Book Review: Lost Tides: Elemental Seekers Series by H. M. Sandlin

     When Sally falls, breaking her leg, she finds out there is something different about her than normal. That difference is that she has control over elements. When her father is attacked on the way to the clinic that specializes in cases like hers it is decided that they must separate in order to escape the Pulhu. So while her parents travel to a haven in Ireland she is at the school learning her elements. The biggest problem is that she cannot let anyone know how much power she truly holds.
     There is a prophesy that must be fulfilled and the time is drawing near. The one spoken of must control all elements, including Void, and must choose Light or Dark. If that person chooses Light then the battle will be fierce and hard, but if Dark is chosen life will cease to exist as we know it. Let's hope that the correct decision is made or we could all be in danger.
     This book is a Harry Potter/ Percy Jackson mashup in the best way. You have what are essentially Gods, the original Elementals. You have spell-casting, in a sense, and potions. You don't know which adults to trust and depend on your friends for everything. Sounds familiar, right? But, the thing is as familiar as it is it is also new and fun. You don't know what to expect and find yourself drawn into this small groups adventures. I look forward to reading book two when I get the time!
This book is available on Amazon for Kindle Unlimited at https://amzn.to/3dVYEAK or buy it or $0.99.

Book Review: Ancient History by A. M. Lehman (Book Title has since been changed to Retribution Blues)

-----Please note. I read the version of this before the title and cover changed. I do not know if anything else has changed with this update.------
     Nash is a great agent of the FBI. His sense of duty has always come before all else, even his cat-burglar of a wife. He has been trying to divorce her for a few years, but she simply won't sign the papers. He had thought he had seen the last of her until Marco, another thief, stops him at a Smithsonian exhibit and says he wants her. Not much is thought of it until the bodies start piling up. Could Blue be behind this and he be going down with her or is this all some petty revenge scheme?
     This book would be a quick, fun read if it were not for how utterly atrocious the editing is on this book. In order to stop myself from trying to fix this book, as I have done with books in the past, I highlighted every sentence. According to the notes on my Kindle there were 56 highlighted spots. Which is considerable when you factor in that this is a 94 page book. If you can look past these issues and focus on the writing then it is a cute little story. As long as some editing is done I'd enjoy reading more about Blue's adventures.This book is available on Amazon for Kindle Unlimited at https://amzn.to/2zcwXVv or buy it for $3.88.

Book Review: The Monsters of Music by Rebecca F. Kenney

     What if some parts of fairy-tales were true and yet more complicated than we ever imagined? What if the muses of old were real and could increase your potential? That and more is a possibility. Mel is a muse and the pent up power within her is driving her crazy. In order to release it she must find a protégé. Her biggest problem? She is terribly scarred due to acid being poured on her face. The best place to combat this, of course, is a singing competition. Here she finds the ever adorable Kiyo Darcy.
     That is right, a real live Mr. Darcy. Except he is awkward and shy. He has amazing potential, but needs help to be the best he can be. With the help of his voice coach, Erin, he is sure to exceed every expectation. With a little bit of help, a lot of talent, and dash of love Voices Rising is sure to be a huge hit.
      What can I say, I am a fool for young adult novels. This book was a great blend of tragedy, comedy, and romance. All things that play a part in the theater. The songs within the book were relevant to now, and I knew most of the titles. This book was a fun read and one I suggest to all ages. There is just enough "sexy" in it for adults and the thrill of the singing competition for the teens. In this book I hated someone, as the author intended, until she decided that that person wasn't for hating after all.
     All in all I look forward to finding more books like this in the future and hope that others can enjoy this modern day phantom of the opera style book as much as I did.
This book is available on Amazon for Kindle Unlimited at https://amzn.to/3cMngf5 or buy it for $2.99.

Book Review: Ramus by Tony Ryan

     The disappearance of James Lockedon is a cause for little concern in the small town of Somerset at first, but the longer the investigation goes on the more is unearthed.  What starts as a simple missing person case soon spirals into a possible multiple murder case. The thing is the person of interest is such an odd individual and nothing seems to add up about him. What will be uncovered during this investigation and who is truly ready for it?
     The easiest way to sum this up is that I completed this book in less than twenty-four hours. From the start I was drawn into the mystery of the book. While at some point I read the synopsis by the point I started the book I had no idea what I was beginning, so it was a mystery for me as well.  I found myself looking up multiple words that I was not familiar with or initially thought were misspelled, only to discover they were British versions.
     All in all this is a great book that is a fun, fast read at 200 pages. All of the loose ends are tied up, and you end up feeling sympathy for someone that you wouldn't expect to feel it for. For anyone who takes a chance on this book I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
This book is available on Amazon for $3.99 at https://amzn.to/2LD6rqT.

