Category: Genre

The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso

Title: The Tethered Mage
Author: Melissa Caruso
Pub. Date: 24-Oct-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

The Tethered Mage is the debut novel of Melissa Caruso and is the first book in the Swords and Fire trilogy. This book is truly a great way to start a new series. The author has built a wonderful magical world full of intrigue and characters to die for.

Lady Amalia Cornaro just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She is the Cornaro heir and will one day take her mother’s place on the Council of Nine. Therefore, when she inadvertently binds a young fire warlock to herself while trying to aid her it goes against all convention. The Empire does not allow a member of the council to be a Falconer for this could tip the balance of power. Continue reading “The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso”

Artemis by Andy Weir

Title: Artemis
Author: Andy Weir
Pub. Date: 14-Nov-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

Artemis by Andy Weir is the story of the struggle for control of the first lunar city and how a young smuggler got caught up in the deadly fray. There is lots of action and a main character I loved but would get so exasperated with. I have to give lots of kudos to Mr. Weir for another great story.

Jasmine, aka Jazz, immigrated to the moon with her father when she was just six years old. She is a bright young woman but suffers from poor life choices.  She currently works as a porter, though she could have chosen almost any career path given her intelligence. Being a porter allows her to smuggle in contraband from Earth with the help of her friend Kelvin. But Jazz has standards, no guns or drugs, just a few harmless items to make a bit of extra cash on the side. A girl has to make a living. Right? Continue reading “Artemis by Andy Weir”

Retrograde by Peter Cawdron

Title: Retrograde
Author: Peter Cawdron
Pub. Date: 12-Sep-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

Retrograde by Peter Cawdron is a sci-fi novel with the emphasis being on science. In addition, it is intensely suspenseful and it contains some of the elements of a thriller novel. Though it is a work of fiction, I could easily see the events described occurring within the next one hundred years.

The story is about the first human colony on Mars. The colonists consist of scientists and support personal, from a variety of countries, working together as a team to study Mars. They are almost an equal mix of male and female and represent a wide range of ethnic groups. Therefore, when the unthinkable occurs on Earth and the colony is left essentially to fend for itself it will be easy for individuals to think of themselves first and their country of origin next and not as a Martian. They will need to set aside their differences and think like Martians and use their collective intelligence if they are going to survive what is to come. Continue reading “Retrograde by Peter Cawdron”

Awakening Magic by Neely Powell

Title: Awakening Magic
Author: Neely Powell
Pub. Date: 14-Dec-2016
Rating: 4 Stars

Awakening Magic by Neely Powell is a paranormal story, with a touch of romance, about a family of witches that have carved out a safe haven for themselves and others like them in north Georgia.  When an old enemy returns to their normally quite community they must use their strength as a family unit to protect and save the ones they love.

Brenna Burns, one of the Connelly coven witches, has recently returned to New Mourne after spending several years in Atlanta. She is not the only entity that has returned to the small town. You see, every generation a Woman in White demands a sacrifice of one of the coven’s own as a tribute. As a precursor to the sacrifice of one of the Connelly witches an evil settles over the town causing death and destruction. Continue reading “Awakening Magic by Neely Powell”

When Life Gets in the Way by Ines Vieira

Title: When Life Gets in the Way
Author: Ines Vieira
Pub. Date: 1-Aug-2016
Rating: 4 Stars

When Life Gets in the Way by Ines Vieira is the coming-of-age story of Cassandra (Cass) MacKenzie and Isaac Silva, told in alternating POVs, and how each of them struggles with adversity during those trying teenage years. It is also a sweet love story with an emphasis on family dynamics and the important of family to relationships.

Cass is totally driven. She has one goal in mind and that is getting into Berkeley. She has been planning this life since she was a young girl and she is so close to her goal she can taste it. There are only two small problems. The first is her mother who has recently been extremely depressed and then there is her unexpected and unwanted desire for Isaac whose family has recently returned to Plymouth from Arizona. Continue reading “When Life Gets in the Way by Ines Vieira”

The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse

Title: The Art of Hiding
Author: Amanda Prowse
Pub. Date: 18-Jul-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse is the story of how one family dealt with the devastating double whammy of losing a loved one and financial security in one fail swoop; therefore, a reverse rages to riches tale. The story is intended to remind us that family is the most important thing in our lives and we can live, rich fulfilling lives, without the “stuff” that so many individuals focus their attention and hard earned money on acquiring.

