natalie’s story, this was a strong entry in a new YA Drama series that deserves to be explored. While I will reiterate there are some pretty strong story lines that should be handled with care in future installments and should be read with care by you readers out there, I do think this was a great book and I hope guys will check
it out!

Rating: 7/10

Jane of Manchester by J.G. Dow Review

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An intimate look into the life of a twenty-something woman living in the U.K. shines brightly in the debut novel from author J.G. Dow, “Jane of
Manchester”. The story showcases Jane as she goes through her life, watching friends and family grow and excell in life, love and friendship while
she feels as if she isn’t growing at the same pace. Here is the official synopsis:

Jane’s life on the face of it isn’t really too bad…she has great friends like party girl Natasha who’s always up for a laugh and her close pal Polly, always there for her and of course her loving parents, but things could still be better…

Most people she knows are either married or have kids and she has been single a while now and wonders if a good man is ever to be encountered again. The single life is far from a quiet one for Jane however, as she is constantly getting dragged to night clubs and bars by Natasha and the crew as well as enduring a particularly boozy weekend away at the seaside!

Jane loves a lot about her life, disregarding rude plumbers in her flat and dealing with annoying superiors and a smug sister, but as a certain someone takes her eye, is everything about to change and get a whole lot more serious or is the single life determined to keep her captive a while longer yet…

This story is definitely more of a chill and relaxing read, taking the reader on a personal jouney of one young woman who must decide for herself
what kind of life she wants to lead. While so many young women are constantly pressured to get married and have children, the world is also evolving
and women are finally being recognized and respected for wanting a career before family. Jane feels caught in the middle of these two ideologies,
as her sister is excelling in her career and her friends are all getting married and having children, while Jane herself kind of just lives her
life. Working as a florist and enjoying simple nights out with friends or curling up with a good movie and a glass of wine, Jane begins to
wonder what more she wants out of life.

The story is well written, taking the reader into the everyday life of this woman and showcasing her interactions with friends, family and
strangers. Showcasing things like drunken bar crawls, sexual harrassment and more, this story does a marvelous job of delving into the everyday
life of a modern woman and showing the struggles women face when the world seems to be waiting for them to decide who they want to be. While
this book is not an edge of your seat thriller, it is a pleasant and wonderfully simple read that drama and coming of age story fans will fall in
love with. For a debut novel this was a wonderful read from author J.G.Dow and I look forward to seeing what he has in store for the future.
Be sure to pick up your copies of Jane of Manchester today!

How Speleology Restored My Sex Drive: A Max Brown Novel by Michael Bernhart Review

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A fantastic adventure story that also highlights key issues that reflect on our current political and moral environment, author Michael Bernhart
has brought to life a fantastic treasure hunting story that involves kidnapping, shootouts, corruption and explosions. That story is How Speleology
Restored My Sex Drive: A Max Brown Novel. While I have not read the previous installments in this series, the author was kind enough to send
this book to me in exchange for an honest review, and so here are my thoughts on the book. First, the synopsis:

Some people can’t stay out of trouble. Happily married, the father of two precocious nine year old girls, and comfortably off, Max Brown should
have it easy. Not yet; that’s where the little girls come in. They maneuver Max and his wife into a dangerous treasure hunt through abandoned
gold mines. As Max forewarns, “the closer you get to the treasure the more competitors show up, some of whom don’t play by the rules.” The
competitors in this case are seven Klansmen who believe that the object of the treasure hunt, a large cache of Confederate gold, is theirs to
finance a second rebellion. Set in northern Georgia, Max combats bears, snakes, and the Klan to protect those he loves. His most cunning and
committed adversaries, though, turn out to be his own children.

Now before I go on, I will say that as a word of warning, if anyone is triggered by dialogue or themes of racism, then this is not the book for
you. While the author does a great job of highlighting the horrors of racism throughout this adventure in the southern United States, the harsh
language (that is very realistic) can be hard to read if that triggers anything, so be careful.

