Review – Cell Wars
Cell Wars: A Hilarious yet Heartwarming look “Inside…” 
Rating: 5 of 5
Author: Adam Fox
Format: Kindle
Working tirelessly as head of the “Immigration and Foreign Object Office” (IFOO), Bill decides it is finally time to take a vacation and get away from it all. You see, Bill is one of the many workers responsible for making sure their host – Brian – stays in good health and lives a nice long life. But as Bill travels through heart junction, spends some time with workers in the Liver and throws back a few at “The Singing Sphincter” bar, Bill sees that not all is running so well within Brian. Years of poor food choices, lack of exercise and a high stress job have caused multi system problems as well as led to something so dark and evil it could be the end of Brian. Unable to make his host change behavior in any meaningful way, Bill decides to do the unthinkable and leave the host and try to communicate with Brian’s spouse to see if the solution lies within her. What Bill finds there is something both wonderful and unexpected.
Adam Fox’s “Cell Wars” is an imaginative, hilarious, light, yet heartwarming tale of the life and the “battles” that take place every day within our bodies. The characters, their environment, and voice are spot on and the premise so unique that the pages fly by. I enjoyed how Fox painted a perfectly detailed environment within Brian and used this unique perspective to then contrast the “new world” explored within the spouse. The connection between the two hosts’ activities, behaviors, and beliefs and how they translate internally especially given their different genders is highly entertaining as well as telling when it comes to overall happiness and health.
Cell wars is a great, quick read, and readers will enjoy the journey. For the price, this is an incredible value that should not be passed by!
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Review – Draykon
Draykon – A Great Start to the Series
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Charlotte E. English
Format: Kindle
While exploring near her home in Glinnery, young Llandry Sanfaer comes across a hidden cave whose walls are filled with a beautiful gemstone. An amateur jewelry, she mines the gems subsequently fashioning them into rings, necklaces, and other items to sell at the local market. To her great surprise they become the desire of the seven realms selling out quickly. But soon those wearing these precious stones are found injured or murdered by creatures previously believed to be extinct from the lower realms. Summoners and Sorcerers alike are called upon to hunt and banish these creatures back to the lower realms and in the process they find the gates between worlds are appearing and opening uncontrolled and at alarming rates. What is causing this shift in the balance between the worlds? Who is hunting these precious stones and why? And how is it a small winged girl from Glinnery seems to hold the fate of the seven realms in her hands?
As I finished reading the final pages of Charlote English’s first book in the Draykon series I thought “Noooooo!” don’t let it end here! The book builds to a nice and surprising climax and satisfactorily answers many questions, but clearly leaves the main story arc unresolved with Llandry. Well done Ms. English. I’m definitely interested in seeing where this series is going. The premise of the seven realms and worlds connected through veiled gates is intriguing and English gives just enough information to describe these realms while leaving the reader to fill in the details.
The juxtaposition of Llandy, the poor girl from Glinnery and Eva, the High Summoner from Glour and how their stories evolve and intermingle is well executed and drives the plot forward along with mystery of the istore gem and the collapsing veil between the worlds. The evolution of Llandy’s character as she finds herself drawn to the istore gem and her ability to connect with the animals around her when she wears it adds to the gem’s mysterious properties as well as Llandry’s nature. Is she something more than she appears? And why are the seven realms separated at all?
Fantasy readers will find familiar elements here but at the same time something quite fresh making Draykon definitely worth picking up.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – The Steel Deal
The Steel Deal – A Unique Voice in the Gumshoe Genre 
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: James Blakely
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Gumshoe Sonny Busco is broke. Worse than broke, he owes everyone – big time. With loan sharks on his tail and his security gig not paying enough to keep up with the bills, he struggles to get from one end of town to the other in his junker car. Enter Pixy – young, attractive, in trouble, and willing to pay $2500.00 up front for Sonny to simply deliver a package to Santa Fe. What could be easier? Exactly. Too easy, and Sonny knows it. Things quickly breakdown and Sonny finds himself beaten and confused. Whose side is he working for anyway?
James Blakely’s “The Steal Deal” reads like an homage to Mickey Spillane Mike Hammer novels replete with witty repartee and smug confidence displayed by Blakely’s larger than life PI – Sonny Busco. With female character names like Pixy, Bambi, and Bevel Brand, it is no surprise Busco throws out lines like there is no tomorrow. The novel’s overall voice and narrative is perfectly executed. Just take a read of this passage:
“…the figure’s deep-set eyes, red-veined and volcanic, fixed an unflinching gaze directly on me. When the figure’s stiletto-then lips split, a hideous smile lunged for me…”. Great stuff!
This book was a lot of fun to read. No one talks the way Busco talks, but that is sort of the point of it all. Enjoy the character for who he is. Beyond the wonderful characterization and unique voice, there are also a number of surprising plot twists and turns and just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was surprised again. If this is your style read, you’ll love “The Steel Deal”.