Nina McCarrick has the perfect life. Two wonderful boys, a loving husband, big house, fancy car and all the trappings that go with the wealth that her husband’s successful business allows. Yet, behind the beautiful manured lawn lies secrets that will destroy all of this and reduce it to ash as sure as any conflagration. Continue reading “The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse”

Tobacco Sun by Lorna Hollifield

Title: Tobacco Sun
Author: Lorna Hollifield
Pub. Date: 13-Jun-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

Holy Smokes! Tobacco Sun by Lorna Hollifield has got to be one of the best written books I have had the pleasure to read this year.  It was so good, when I finished reading I had to sit there and let it simmer for a bit. The story is told from three POVs, Sydra the younger sister and Hollywood Star, Jimmi-Lyn the scarred older sister, and Vanse the lifelong friend of both. As each reflects on events during their life, the author is able to slowly and painstakingly paint a picture of the results of these experiences.

Sydra left for Hollywood just before graduating from high school with no intention of ever returning. That is until her mother dies and she is drawn back to the last place she ever expected to see again. She is there less than two days and she has already seduced Vanse and killed her father. Continue reading “Tobacco Sun by Lorna Hollifield”

Infinity by Tabitha Lord

Title: Infinity
Author: Tabatha Lord
Pub. Date: 24-Apr-2017
Rating: 4.5 Stars

Infinity by Tabitha Lord is the second book in the Horizon Sci-Fi series. It can be read as a stand-alone, though the reader would benefit from having read the first book prior to tackling this one. The second book is the continuation of Caeli and Derek’s story as they return to Almagest in a covert attempt to overthrow the ruthless dictator Marcus.

The Alliance has discovered that Marcus is involved in human trafficking of the Novali people, who are empathic, as a means to purchase advanced technology. The planet is vulnerable to falling into the hands of the Alliance’s enemies who would love to use the Novali as a weapon in the war against the Alliance. Since Almagest is not a member planet, the Alliance is almost powerless to prevent this from happening hence the mission. Once a democratic government is installed, Almagest can then apply for membership in the Alliance. Continue reading “Infinity by Tabitha Lord”

Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land

Title: Good Me Bad Me
Author: Ali Land
Pub. Date: 12-Jan-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land is a debut novel and a gripping psychological thriller. From the first page, I was lured into the dark places of a twisted and disturbed mind. The mind of Milly, who used to be Annie, and the story of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother a serial killer of children. Milly has seen and heard what no one should have to…. especially a child.

The story opens as Annie, at the age of fifteen, finally reaches a breaking point and turns her mother into the police. She tells the detective what happens in her home. What her mother does. She gives him a bloody piece of clothing and a teddy bear. She is scared. As promised, they come in the middle of the night and arrest her mother. She is given a new name, Milly, and a great foster family. They tell her how lucky she is to have a foster father like Mike, who is a psychologist. He will help her with the trauma and prepare her for the trial against her mother where she is the key witness. Continue reading “Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land”

We Were Strangers Once by Betsy Carter

Author: Betsy Carter
Pub. Date: 12-Sep-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

We Were Strangers Once by Betsy Carter is a poignant story about relationships and survival. Set in New York City just prior to the beginning of WWII. The nation is struggling through the depression and for those who have lost everything, family, jobs and country, it is particularly hard.

The story revolves around Egon Schneider, a Jewish ophthalmologist and recent immigrant, who fled Germany to avoid persecution by the Nazi regime.  Upon arriving in America he discovers that the land of opportunity does not have much to offer the flood of refugees exiting Europe. Where he was once a respected doctor, he is reduced to being the “Cheese Man” in a NY deli. He and his small group of German friends, including his best friend Meyer Leavitt, a once respected author, struggle with everyday life and assimilating into the culture of America. They struggle finding jobs, with the language and the prejudices and each, in their own way, attempt to bolster each other as best they can. Continue reading “We Were Strangers Once by Betsy Carter”