Book Review: Rebecca's Choice by Heidi Gallacher

     Rebecca was awed when older Geoffrey asked for her hand in marriage. It wasn't an exciting marriage, and sometimes the wifely duties were taxing, but she was content. Geoffrey had made many investments into the railways and they would pave their future. That is as long as nothing changed. Everything is comfortable, until the day Rebecca makes her choice, which changes the course of her families life forever.
     This book has a slow start, in fact the entire first half of the book is slow and a tedious read. In part two it picks up and actually becomes enjoyable, however. The weather station is interesting, the cholera exciting, and the romance fun. I couldn't imagine having to rely so thoroughly on a man for mine or my child's welfare, let alone while not truly loving the man. A marriage of convenience is no marriage at all and I am so glad that that is not how our lives are anymore.
     This is a period piece, which isn't a preference of mine, but the book is well written and once it picks up it will capture your attention and keep it until the very last page. I am glad that the author included an epilogue which tied up all of the loose ends that had been left in the last chapter. All in all it is a good dated book, if you can make it to the halfway point.
This book is available on Amazon on Kindle Unlimited at https://amzn.to/3dTkPY8 or buy it for $4.99.

Book Review: Unscrupulous by Morgan Lee Wylie

     All his life Josiah has had a name to live up to and that was the only thing he had ever done as he was expected. Although, it is not something that he or anyone should be proud of. He lived up to his daddy's name, who was a cold blooded killer. Josiah has since spent his life bouncing around and becoming one of the best gunfighters in the West out of necessity to survive. Josiah figured that would be how he would end his life as well, if he hadn't met the sheriff's wife, Aimee.
     Aimee had few fond memories of growing up as she had been a sickly child. Then when her parents were murdered she leaned on the sheriff who was at the time courting her. Saying yes to him was her biggest mistake, however, and she needed to get out. If only the Malloy brothers would answer her letters and save her. But, when the notorious Josiah has her instead can she find more than just his past within his steely blue eyes?
     I enjoyed this book from start to finish, even if I did have to look up the definition of the title. It is actually really fitting and I love that there is more than one romance tied it. It is not busy, but instead seems to flow. Honestly I hope that Morgan finishes the book two that she mentioned today on her page soon so that I can find out the loose ends that were left at the end of this book.
      This is an old western book packed with lots of action, a bit of romance, sex, and betrayal. I hope anyone who reads it enjoys it as much as I have!
This book is available on Amazon for $2.99 at https://amzn.to/2ZkIZXB.

Book Review: Red Star Giant: Cold Hell Volume 2 by Konstantin T. Salmann

     Nevon, Nuna, and Dowagen have left their home behind and are now travelling to the North in order to fulfill the edict put into place by the creator of the machines. There is one problem. Bratan. He reported the car they were in as stolen and they have now had their identities revoked for the next month. That means that can't drive anywhere, they can't buy anything, and they can't use any kind of communication devices. Can the trio face the elements once more and make it where they need to go?
     Book two picks up roughly where book one left off. There are more exciting elements to this one and I found myself focusing less on what I needed to fix (as there weren't as many errors) and more on the story. I still can't say that I like the characters, but the plot held my interest and I wanted to know as much as possible about the space elevator.
     This book will keep you going with a similar background plot as book one while wondering about the characters backgrounds. We know a little about their immediate backgrounds now, but what caused them to be the way that they are and who they are. Also, English being Elvish is a pretty cool concept.
     All in all at the end of this book it further solidified the fact that I will be looking forward to getting my hands on book three.
This book is available on Amazon for $2.16 at https://amzn.to/3bIHaWY.

Books by this author:

Red Star Giant: 22nd Century Volume 1

Book Review: Red Star Giant: 22nd Century Volume 1 by Konstantin T. Salmann

          When Nevon wakes up from being in a car wreck so many things have changed. He is in a strange new place, he is white, and everything is more advanced. As hard to believe as it is he has found himself on another planet due to the intervention of some alien beings. Now he must face the perils that came with the body he now inhabits, the Nevon of Errat. Can Nevon survive the murder attempts on his life all while trying to figure out who he is and his place on this strange new world?

     I was approached by the author of this book and asked to read it as I write a book review blog. I purchased the book because I liked the synopsis. After reading a few chapters I edited a chapter and sent it to the author. The result of this was my editing both this book and book two. That being said, here are my thoughts on the book.

     Nevon is a male chauvinist pig and I cannot stand him. He is a terrible character and Konstantin has heard more than my fair share of judgments against this character. Bratan is much the same and the females are ludicrous. Honestly, I have never met individuals like those in this book and frankly hope that I never will.

     That is not to say that the book is bad. It isn't. It is a sci-fi book with a lot of technical aspects that were well explained. The concept is great and Konstantin did a fine job of executing it. The characters are what you could expect of some people, but there isn't a single character in the book that I was able to relate with or even feel any connection to. All in all it is a great book and I will read book 3 when it is ready, for more than the fact that I will be editing it.
This book is available for purchase on Amazon for $2.16 at https://amzn.to/2LEpstl.

Books by this author: 

Red Star Giant: Cold Hell Volume 2