I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A man discovers that in his most recent past life, he was murdered, and his murderer is still alive in author Angela Van Breemen’s “Past Life’s Revenge”, part of A David Harris and Emma Jackson Mystery series.
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The Synopsis
Have you ever had a dream that was so real, you were sure it was from a past life?
Since childhood, David Harris has suffered from debilitating nightmares. He has sought the advice of psychiatrists and other health professionals without obtaining any relief. When he meets an attractive young psychic, Emma Jackson, she encourages him to seek the help of her friend Anna Tungsten, a hypnotherapist. During an emotionally charged past life regression, David learns he was murdered in his most recent past life, thirty years earlier. When David realizes his murderer is still alive, he cannot move on and a build a new life with Emma until he has exacted revenge and stopped the murderer from killing again.
The Review
This was such a compelling and thought-provoking thriller. The author does a remarkable job of creating characters that readers can engage with and become invested in their journey. The action and suspense of the main journey and the tension that threaded its way into the narrative made this a remarkable story.
Yet the balance the author struck between mystery, suspense, and paranormal thriller really stood out to this reader. The concept of past lives and our connection to the universe as a whole stood out to me, and the twists and turns in the overall narrative as the protagonists delved deeper into this past life cemented the two protagonists as driven and capable characters that can drive readers further and further into this new paranormal mystery series.
The Verdict
Memorable, thoughtful, and entertaining author Angela van Breemen’s “Past Life’s Revenge” is a must-read mystery and paranormal thriller. The shocking revelations and the equally shocking twists that take the protagonists to the edge emotionally and physically will have readers eager to delve deeper into this new series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Angela van Breemen is delighted to have completed her first novel, Past Life’s Revenge, a crime thriller with a twist of spiritualism. She is an avid writer of poetry, belongs to the Wordsmiths Writers’ Groupbased out of New Tecumseth, Ontario and is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and the South Simcoe Arts Council. Angela is a Soprano Soloist.
A firm believer in giving back to the community, she often sings for different charitable organizations. Music and poetry have been an integral part of her life, and in early 2024 she launched her debut album, In The Breeze. Celtic in nature, it includes three original pieces of music, based on her poetry.
Angela volunteers for Procyon Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, a group dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and safe release of orphaned and injured Ontario wildlife.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four people find their lives converging in shocking ways as a shocking plot starts to take shape in author Russell Little’s “Murder for Me”.
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The Synopsis
Ava is a middle-aged socialite jogging through a wooded park near her Houston home. The trees and her earbuds provide the only escape from her problems. Little does she know another problem is waiting just ahead—the kind of problem that wants her dead.
Houston attorney Larry Lamb has his own difficulties to sort through. He’s mediocre at work and a failure at marriage, and there’s something inside him screaming to get out. It’s becoming harder and harder to control—and it’s affecting him in mysterious ways.
Ava’s husband Don is madly in love with Marilyn Ramirez, a woman with the power to convince men to do whatever she wants. Marilyn has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to have Ava murdered so she can have Don for herself.
When Don drops a six-figure retainer onto Larry’s lap to defend Marilyn, Larry schemes to dump the case and keep the money. But Marilyn has a different plan, and the minute Larry sees her, her plan starts working.
Can Larry resist Marilyn’s manipulation, or will she summon the mysterious voice hidden deep within him? Follow Larry’s journey into the mind in this dark psychological page-turner.
The Review
This was a compelling and gripping novel. The author immediately does a fantastic job of setting up these dynamic and thoughtfully crafted characters, giving readers multiple perspectives to follow as the plot develops. Immediately, the book establishes the hint of mystery and danger as a series of failed hits on a woman unfold before the reader. Establishing these characters’ backstories and the tension that mounts over time will keep the reader on the edge of their seats.
The narrative was the heart of this book, as the novel took the time to layer the mystery and intrigue while still creating a fast-paced thriller. The complex character development and the shocking realities that unfold instantly draw the reader in, and the heavy atmosphere will stay with readers long after the final page unfolds.
The Verdict
A dark and richly developed mystery thriller and suspense novel that blends the character development of a Dean Koontz novel with the intrigue of a Hitchcock film, author Russell Little’s “Murder for Me” is a must-read suspense novel. The twists and turns in the story and the shocking final scene will stay with readers well past the book’s final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Russell G. Little is a writer and practicing divorce attorney. Murder for Me is a fictionalized compilation of the many people he’s encountered over his lifetime and thirty-two-year career.
He lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife of thirty-two years, Melinda.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A private investigator and an ex-con are brought together by different circumstances to face a local crime lord in author David E. Feldman’s upcoming noir, “Let Thy Children Come”, the first book in the Hammer and Sharpe Noir Mystery Thrillers series.
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The Synopsis
Two days before Halloween, seven-year-old Kyle Robinson does not return home from school, and private investigator, recovering addict, and avowed cynic Sam Sharpe is hired by his parents, Sheila and Arthur Robinson, to find the boy. Sharpe soon finds himself entangled with local crime lord Wallace North and his savage enforcers.
Meanwhile, Judah Hammer, a tough ex-con with a good heart, is release from jail after serving three years for manslaughter, and returns home to his large and loving family. Judah’s father, a well-respected banker, is killed by a bomb that goes off at his bank, and Judah suspects that North is behind his father’s death.
This noir mystery thriller includes a strong cast of fascinating, ongoing supporting characters, from vicious killers to femme fatales, and multiple riveting interwoven stories.
Fans of Robert Crais, Lee Child, John Sandford will love this first in series, Let Thy Children Come, Hammer and Sharpe Noir Mystery Thrillers: Book 1, by the author of the 6-book award-winningDora Ellison Mystery Series.
The Review
What a genuinely mesmerizing and haunting noir thriller meets mystery read. The depths of layering the author did with this narrative were superb, allowing the reader to quickly get lost in the unfolding mystery as it unraveled before their eyes. The way the author constantly escalated the danger and story was excellent, starting rapidly with the case of the missing child and a bed of complex conspiracies being discovered on both sides of the law as time passed.
The incredible world-building and character development were terrific. The thought-provoking twists in the characters’ stories and the mesmerizing way the author presented new challenges that made each character suspect at times while also giving readers and the protagonists a familiar foe to face made the characters’ arcs that much more powerful. Getting multiple perspectives on the mystery allowed readers to be confronted by this haunting narrative on numerous fronts.
The Verdict
Engaging, thrilling, and thought-provoking author David E. Feldman’s “Let The Children Come” is a must-read noir mystery novel. The plot’s twists and turns and the unraveled web of conspiracy will keep readers invested, and the heart-pounding action and suspense will have readers eager for the next entry in this fantastic new series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
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David E. Feldman has written 10 books of his own and ghost-written many others. He has made several films, won 2 film awards and won a playwriting contest in 2022. His first in series Not Today – Dora Ellison Mystery Book 1 was a Best Mystery 2022 Killer Nashville Claymore finalist and was followed by five more Dora books. His novel The Neighborhood was a 2023 finalist for The Book Excellence Awards. He also writes essays and articles both digitally and for print.
He plays piano and sings professionally and loves to paint, which he does both for fun and commission. He adores his wife, two sons and their Yorkie. He has an MLS degree in Library & Information Science.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman with a target on her back and a man haunted by his past must work together to prevent armageddon in author Bruce Farmer’s “Blood Sapphire’s Revenge”.
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The Synopsis
Dive into the heart-pounding world of “Blood Sapphire’s Revenge,” where the stakes are high, the tension is palpable, and every page brims with adrenaline-fueled action. Author, Dr. Bruce Farmer delivers a tour de force military thriller that rivals the best of Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher.
Meet Haddy Abrams, a fearless warrior whose resolve is matched only by her inner demons. After a daring sniper shot in the treacherous Hadhramaut Mountains of Yemen, Haddy becomes the target of a nefarious Eastern European oligarch known only as “X.” Surviving an assassination attempt only fuels her determination to bring justice to those who seek to destroy her world. But as she battles her personal demons, she’s haunted by a mysterious man from her past, a man who seems more like a ghost than a memory.
Meanwhile, halfway across the world, New York City detective Wolf James is thrust into a covert operation in Ukraine, his dreams haunted by the enigmatic dark-eyed woman he once glimpsed atop Mount Rainier. As Wolf grapples with his own demons, he finds himself face-to-face with the woman of his dreams, joining forces with her without hesitation.