The story was fast paced and well written. Written from a first-person perspective, readers are given insight into the mind of protagonist Max
Brown, and shown the heart-pounding terror that comes from the fear of losing a child. Desperate to save his children, he and his wife Sally
face corrupt cops, Klansmen and the FBI as a simple treasure hunt turns into a deadly battle between racists and parents who go above and beyond
to save their daughters.

Now this is definitely a case of not judging a book by it’s cover. While a simple cover, the title is definitely intriguing yet confusing. Speleology
is the study of cave exploration, and while the title suggests a more “suggestive” theme, this story focuses more on the harsh truths of racism
and the high-octane, blood-pumping action that this adventure brings. Overall this is a must read story for any fans of classic adventure tales
that combine the thrill of an Indiana Jones story with the political climate of our world today. Be sure to pick up your copies of How Speleology
Restored My Sex Drive: A Max Brown Novel by Michael Bernhart today!

Rating: 8/10

Barking Madness by Ryan Hill

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A psychological horror story unlike any other, Ryan Hill’s Barking Madness explores the psychology of teenagers in today’s world while also analyzing the psychology of a person experiencing a supernatural event, and does so with vigor and passion. Here is the synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Rosetta Harper is plagued by nightmares of a masked man. With her father’s new career move, her family has just relocated from Florida, to the small New England town of Ashwood, a quiet town and close-knit community where you know your neighbors, and trouble is a word unspoken. But soon after her arrival, both Rosetta’s world and the worlds of her classmates come crashing down.

Michael hates his family and feels alone and unloved. He only finds comfort when he’s with his friends, but even they get on his nerves. Everything about Ashwood and his life bores him, until Rosetta Harper moves into town. With her as a new classmate, Michael finally gets the excitement he was looking for, but it may be at too high a cost…
Overall this is a great story. The author does a marvelous job of bringing to life the struggles of the average teenager, and showcase the mindset teens have when facing larger than life problems. The only criticism I have would be that the novel could have benefitted from less lengthy chapters. The story was strong enough to stand on it’s own, but in several instances the story would delve into too much detail, and would have been better off leaving things to the reader’s imaginations. 
I did enjoy this story. It was an edge of your seat thriller with characters the reader can either identify with or can associate with people close to them. The small town life these teens have mixed with the supernatural and psychological horrors of the story make this a fascinating read. I will say as a word of warning that this book does delve into mental illness within the story, and showcases how teenagers sometimes view it. While true to today’s world, the less than politically correct viewpoints of the characters at time could be triggering to those who struggle with mental illness. Despite this, the story was a fun, intense thriller with a heart-pounding conclusion you guys won’t want to miss, so be sure to check out Ryan Hill’s Barking Madness, available now!
Rating: 8/10
http://www.pulsepub.net/barking-madness.html

Pipeliner by Shawn Hartje 

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Sex, drugs and rock and roll. Every wannabe rock star has had this vision for their lives, but never was it more prominent than in the 90’s. For Jason Krabb, that dream dominated his small town Idaho life, as evidence by the coming of age tale Pipeliner by Shawn Hartje. Here is the synopsis:
Description

