The New Book Review

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Showing posts with label Fiction: Adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiction: Adventure. Show all posts

Saturday, July 9, 2022

Lacroix by Xavier Vidal Reviewed by Alvin M. Stenzel

Review of Lacroix by Xavier Vidal (Reviewed by Alvin M. Stenzel)

TITLE:  LACROIX

AUTHOR:  Xavier Vidal

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:  https://xaviervidalworld.com/

GENRE:  Adventure/Crime/Fiction

AGE / INTEREST LEVEL:  Adult

PAGE #:  386

PUBLISHER:  Independently Published

A LINK TO WHERE THE BOOK MAY BE PURCHASED


Lacroix by Xavier Vidal Reviewed by Alvin M. Stenzel

 REVIEW 

Not Your Ordinary Adventure Story

Reviewed by Alvin M. Stenzel originally for Amazon

For a crime/adventure story, Lacroix is an interesting twist.  Ditch the big city back alleys and car chases and enter an entirely different environment.  A castle, forests, lakes and blissful peace, but hiding terrible secrets.  A young, single mom, nearly alone on what was supposed to be a deserted castle estate?  Not how it turns out!  Terrible dangers lie around every corner.  I was fascinated enough to read it in three days.  It may seem to start out slowly, but it's only the initial ride to the top of the roller coaster.  Hang on!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

World of Ink Network Reviews Middle School Adventure


 

Title: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur
Series: Book Two in The Chronicles of the Stone
Author: Fiona Ingram
Author's Web site: http://www.fionaingram.com
Genre: Middle Grad Fantasy Adventure
ISBN 978 1622492183
Publisher: The Educational Publisher / Biblio Publishing
Reviewer's Rating: 4 Stars
Available at 

 Reviewed by Ashley Renee at World of Ink Network
The Story of Two Boys’ Journey and Their Quest to Solve an Ancient Mystery

Continuing the adventure that began in Egypt a few months prior in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair are hot on the trail of the second Stone of Power, one of seven ancient stones lost centuries ago. This stone might be embedded in the hilt of a newly discovered sword that archaeologists believe belonged to King Arthur: Excalibur.

Blurb from the book:

“The spectral figure drew his sword from its scabbard and held it aloft. It seemed to Adam that he saw every detail with strangely magnified clarity. It was the same sword from the museum, but it looked so different now. The metal gleamed with a peculiar bluish sheen. Curious characters embossed the length of the blade. At the top, just under the crossguard, was a small circle with a seven-pointed star inside it. Sparkling gems decorated the hilt and pommel, with two dragons’ heads facing inward on the crossguard. The stone between the dragons’ open mouths glowed brilliant red. Suddenly, a fiery, almost blinding light shot from the stone, dazzling him. The white horse reared on its hindquarters. The radiant beam lit up the forest as the warrior whirled the blade around his head several times.”

Review:

Just like the first book, the history is a fascinating element to the plot and I learned a lot about King Arthur and his legend. The author includes a well-organized, detailed guide with an array of information about the Dark Ages, King Arthur, and some of the symbolism of the time. "The Search for the Stone of Excalibur" is even better than the first book in the Chronicles of the Stone series. The story is fill with action and adventure, and I must say that I have always enjoyed reading anything having to do with the legend of Arthur or with Camelot itself. The author does just an amazing job and not only shares this legend but also adds in puzzles, ghostly presences and stalwart companions ready to face any and all perils that come their way.

Book extras include some historical background on King Arthur, the Dark Ages, warfare and weaponry during Arthur’s time, and details on Excalibur. A fascinating peek into the life and times of the real King Arthur, perfect for young time travelers and budding archaeologists.

Book Award Nominations & Wins:
2015 Children’s Literary Classics Award Seal of Approval and finalist
2015 Children’s Literary Classic Silver Medal (Pre-teen & Tween)
Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1622492188
B&N (Kindle) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-search-for-the-stone-of-excalibur-fiona-ingram/1120452451?ean=2940046210439

 About the Author 

Fiona Ingram (B.A., Hons. (Natal), M.A., (Wits)) was born and educated in South Africa, and has worked as a full-time journalist and editor. Her interest in ancient history, mystery, and legends, and her enjoyment of travel has resulted in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, the first in her exciting children’s adventure series—Chronicles of the Stone. Fiona is busy with Book 3 entitled The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper.