Against a backdrop of global intrigue and impending doom, Haddy and Wolf embark on a perilous journey to save the world from Armageddon. Dr. Farmer weaves a complex web of secrets, twists, and heart-stopping moments, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. “Blood Sapphire’s Revenge” is a character-driven masterpiece that explores the depths of human resilience and the power of redemption, leaving readers breathless and begging for more.
The Review
This was an action-packed and adrenaline-fueled thriller. The author’s attention to detail in the military jargon and activity and the rich character dynamics between Wolf and Haddy made the compelling action scenes and mesmerizing emotional connections that formed much more enticing.
The way the author brought such a strong and badass female protagonist to the page was great to see and much needed in the military thriller genre. The tension, chaotic atmosphere, and the chilling antagonists the heroes must face make this thriller stand out, compelling the reader to get lost in this mesmerizing globe-trotting suspense drama.
The Verdict
Harrowing, engaging, and memorable author Bruce Farmer’s “Blood Sapphire’s Revenge” is a must-read thriller. The twists the author gives to readers throughout this novel and the compelling military action fans of the genre have come to expect make this a remarkable story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab this debut novel from author Bruce Farmer today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
A far-ranging and adventurous life has taken author Dr. Bruce Farmer to multiple countries and through multiple careers.
Whether practicing emergency room medicine, teaching Science and Theology at a small liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon, or developing a new approach to physical therapy that can relieve back pain and restore healthy function, Dr. Farmer’s diverse and far-ranging life inspires both his characters and his writing.
An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Farmer enjoys hiking, mountain climbing and skiing. He has summited numerous peaks throughout the Cascades Range in both Oregon and Washington.
In developing his characters, Bruce draws inspiration from the outdoors and what they can reveal in one’s character and soul.
Bruce is a father and grandfather, with three children and five grandchildren. He lives just outside of Portland, Oregon.
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 detective must work to solve who was responsible for the car bombing that nearly took his life in author Dan Flanigan’s “On Lonesome Roads”, the third book in the Peter O’Keefe series.
The Synopsis
SOME ROADS MUST BE WALKED ALONE
As private detective Peter O’Keefe continues to heal from the burns he suffered from the blast of a car bomb, neither he nor the police can prove who his assailants were. The media speculates that “The Outfit,” a mafia group in the city, is to blame. O’Keefe isn’t so sure, but he means to find out – and fast.
Terrified of another attack, O’Keefe’s ex-wife, Annie, won’t allow his eleven-year-old daughter near him except under the tightest security, including an armed guard. He can’t blame her. It isn’t safe for Kelly, or anyone else he cares about, to be near him while his attacker is on the loose.
In a desperate effort to keep his family safe and restore his life to some measure of normality, O’Keefe becomes consumed with solving the mystery of who is hunting him. Along the way, he’ll be forced to negotiate with The Outfit – a “devil’s bargain” that just might cost him everything.
The Review
The level of depth and development that this cast of characters took on was incredible to see come to life on the page. The intricacies of the corruption and violence that the protagonist came across both within the confines of The Outfit and the politicians that keep crime circulating were well developed and allowed the reader to feel the tension and heavy atmosphere the author created.
The complexities of the protagonist and his mindset were insightful and thoughtful. The balance the author struck between the investigation as a whole and the protagonist’s desire to repair his relationship with his family was remarkable to see come to life on the page. The suspicion and paranoia that come with an investigation like this and the personal nature of the case for Peter made this story fly by.
The Verdict
Memorable, thought-provoking, and entertaining author Dan Flanigan’s “On Lonesome Roads” is a must-read entry into the Peter O’Keefe series! The twists and turns in the story and the thoughtful approach to the noir thriller genre made this a gripping narrative that readers won’t put down. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Dan Flanigan is a novelist, playwright, poet, and practicing lawyer. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Rice University and J.D. from the University of Houston. He taught Jurisprudence at the University of Houston and American Legal History at the University of Virginia. His first published book was his Ph.D. dissertation, “The Criminal Law of Slavery and Freedom, 1800-1868.”
He moved on from academia to serve the civil rights cause as a school desegregation lawyer, followed by a long career as a finance attorney in private law practice. He became a name partner in the Polsinelli law firm in Kansas City, created its Financial Services practice, chaired its Real Estate & Financial Services Department for two decades, and established the firm’s New York City office and served as its managing partner until October 2022.
Taking a break from the law practice for two years, he and his wife, Candy, founded Sierra Tucson, a prominent alcohol and drug treatment center located in Tucson, Arizona.