I look forward to future Sonny Busco cases.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – A Trip to the Water’s Edge
A Trip to the Water’s Edge – Murder and Mayhem Mattie Mitchell Style!
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Mary Berger
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Mattie Mitchell and her friend Clare are a pair that seem to attract trouble. While out hiking they witness a murder, later they get involved in uncovering the truth behind a potential poisoning plot, and if that isn’t enough their attempts at pottery nearly run their instructor into retirement! But can Mattie and her friend solve all of these mysteries before they become victims themselves?
Mary Berger’s “A Trip to the Waters Edge” is a tongue-in-cheek chic-lit murder mystery. The beginning starts off with a gripping witness of a brutal murder but I’ll admit I was a little surprised that the main characters did not react as seriously to the crime that I would have expected. The storyline leaves the murder arc and takes an interesting turn into a potential poisoning at Autumn Leaves along with another arc devoted to the ladies adventures at a pottery class. I didn’t understand why these seemingly unrelated story arcs were injected in the narrative when the murder seemed to be the central element at the beginning so the story slowed down a bit for me in the first half of the book. However, the second half finds its pace and all of what I thought were distracting and unnecessary side journeys actually come together at the end.
For those who like a light hearted humorous murder mystery, check out “A Trip to the Water’s Edge”. The characters are a hoot and you’ll wonder what Mattie and Clare will get into next!
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review: Twin-Bred
Twin-Bred: A Richly Imaginative and Thoughtful Look into First Contact
Rating: 5 of 5
Author: Karen Wyle
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Communicating with the planet’s indigenous species – the Tofa – was close to impossible for the human colony. As a result, it was inevitable that tensions between the two races continued to escalate. If there was going to be long term success and at least a neutral if not successful partnership between Tofa and Humans, something different needed to be tried. One scientist – Mara Cadell – suggests something radical – an experiment of sorts – but one that could forever change the interaction between species and potentially create a new ruling class. Working on the theory that twin born children share a special bond of communication due to their unique shared experience, Cadell hypothesizes that a human / Tofa twin pair could potentially form bounds, empathy, and communications not otherwise possible. But Dr. Cadell has a secret that neither the Tofa or Human know – a secret that could either spell success for her experiment or result in its failure.
Karen Wyle’s “Twin Bred” is a richly unique and imaginative look into the challenges of first contact with an alien species. This is not a laser gun, spaceship, shoot ‘em up popcorn flick of a novel, but a well paced progression into an intriguing situation of two species hesitant and more than just a little suspicious of one another. Wyle crafts a tale following the grand experiment first through the chosen mothers of each species then the eventual birth and cohabitation and maturation of the offspring and their challenges. Though there is little in the way of action to drive the plot forward, I could not put down Twin-Bred in much the same way I was addicted to Nathan Lowell’s Trader Tales series.
The story’s uniqueness and Wyle’s ability to carefully inject numerous thought provoking concepts were the reasons I had to give this five stars though I would have liked a stronger climax and ending. And while the main story arc is complete, I see how a series could be made from this concept (which I would gladly read). If you like works from Heinlein and Lowell, I think you will definitely enjoy Twin-Bred.
Note: A complimentary copy this novel was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – Final Mercy
Final Mercy – Castle Meets ER!
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Frank Edwards
Format: Paperback, Kindle
After his mentor retired as dean, emergency department (ED) director Jack Forester found himself on the wrong side of a political battle with interim dean Bryson Winter, MD. What had been a foregone conclusion with the hospital directors regarding modernization of the ED, under Winter has become a battle that Jack is quickly losing putting his department and his career in jeopardy. Soon, however, Jack and an out of state reporter learn there may be more than just politics at work after a string of suspicious suicides of hospital staff occur. Will Jack discover the horrifying truth before he is added to the list of victims?
The strength of Frank Edwards – Final Mercy – is his intimate knowledge of the inner workings of hospital administration back room politics and medical expertise that shines in this novel. With just enough details to give credibility to the medical issues presented without being over the top technically, Edwards strikes just the right balance in his narrative. The pace is leisurely at the beginning of the book leading the reader to conclude this is perhaps just a story of hospital politics. About half way through, however things pick up speed nicely and the depth of Winter as a character is revealed. Edwards does an exceptionally good job showing how such a high intellect suffering from a bit of psychosis can be such a dangerous combination. Winter is the perfect manipulator playing chess with the lesser minds around him and Edwards conveys this prowess masterfully.
Overall, this reminded me of a nice mix of the television shows ER and Castle – good medical drama with murder mystery mixed in. This is a gem of a find and I urge readers to pick up a copy.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – Fearmaker: Family Matters
Fearmaker: Family Matters – A Deviously Clever Novel
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Terry Castle
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Twelve-year-old Adam Castle has a secret, one he can hardly believe himself had he not heard the words straight from his parents mouths. The secret? His father is a cold blooded psychopathic murderer. And he seemed so nice. But what to do? Could it really be? Adam goes on a quest to confirm the awful suspicion he has, but after intercepting a package for his father – one with a cutoff toe inside – he is certain. Armed with his friend and video camera in hand to document his findings, Adam goes on a quest to save the next victim who just happens to be the cutest girl in school. But will his parents learn he knows their secret before he can save her?