For seventeen-year-old Jason Krabb, high school life in 1990s Idaho is a world of cargo shorts, cassette tapes, and junk food. Plagued equally by algebra and puberty, Jason sets out to find a girlfriend and become a rock guitarist. His quest is irreversibly jolted when he attends a bonfire and meets an alluring girl from the other side of town and a rag tag crew who are bringing gas lines through the desert in order to keep the lights on in Portland and Seattle, places where Jason hopes to find his nirvana as a guitarist.
Meanwhile, things deteriorate at home. Jason’s pediatrician mom, Leah, sadly faces the twilight of her parenting years while his father, Curtis, contends with the enormity of running a big ticket research laboratory and coming to terms with his son’s wayward path.  
Pipeliner is at once a coming of age love story and a comical timestamp of early 90s family life. Set in the fictional Idaho town of Helen Springs, pop. 58,000, its characters are as vibrant as the lofty peaks and purple sunsets of the high desert. Here we find rich farmers, poor ranchers, dutiful Mormons, government honchos, disgruntled vets, drug-dealing bruisers, irksome teachers, and spirited students, all doing their best to keep the lights on. 
This novel has some amazing themes flowing through the tale. Examining life in a small town in 1990’s Idaho, readers are treated to the social divide between the classes, showcasing a struggle to bridge the gap between a young man with a desire to be free and a passion for a girl with a troubled past. As Jason struggles to associate himself with the drug-fueled lifestyle of some of the lower-class citizens, he must also contend with parents who take a hands-on approach with their parenting. While Jason’s mom has good intentions, readers will learn that sometimes being the younger child brings more challenges with parenting, and sometimes our children don’t grow up to become what we expect them to.
This is a beautifully written story, showcasing the tone of the 90’s with perfection. The setting of the Midwest is the perfect challenge for a young man desperate to escape to a life of rock and roll. The need for freedom is felt as Jason struggles throughout this story, and yet while teens can identify with that, adults can also see and identify with the poor decision making that teenagers often have. 
Overall this was a fantastic story from authors Shawn Hartje. The story of Jason Krabb is a familiar one, and yet it’s told with a vintage voice that 90’s kids can identity with easily, and anyone who has ever wanted to pursue a creative career like music can see the fire that must radiate in protagonist Jason Krabb’s eyes. It’s a wonderful read, and i hope you guys will be sure to check it out for yourselves. Get your copies by following the link below, and be sure to follow Shawn Hartje now!
Rating: 10/10
Pipeliner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NBFHDTX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kLVEzbPR83VT2
Twitter: @pipelinernovel

Daddy Dearest by Paul Southern REVIEW

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Daddy Dearest by Paul Southern REVIEW
A good writer knows when to live on the edge of their genre and push the boundaries, taking a story in directions the reader would never otherwise have known to go. That is exactly what happens in author Paul Southern’s novel, Daddy Dearest. Here’s the official synopsis:
An estranged father’s weekend with his beloved five-year-old daughter turns into a nightmare when she gets into the lift of a city centre tower block and goes down without him. She vanishes without a trace. It sets off a race against time, and a nationwide manhunt, to find her. As the police investigation closes in, suspicion falls on those closest to her – with devastating consequences. Daddy Dearest is a terrifying story of love, obsession and psychological meltdown.
‘My daughter has always had a thing about lifts. There’s something about the thrill of pressing a button and seeing the lift doors close which excites her imagination. It terrifies me. Every time she walks in, I imagine it’s the last time I’ll see her. What if she hits the button before I get there? What if the lift doors close and I can’t get her out? It drives me nuts. There are eight floors in the Sears building, nine if you count the basement, and the lift is fast: more like a fairground ride, really. It does top to bottom in twelve seconds. I’ve timed it. Taking the stairs, I’ve done it in forty-two. That leaves a gap of thirty seconds. You’d be surprised what can happen in that time. I was.’
This book was a whirlwind read, taking the reader through twists and turns galore. The plot of the story is ever changing, as is the protagonist of the book. In one minute, you hate the man who narrates the story, revealing his prejudices and hatred as if they were simple facts of life. In the next instance however, your heart goes out to the guy as you learn about his close relationship with his daughter and the pain it causes him when she’s gone. The back and forth struggle with his character is a breath of fresh air in the thriller genre, as it depicts how often we view people in our own lives. So often our heroes become villains, and those we condemn end up being the people we need most in our lives. 
The writing from the author is superb, showcasing a talent for exploring the mind of people, and how a person is able to justify their actions to fit their own purposes. The pacing was perfect, delivering each twist with elegance and grace that allowed the reader to be surprised and yet able to accept each new reality with ease.
Overall, this was a fantastic read that any fan of the thriller genre should immediately read. The writing was phenomenal and by the end of the story, fans will be left breathless as the final outcome is revealed. Will this little girl be found? Who took her? Find out when you pick up your copies of Daddy Dearest by Paul Southern today!
Rating: 10/10
Daddy Dearest https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DC2EPOE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_H6ixzbGB1MFW2