Recently, he has been able to turn his attention to his lifelong ambition—creative writing. In 2019 he released a literary trifecta including “Mink Eyes,” the first in what has become the Peter O’Keefe detective series, which was a 2023 Best Book Award Legacy Fiction Finalist, “Dewdrops,” a collection of shorter fiction, and “Tenebrae: A Memoir of Love and Death.”
“Tenebrae” is a bracelet of verse and prose poems dedicated to his wife, Candy, to honor her last illness and death and their 40-plus years together, a work that has been described as “celebratory” and “heartbreaking and exquisite.” It was a Finalist for both the 2022 IAN Book of the Year in Poetry and in the 2022 American Book Fest “Best Book” Award in the Legacy: Autobiography/Memoir category.
“The Big Tilt”, the award-winning second book in the Peter O’Keefe series, was published in 2020 and has been described as “deft, hard-boiled, but literary prose that’s reminiscent of Raymond Chandler’s best work.” The Big Tilt won the 2022 National Indie Excellence Award for Crime Fiction and was a Finalist for the 2022 Independent Author Network’s Book of the Year in Thriller/Suspense. Most recently, “The Big Tilt” was a Legacy Fiction finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award as well as making the 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Award Grand Prize Short List.
“On Lonesome Roads,” published April 26, 2022, is the third book in the series and continues in the award-winning tradition of its predecessor. Honored as a Notable 100 Book in the 2022 Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Competition, “On Lonesome Roads” has more recently been a finalist for Crime Fiction in the 2023 National Indie Excellence Awards (after “The Big Tilt” won the award in 2022), a silver medalist for the 2023 IPPY Ebook awards, and winner of the 2023 American Fiction Awards in the Mystery/Suspense category.
Dan has also written stage plays including “Secrets” (based on the life of Eleanor Marx) and “Moondog’s Progress” (inspired by the life of Alan Freed), which was awarded the 2022 Honorable Mention in the 91st Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition for “Script.”
His novella, “Dewdrops,” was originally written for the stage and enjoyed a full-cast staged reading at the Theatre of the Open Eye in New York. The short story collection comprised of “Dewdrops,” “On the Last Frontier” and “Some Cold War Blues” was a Finalist in the 2022 Independent Author Network Book of the Year for Short Story Collection and a 2022 American Book Fest “Best Book” Award Finalist in Fiction-Short Story.
Dan serves on the Board of Directors of Childhood USA, the U.S. arm of the World Childhood Foundation, established by Queen Silvia of Sweden, working to end child sexual abuse and exploitation everywhere. He divides his time among Kansas City, New York City, and Los Angeles.
Cyber pirates plot to deliver destructive software payloads for computer domination
Mephisto and Callisto are playing for the end game. Their agenda looks like blackmail for financial gain, but their true goals are far more menacing and devastating. Everyone is at risk.
An intriguing game of digital cat and mouse pits the R-Group against Darknet cyber assassins.
Destructive code appears then vanishes risking lives from various points around the world. The methods of infiltration are mindboggling and nearly untraceable.
Financial Institutions, Utilities, Military bases and others are at risk from this indestructible virus.
The R-Group’s Jacob, Petra, and Quip stretch their vast technical talents to the limits to find the source of the vanishing villain that strikes at the heart of a computer.
Finding a solution before more lives are lost – IMPOSSIBLE!
Where and when will the next target succumb to this retched Ghost Code?
The Review
In this ever-increasing technological world, the threats that we, as individuals and society as a whole, are far grander than ever imagined. The authors do an incredible job of showcasing this, exploring the world vulnerable to digital attacks. The authors play into people’s genuine fears regarding our reliance on technology, showcasing the chaos and terror that digital terror attacks on our infrastructure can have on our world.
Yet amidst all of the technothriller action, the character development and the rich imagery really made this story shine brightly. The relationships these teammates form with one another, and the mindset of the antagonists the team comes across along their journey really helped elevate the adrenaline-fueled action that the story took on.
The Verdict
Memorable, compelling, and thought-provoking authors Breakfield and Burkey’s “The Enigma Wraith” is a must-read technothriller. The twists and turns in the narrative and the fantastic character development made this a thrilling novel in which to get lost. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Authors
BREAKFIELD-Charles works as a data/telecom solution architect and supports digital security, blockchain solutions, and unified communications. He enjoys writing, studying World War II history, travel, and cultural exchanges. Charles’ love of wine tastings, cooking, and Harley riding often provides writing topics.