Terry Castle’s “Fearmaker” is a deviously clever novel. It quickly sucks in the reader into a world of a twelve year old boy and any reluctant reader of similar age will easily become absorbed in the engaging story line. The book is, however, fairly gruesome in its descriptions though not necessarily over the top. None-the-less, parents may wish to read this book first before letting their kids jump in. If you do, read all the way through before making any judgements. And without giving the plot away, things work out in the end making this much less macabre than I thought it was going to be (which is why it is deviously clever!).
Castle is the real life daughter of horror film maker William Castle and it is easy to see where her inspiration comes from. Is this really fiction or was life at the Castle household a little like this? One can only wonder!
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – Run, Run, Run
Run Run Run – Trust No-one when on the Run
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Mark Capell
Format: Kindle
After witnessing a brutal murder, Dan Thompson decides to do his civic duty to ensure the man who has committed the crime is punished for his actions. Unfortunately, that man is one of the country’s most wanted crime bosses. Frank Tong, a crime family assassin, is sent to eliminate Dan and his wife, but government handlers arrive just ahead of Tong and whisk the couple away. To ensure their ongoing safety, the government removes all evidence of the couple’s old lives and enters them into the Witness Protection Scheme. Unfortunately, Dan and Sally find the program is anything but safe and only through a bit of luck are they able to escape Tong’s clutches and go forever on the run.
Mark Capell’s “Run, Run, Run” is a wonderfully paced thriller. I especially enjoyed the rich and multi-dimensional characters Capell creates. The protagonist, Frank Tong, is a self-mutilating psychotic murderer but he is definitely not the stereotypical killer as Frank’s inner demons also evoke incredibly evocative artwork. As for Dan and Sally not only is their relationship strained given their situation as each struggles with the lives they have lost but also the life they are creating both figuratively and literally. Who are they becoming in their new fictionalized world? This careful consideration and attention to characterization by Capell adds a depth to a what could have been just a nicely paced and engaging plot.
Finally, I enjoyed the interesting local that the UK provides in this novel – the Cornwall area is well described and the unique challenges faced by UK law enforcement add yet another wrinkle to the mix.
Capell’s Run, Run, Run is available on Kindle.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – Touring for Death
Touring for Death – Action in Arizona 
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: D.V. Berkom
Format: Kindle
After leaving Hawaii, Kate Jones decides to stop running from her past and heads to Arizona working as a tour guide taking customers into the beautiful and dangerous mountain mesas. Returning from one such journey with a family of four, the brakes in her jeep give out hurtling them downhill with little control. Through a bit of luck, Kate and her passengers barely survive the ordeal. As the days pass, Kate learns of a number of recent deaths which all share a common thread. They were all a part of recent tours that she had led. Is it her drug lord ex-boyfriend hunting her down once more, or is something else happening to Kate and will she figure it out before it is too late?
D.V. Berkom’s “Touring for Death” is the latest in the Kate Jones series of books. Similar to the preceding book – “Death Rites” – Berkom has added plot complexity to her patented action packed writing style. This is a bit more of a murder mystery than the other books and there are just enough hints provided along the way that the reader has the opportunity to figure out who done. But it won’t be easy, at least it wasn’t for me.
If you’ve liked early books by Berkom, you are sure to enjoy this one even more. This is one of the longer books by Berkom and has good pace balance throughout. As with all her books, this is another great value for the money. And although reading previous Kate Jones books will give context to “Touring for Death” this is really a stand alone chapter in the ongoing saga and readers new to Berkom can easily start with this novel and not miss a beat.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Book Review – Death Rites
Death Rites – Hawaiian Bad Spirits 
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: D.V. Berkom
Format: Kindle
After narrowly escaping death in Alaska, Kate Jones finds herself again on the run. Unfortunately, bad spirits have a tendency to find her wherever she goes and soon, death follows her once more. But something is different, and those who are after her are out for something much different than money or revenge and Kate suddenly finds her world and all she knows turned upside down.
In this installment of the series, Berkom introduces a bit of a twist in the Kate Jones series. I’m reluctant to give away too much of the plot line but lets say I think that this deviation from the Jones formula was a nice surprise which added mystery elements to her patented action movie style writing. I do feel sorry for poor Kate who is definitely a magnet for bad luck. I don’t think her life will ever slow down!
Fans of the series will enjoy this chapter of the story. Next up is Touring for Death. Well have to see what trouble Kate gets herself this time! Always a great bargain on Kindle, download a sample and I’m sure you’ll get pulled in to the Kate Jones adventures!
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review