Growth and Change Are Highly Overrated by Tom Starita Book Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

Everyone has a dream in their lives, but what are some people willing to do or willing to lose in order to accomplish that dream? That’s the question explored in author Tom Starita’s novel, Growth and Change Are Highly Overrated. Here is the synopsis:

Growth and Change Are Highly Overrated is a classic coming-of-age story that takes a unique and comic look at what we all fear— having to grow up and abandon our dreams. For a charismatic man like Lucas James, life is a breeze because everyone else provides the wind. This man-child front man for a mediocre cover band has been mooching off of his fiancée Jackie for years until she finally decides she’s had enough. Faced with the reality of having no income to support his carefree lifestyle, Lucas James abandons his principles and gets a job working in the stockroom at, “That Store.” How does he cope with this new found sense of responsibility? He casually steals… In a life spent bucking authority how will Lucas James deal with his manager, ‘Victor the Dictator’? How long can he survive Ralph, a starry-eyed coworker who desires nothing more than to be best friends? Will Lori, a twenty-something cashier, be like everyone else and fall for his charms? Will he ever find a place to live? And is “growing up” just another way of saying “selling out?” With this hilarious and engaging novel, author Tom Starita perfectly captures a character we have all met and perhaps some of us know all too well.
When you read this novel, you’ll quickly realize that we all know a Lucas James. He’s the kind of guy who abhors responsibility, challenges authority and is willing to use anyone to achieve their goals, and yet they work under the guise of being “free” and yet everyone around him feels drawn to him and his personality. That is who Lucas James is, and as he narrates his story, you’ll learn how he became the man he is today, and how he relates to those around him.
This is a journey of a man with a dream, and the consequences of pursuing that dream. The story itself is highly entertaining, and written with a fresh, unique voice from author Tom Starita. The brutal honesty of Lucas James to the reader while showcasing the lies he’s willing to tell to the people around him are a fantastic source of irony, and the very realistic depiction of not just a wannabe rock star, but of a person who’s dream trumps any and all relationships and responsibilities, makes this a must read novel that readers will not want to miss. 
Overall, this was a fantastic read. Often times it was funny, other times dramatic and sad. The tale of Lucas James is a familiar one, and yet it’s presented in a new and exciting way, and that’s why I give Growth and Change Are Highly Overrated by Tom Starita a 9/10 rating. Be sure to pick up your copies of this amazing novel today!
Growth and Change Are Highly Overrated https://www.amazon.com/dp/1520705816/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5G3rzbMJZDS5C

The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews5 Comments

I received an ARC copy of this novel. All opinions are my own and my review of it is unbiased.

The next great serial killer is born in J.D. Barker’s The Fourth Monkey, a brand new thriller that focuses on the hunt for a killer in the city of Chicago. Here is the official synopsis:

For over five years, the Four Monkey Killer has terrorized the residents of Chicago. When his body is found, the police quickly realize he was on his way to deliver one final message, one which proves he has taken another victim who may still be alive.

As the lead investigator on the 4MK task force, Detective Sam Porter knows even in death, the killer is far from finished. When he discovers a personal diary in the jacket pocket of the body, Porter finds himself caught up in the mind of a psychopath, unraveling a twisted history in hopes of finding one last girl, all while struggling with personal demons of his own.

With only a handful of clues, the elusive killer’s identity remains a mystery. Time is running out and the Four Monkey Killer taunts from beyond the grave in this masterfully written fast-paced thriller.

I have to say it: this is by far the best book I’ve read thus far in 2017. There have been nothing but great reads this year, but the way this book is written and brought to life is truly awe inspiring. The story of the Four Monkey Killer, or 4MK, is one of the most brilliant character developments in a story this year. Not only are readers taken on a journey to find the killer’s last victim, but they are given a rare, disturbing yet addicting to read look into the personal mind of the killer, learning about what made this individual become a killer in the first place. Seamlessly navigating back and forth between the investigators on the case and their lives, and the personal diary of a serial killer, this novel immediately captures the readers minds in just a few pages and is relentless in its dive into the macabre world of 4MK.