Much of his personality comes from his father who served in the military for 30 years and three wars. Charles grew up on multiple bases and different countries. The multi-cultural exposure helps him with the various character perspectives they bring to the series. His personal ambition is to continue to teach his co-author Burkey, humor.
BREAKFIELD AND BURKEY together build stories as fictional story writers. Storytelling is the best method to share excitement, thrills, and insights to today’s technology risks.
EnigmaSeries.com has information on their 12 books, 10 short stories, audio books, book trailers, and the upcoming Enigma Heirs.
Look for our cozy mysteries/murders in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles.
Rox Burkey is a Customer Experience Specialist who works with businesses around the world. As a gifted speaker and accomplished listener, she bridges the chasm between business problems and technical solutions to optimize business productivity. She has written technology papers, white papers, but launches into high gear when plotting our next technothriller or short story.
As a child, she led the other kids with her highly charged imagination generating new adventures with make believe characters. She is proud of being a Girl Scout until high school, and contributed to the community as a member of a Head Start program. Rox enjoys her family, learning, listening to people, travel, outdoor activities, sewing, cooking, and thinking about how to diversify the series.
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 man struggling to rebuild his life and a woman hiding from her past must contend with two vicious conspirators looking to reclaim her at any cost in author Melanie P. Smith’s “Mount Haven”, the first book in The Thin Blue Line series.
The Synopsis
When Evil finds her, will the hunters become the prey?
Rowdy Cooper was born into a family of cops, and he loves the family business. Then, one night, everything changes. He is shot in the line of duty and forced to retire. Depressed and a little lost, he moves to a sleepy little Montana town called Mount Haven. But, will the move prove therapeutic or lethal?
Bailey’s on the run. She landed in Mount Haven and fell in love with the peaceful little town immediately. She keeps to herself and reveals nothing, but her sharp mind and secretive nature has attracted the attention of the Cooper brothers. One is her new boss — the other the town sheriff, both are too perceptive.
As Rowdy struggles to rebuild his life, Bailey wrestles to keep her secrets hidden. But dangerous men are on the hunt… and Bailey is the prey. Suddenly, two sadistic conspirators emerge from the shadows united by one common goal; reclaim the woman that slipped from their grasp — and this time, there is nowhere safe to hide.
The Review
This was a gripping and compelling read. The author does a remarkable job of capturing the tension that builds between Rowdy and Bailey and in their lives, as well as these two dangerous individuals beginning to close in on Bailey. The intense action and suspense in this book allow the reader to get lost in the narrative itself, and the author’s descriptive writing allows the setting and atmosphere to become visualized quickly by the reader.
Yet, the character development really brought this story to life. From the dark and disturbing nature of the antagonists of this book and the horrific crimes, they committed to get to this point to the emotional core of both protagonists’ stories and the heated and passionate relationship that develops along the way, giving a nice balance of romance and action for readers to get lost in.
The Verdict
Memorable, exhilarating, and tense author Melanie P. Smith’s “Mount Haven” is a must-read action and suspense/romance novel. The twists and turns in the story and the shocking final stand against the antagonists will keep readers enthralled long after the book ends, eager for more from this incredible author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Melanie P. Smith was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has an Associates of Science degree in Marketing, a bachelor’s in Business Management, and a Masters Certificate in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation.
Long before she delved into the world of fantasy and suspense, Melanie P. Smith served nearly three decades in the Special Operations Division at her local sheriff’s office working with SWAT, Search & Rescue, K9, the Motor Unit, Investigations and the Child Abduction Response Team. She now uses that training and knowledge to create stories that are action-packed, gripping, and realistic. When Melanie’s not writing, she can be found riding her Harley, exploring the wilderness, or capturing that next great photo.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A CIA agent must race against the clock to stop a deadly attack on his country in author and Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes’s “A Fifth of the Story”.
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The Synopsis
What happens when you work for the highest security agency in the world but you can’t trust anyone? What if you returned from overseas to protect your country but the country didn’t protect you anymore? Find out what happens when three close friends return from fighting the enemy abroad and are faced with the greatest battles of their lives stateside. They try to stop their country and families from imploding before time runs out.
