Book Review: Dead Close by Mark Robinson (The Last Podcast)

     One night all the residents of Roanoke Road go missing. A year later and the police are no closer to finding them, although a podcast by a friend of the niece of a resident casts plenty of speculation on what happened. Was it the mob? A sketchy pharmaceutical company? Rival drug dealers? The husband who was having an affair? Or maybe it was the previous land-owner Randal. Whatever the case may be no one is safe in Roanoke. 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I love a good murder mystery and each possibility within is discussed, even though we were given the answer within the first few chapters. I was curious to see if what caused all these disappearances would be stopped or if it would continue unhindered. Still, the who done it aspect was resolved during the book and there was some closure, even if all aspects of the book were not tied up tightly. This would give a great jumping off point for another book/story in the future, however. 

    The only aspect of the book I didn't really like is while we gain more information on Sarah and how her life changed with this ordeal after the initial set-up with Clive he is never mentioned again. We know he is living at his house. We know he leaves for work one day. Then nothing more is mentioned. It just felt like a string I wanted to pluck, even if the answer was likely as mundane as what he hinted at wanting before listening to the podcast. 

    While this wasn't the longest story it was engaging. The characters were developed and not one dimensional. Typos were infrequent and I have no major qualms with the end result. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $0.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Soul of Light and Thunder by Arianne Nicks (Soul Erosion Book 1)

     On her Aunt's death Sophie was given half of a broken compact mirror to go along with a story her aunt once told her of her lost love. Now, she is thrust into a world where magic users are the norm and no one is safe. A literal battle rages between the members of people considered warriors. The reward is co leadership of their entire people. If they are able to retrieve both her half of the mirror and the missing half they will be all powerful with the powers of Laura's lost love. Can she protect the mirror when she doesn't even know how to protect herself?

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book is written in a way intended to cast doubt on who the person who truly adores Sophie and wants what is best for her. Personally, I knew who it was from the beginning and the end only confirmed that knowledge. The author did a great job of casting that doubt. 

    I will let you know that this story reads very much like a young adult fantasy/romance although it is college age individuals instead of high schoolers. Although, they still count as young adults. I also want to let you know that this book absolutely ends on a cliff-hanger so I am sure there will be more to this story later on. The book is well written, with minimal typos and errors and is an all around enjoyable read, especially if you are a fan of who-done-its. 

    I look forward to finding out what happens when the two halves of the mirror collide, as I am sure this will happen at some point. I also look forward to seeing if she can gain magical abilities. Not that I am sure she would want them, but the information on the mirror doesn't expressly deny that ability. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Summerside Lake Massacre by L. R. J. Allen

    The year after the grand opening of Camp Summerside Karl Molyneux dropped his mask of normality and killed 8 people, including a little girl. He pled insanity and has resided in Lake Side Hospital ever since. Now that his trail has come to a re-hearing, almost fifty years later to see if he is rehabilitated enough to be moved to minimum security he escapes and is fully prepared to take anyone and everyone with him to maintain that freedom. This does not mean the councilors of Camp Summerside are safe. While setting up the camp they begin dropping, leaving behind a grisly tale. 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I love slasher movies and this slasher book has all of our favorite 80s and 90s horror movie aspects. Secluded and isolated camp. Revenge. Unhinged killer. And one can never forget the chase scenes. All of these things make for a read that you don't want to put down. 

    The book starts with the sheriff looking at the murder scene at the camp, although we have no idea if any of the residents survived the ordeal we are told of at least one of the people that are definitely going to die. Then, the story jumps backwards and begins to tell the story starting with the Molyneaux transfer. 

    While I fully enjoyed this book, including the epilogue I would have liked this section to include an update on the other hospital escapee to see how she is handling life with what was brought to life. It would be a hard thing to process, that is for sure. That is the only negative I have to add on this story. 

    The author casts just enough doubt for you to wonder who the murderer may be while leaving enough clues to make it obvious once revealed. An all around enjoyable read and I look forward to more from this author in the future.  

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $2.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Home Front by David Wickenden

     Donald, a retired WW2 vet, just received news of his terminal cancer. He's in his 90s and has lived a long life, but he doesn't want to go silently into the night. No, he needs to make a difference once more. However, at his age and in his condition that is easier said than done. When they turned on the TV and flipped it over to the news what he saw he almost couldn't comprehend. The Nazis he had helped liberate the Jewish from all those years ago had resurfaced in his home town and had blown up a synagogue. With the help of his friends he is able to spread his story of how he and those he fought with back then saved lives and the horrors they witnessed. One Neo-Nazi, Russell, is intent to silence Donald at any cost. Will he end him before the cancer and his message is spread? How high will the body count be? 

    I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have some regrets. There is so much politics in this book I had to physically force myself to continue reading more often than not. I was aware of the cancer and knew I would struggle with that aspect as my grandfather, who raised me, died from lung cancer in Oct 2022. Still, while that did give me the pause I knew it would my biggest complaint was all the politics. 

    I don't care about the authors opinion on the previous president trump. I don't care about his snide comments about his use of social media. I genuinely don't. If the book had all of the politics removed I probably would have genuinely enjoyed reading about an old vet having one last hurrah and making a difference. Especially with white supremist. There really is no place for that backwards thinking anymore. I want to let you know that those white supremist in this book are very stereotypical. As someone who is from the south it is mildly annoying that that is the depiction that they chose. But, to each their own. 