Written with a voice that commands the readers attention and artfully showcases the twisted, tormented journey of all parties involved, from the investigators chasing a killer, to the victims of the killer, to the dark life of a serial killer, this is a story that brings a fresh new take to the serial killer/thriller genre. As the reader delves into this story, they will learn the twisted mission the killer had, and why the killer chose the victims that they chose. Soon the reader will ask themselves if anyone is truly “innocent” in this story, and a shocking twist will leave both the characters and the readers hanging on the edge of their seats, breathless as they eagerly wait for the answers to be revealed.

Overall, this is a must read thriller that you guys will not want to miss. With this story, author J.D. Barker cements himself as the newest voice of the thriller genre, and is definitely an author you will want to watch in the years to come. I give this book a 10/10 rating, and highly recommend you purchase your copies now. The book, The Fourth Monkey, is available for pre-order now and will be released on June 27th, 2017.
Be sure to get your copies and follow the author at his official websites listed down below! Remember to use the official hashtag, #4MK on your social media posts as well. Let’s help get this book the buzz it so heavily deserves.

As a special note, I wanted to let you guys know that I will be kicking off J.D. Barker’s blog tour for The Fourth Monkey on Friday, June 16th, 2017. I will be posting the links to both this review and my video review, as well as links to interviews with the author, some exciting news about the book, a special competition to win the book and of course the link to pre-order the book once more. Be sure to look out for this exciting blog tour in a few weeks. #4MK

J.D Barker’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/therealjdbarker/

J.D. Barker’s Twitter page: https://twitter.com/jdbarker

J.D. Barker’s Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/jdbarker

About J.D.

The Town of Jasper by James Gianetti Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews3 Comments

The Town of Jasper by James Gianetti Review

A fresh take on the isolated town story, The Town of Jasper is a unique tale that follows two people, one a cop and an addict who struggles to
learn the dark secrets of the outbreak within Jasper, and the man who rose to power during the crisis in Jasper. Here is the synopsis for James
Gianetti’s The Town of Jasper:

Deadly foes and unexpected allies. A thrilling race against the clock.

Jack Sutherland, a disgraced detective battling his own addictions, must trudge through the quarantined town of Jasper. After “The Incident”
leaving half of Jasper’s population unconscious, Richard Morrisey rose to power. Morrisey, a grieving man desperate for justice, keeps the town
afloat by forging a tentative alliance with the mysterious and violent Filmore Whites. Meanwhile, a deadlier enemy lurks, known only as The
Redeemers. This cult has its own dark ideas for Jasper’s salvation.

Together, Sutherland and Morrisey battle impossible odds to save what little is left of Jasper.

The story of a small town being isolated from the world has seen a growth in popularity in recent years. From the highly acclaimed Stephen King
book Under the Dome to the popular Netflix series Between, this particular story has been used quite often. That is why it is so refreshing to
read a book with such a breath of fresh air into this particular genre. Rather than kill off half of the town’s residents or have them disappear,
readers are able to feel a more emotional connection to the characters as they are forced to watch over their loved ones, who remain unaware
of the situation developing in the town. The dark, complicated lives of both Jack and Richard are thoroughly explored in this book, and readers
will love to see the emotional roller coaster these two characters go on themselves, as well as the effect it has on the supporting characters
in this novel.

The novel itself was very well written. With very minimal grammatical errors, this story flowed beautifully, and the way the author eased back
and forth between the past and present from chapter to chapter until both finally caught up with one another was a great story telling device
that was used organically. Overall, this is a rich, dark and powerful thriller that readers need to read. The emotions running through this
novel are felt on every page, and that’s what makes this such an intriguing read. I give this book a 10/10 rating, as it kept me interested and
hanging on the edge of my seat as I read it, and I think this book showcases a true calling to writing for James Gianetti, and I hope to see more
of his work in the future. Be sure to pick up your copies of The Town of Jasper on May 9th, 2017!