The Review
This was an adrenaline-fueled story that immediately became a hit espionage thriller. The atmosphere and character development in this story really captured the fun and thrill of the recent Netflix series The Night Agent, hitting on the tension buildup between the characters and the intense action scenes that highlight the threat the protagonist faces.
This novel did an extraordinary job of utilizing imagery to create an almost cinematic reading experience that brought the reader into this action-packed thriller. Yet the tense atmosphere as the protagonist struggled to find a way of protecting those closest to him and the nation he loves, as well as the mystery behind those involved in this conspiracy, made this story shine bright.
The Verdict
Memorable, intense, and entertaining author Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes’s “A Fifth of the Story” is a must-read action and espionage thriller that readers will love getting lost in. The twists and turns the story takes and the protagonist’s story of resilience and hope in the face of adversity make this a gripping tale. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Dr. Katherine received her BA in English and a MA in Elementary Education at Adelphi University. She received her Doctorate of Education and Supervision at Arizona State University. Katherine taught for 8 years before moving to the principalship of K-8 and K-6 schools for approximately 10 years. She has served as a freelance writer for various magazines including, Church Weekly, Prom Guide and Glendale Magazine. When Katherine isn’t working as counselor or writing curriculum she loves painting and photography. Some of her work in art, poetry and short stories has been distinguished by awards including the New York Mayor’s contribution to the arts Award, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She also runs recreationally, coordinates fitness boot-camps for women and has a black belt in Taekwondo. Katherine loves speaking to groups delivering her messages with quick wit and real-life stories. She has been involved in church ministry for 18 years leading women’s ministry, teaching, playing piano, singing, and teaching liturgical dance.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A killer is loose in York, and a young woman must navigate the worlds of both humans and the supernatural in order to stop this ruthless killer in author Alethea Lyons’s “The Hiding”, the first book in The Seer of York series.
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The Synopsis
Arcane archivist Harper has always been plagued by dreams of grotesque creatures and bloody deaths. When she bumps into a ghostwalker in the Shambles and has a visceral experience of his execution, she knows it’s a foretelling. Yet fear of the Queen’s Guard stops her speaking out. When her vision indeed comes true, the unusual markings on the ghostwalker’s corpse, combined with his neatly excised vocal cords, send a ripple of terror through York.
The witch hunt is on. As the body count rises, Harper knows her magic is the only way to find the killer – if she can avoid being hanged as a witch. To protect both human and supernatural, Harper walks the thin line between their worlds. She and her demonhunter foster-sister form a multi-faith team with a forensic scientist, a spirit Harper accidentally summoned, and a techno-witch, to catch the killer before more people die.
The Review
This was a compelling and fascinating read. The author does an incredible job of layering this story with mystery and intrigue. The infusion of the supernatural into the narrative felt very much integrated into the fabric of this world. The balance between this thriller, dark, and horror-filled storylines and the pops of humor and heart amongst the characters really brought readers into the narrative in a fun way.
Yet, it was the character development and setting that really made this story shine. Setting the narrative in and around the town of York and yet merging this shadowy, supernatural realm all around it allowed the town to feel like its own character. The banter and relationship between the main character and her sister will draw on the reader’s heartstrings, and the hint of romance that the author uses to shake up the main character’s world, even more, is also a great draw. Yet the complex themes of the blending of cultures and the hardship some face when met with criticism and judgment from overzealous minds really kept the narrative alive.
The Verdict
Heart-pounding, gripping, and engaging author Alethea Lyons’s “The Hiding” is a must-read horror/thriller that is not to be missed. The perfect way for horror fans to kick off the 2024 spring season, the twists and turns in the story and the shocking open-ended ending will leave fans eager for more. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on March 5th, 2024!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Alethea (she/ze) writes various forms of SFF, with a particular love for science-fantasy, dark fantasy, dystopias, and folklore. Many of her works take place at the intersection between technology and magic. She enjoys writing stories with subtle political and philosophical messages, but primarily wants her stories to be great tales with characters readers will love. She also has soft spots for found family, hopeless romances, and non-human characters. Her short stories can be found in a variety of publications and links for these are on her website.
Alethea lives in Manchester, UK with her husband, little Sprite, a cacophony of stringed instruments, and more tea than she can drink in a lifetime.
Bonus content for The Hiding & other works can be found on her website.