    Barring my complaints listed above the book is well written. I didn't come across typos or glaring grammatical errors which is always a plus. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Give Me Grace by Bethany A. Perry

     Grace stumbled into the hospital holding her intestines inside her body with no memory of who she was or how she got there. Monica was the healer on duty and began to nurse her back to health, under the name Grace. With no memory of her past life the Order took her into the nunnery and she became part of their group. In a way. However, Mother Mary is hiding a secret of Grace's identity from her to her own end. When she discovers the truth she may not like the person she finds, even if she doesn't remember most of their actions. 

    I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book has action, a bit of girl on girl sex, and demons all thrown together. The best description I have for these demons is think crossroads demons from supernatural. They'll possess someone, strike a deal, and go from there. Sans the hell hounds. In this case it seems that the demons get to possess the person they strike a deal with. 

    The story deals a lot with forgiveness and there is very little to no religious aspects in this book. Yes, I know there is a nunnery, but they serve Raphael who I'm not even convinced is a real angel in this book. Still, if there are demons why not angels. It isn't bogged down with religion, even when they are attending mass and even that is largely glossed over. Thank you for small favors! For me that was a major plus with this book. I am all for setting, but don't want to have to read about that. 

    You can see how the dynamic between Grace and Monica changes as the story progresses. There is the initial friendship, followed by betrayal, working past that to more, dealing with Grace's past life together, then the major betrayal. Still, everything worked out in the end, even if it wasn't how I imagined things would end. I hope for good things for Natalie's spouse and the kids. 

    I don't have any complaints about this book. While it wasn't one I couldn't put down it held my interest and I enjoyed the story. My favorite character didn't make it to the final chapter, but that is okay. I can't say who she is because I don't want to give away any deaths. I will say it was a background character. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $4.65 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Fractured by Gordon G. Bowman (Telepath Book 1)

     Waking up with no memory of anything, including her name, Zoe is soon thrust into a very unfamiliar world where people have the ability to battle with mind control. She shares these abilities, but cannot control when she accesses them. Being found by a professor of an academy which teaches others like her to control their telepathic abilities she makes a new friend in his daughter, and together they try to unravel the secret of who she is. However, this secret may put everyone she cares about at risk if she turns out to be a double agent. Something she hates to even think about. 

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I love YA fiction, although I haven't been reading it a lot lately. It just hasn't come up as much in my review requests. Still, when I started this I was excited to see what lay in store. With the physical books I read them at work in between calls. For those that don't know I work in a call center. This is great because it breaks up the monotony and gives my eyes a break from constant screens. However, when I am really enjoying a book, like I was with this one, it is also a pain because the book stays at my desk. So I don't have it when I'm home and can't devour it like I want to. 

    This book will keep you guessing which side Zoe is on and what the arrival of her friend from her old life could possibly mean. I went back and forth on it, but had ultimately decided on what ended up happening. However, I didn't expect what happened to the primary background character that died. I won't tell you who it is or how just that someone dies. There are a lot of primary background characters, though, so good luck with that minor spoiler.  

    I enjoyed this book so much that my supervisor and friend, Sadie, wanted to borrow it as soon as I was done so that she could read it too. While this book does have some aspects of YA romance it is primarily YA fantasy. The romance aspect was barely explored, although I could see it progressing much as Cassandra Clare's characters did. Without the temporary sibling plot point. This book absolutely ends on a cliffhanger and will leave you wanting more. I know I do!

    This book is available on Amazon for $2.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Dreams in the Dark by Calia Wilde (Destroyers MC Book 2)

     Indy has his girls and they can always count on him. Be it in the bedroom or as their manager he is always on their side and wants what is best for them. However, all the women that sleep in his bed do just that. Sleep. He is their safe space, but when curvy Edie draws his eye there will be no casual conversations. She might just destroy every rule he has ever built. When Edie was approached by the dark Fae in leather, oozing sexual intent, she was swept away happy to never leave his fantasy world. However, issues the past and personal scars may end things before they really begin. 

    I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. She sent me all five in the series, and I have been trying not to just devour all of them as I have A LOT of review requests. Still, it's been a few weeks since I posted the review of book one. I loved Indy in book one and I love him in this book. 

    Something that I really enjoy about both of the books so far in this series is its realistic. Not the Edie comparing him constantly to a dark Fae prince. Woman has been through some shit and that is her coping mechanism. I can't say I blame her with what she has had to deal with! I could never imagine losing my entire world the way she did. There wouldn't have been a place for him to hide, that's for damned. 

    Moving on. There is some loss, in this book, including children deaths. If that's not something you can handle I just want to give you that warning before going in. Its rough, but like I said, it's realistic. The characters won't fall at each others feet desperate for each other and completely unable to survive without the other. They're like real people. They argue. They walk away when it's too much. And they talk out issues together. Sometimes. 

    I LOVED the artistic element in this book and I REALLY hope we get to see Indy in that costume in the future. Also, just a heads up this is an older couple romance. They aren't in their twenties. In fact, Indy was born in the same year as my dad, 1969. A lot of romance books are centralized around people in their mid twenties, so it is unique to read something later in life. Not at all complaining and yes, I want to go ahead and start book three, but I am practicing restraint. You will see a review from me on it, but I have lots of others to get through. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $3.99 by clicking here. 

Books by this author: 

Down in Blood (Destroyers MC Book 1)

Destroyers Soul (Destroyers MC Book 3)

Truth as Poison (Destroyers MC 4)

Second Chance Santa (A Destroyers MC Novella)