About World of Ink Network

Virginia S. Grenier is founder and partner of World of Ink Network, http://worldofinknetwork.comOffice: 435-625-1743
She is also and author and director of the St. George Book Festival http://stgeorgebookfestival.org.  
Learn molre Facebook ond  follow her on  Twitter . 



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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Arrgh! Pirates in Paperback, Hardcover and E-book!

Title: Arrgh!
Author: Stacey R. Campbell
Illustrator: M.S. Corley
Date of Release: Nov. 1, 2014)
Genre: Middle Grade / Adventure
Publisher: Green Darner Press (November 1, 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-0988478442
(282 pages)
ASIN: B00MX7ATRM
 

 
Reviewed  by Marlan Warren originally for L.A. Now and Then 
 

"Arrgh!" is a true treasure: Five not-easy lessons on the high seas. Stacey R. Campbell's Kidnapped-by-Pirates tale is greater than the sum of its title.
 
This Coming of Age Voyage takes off like a cannon blast when a runaway orphan finds himself forced onto a cargo ship by pirates posing as merchant seamen, and gathers momentum with inventive action until its gratifying conclusion.
 
Thirteen-year-old Christopher has escaped from an orphanage to search for family members. Ironically, he is nabbed off the street by two pirate thugs who pass him off to the ship's captain as a relative. Threatened with death if he does not pretend to be mute, Christopher enters a world of repressed silence—broken only during moments when he can communicate with Leo the Attack-for-Hire Mouse who comes to his assistance as a kind of life coach. The trained and certified Leo sets about teaching the timid youth Five Life Lessons.
 
Campbell deftly melds fantasy with reality; excitement with education; and classical storytelling with contemporary sensibility that honors Friendship, Family and Literacy.
 
As in "Peter Pan," there is a line between non-adult and adult perceptions and abilities. When Christopher is befriended by the Captain's twelve-year-old daughter Lucy, it turns out that she can also understand the talking animals who come their way because she is not an adult. And when the duo find themselves stranded on an island, they revel in it as a paradise where they can do whatever they want without adult interference.
 
In a world where many are illiterate, Lucy begins to crack the mystery of Christopher when she sees him reading books from her father’s library.
 
Herein lie the expected dark moments and violence of the genre. However, Christopher and Lucy achieve their victories through The Power of the Plan—hopping from plan to plan as their fates shift.
 
The biggest lesson comes to Christopher when he must stay on the island without Lucy, and subdue the pirates with only the assistance of animal helpers. He comes out of it with this newfound truth: "I was never alone."
 
Young readers will be enthralled by the vivid imagery that makes up the swashbuckling action sequences, as well as the evocative sights and smells of this time period. A Glossary of Nautical Terms opens the book. Lessons include such vintage practical gems as how to manage a galleon in a storm. M.S. Corley's beautiful vintage-style illustrations would be at home in the earliest editions of any classic pirate tale.
 
How does it end? Here's a hint: Lesson Number Five brought tears to my eyes.
 
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Learn more about the review Marlan Warren at Roadmap Girl's Book Buzz
 
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Marlon Brando's Nephew Takes on the Writing of Fiction

Title: The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality
Author: Gahan Hanmer
Author's book tour Web site link:  http://thekingdomontheedgeofreality.com/thekingdomontheedgeofrealitybooktour.htm
Genre:
Fiction, Fantasy, Action and adventure
ISBN-10: 937293645
ISBN-13: 978-1937293642
Graphics: http://thekingdomontheedgeofreality.com/images/book.png




 

The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality

Sometimes it’s funny how fast things can change, and sometimes it’s not . . .

Welcome to Albert Keane’s beautifully designed medieval kingdom nestled in a completely isolated river valley in the Canadian wilderness. Peaceful, happy, and prosperous, it takes nothing from the modern world, not so much as a single clock.

There is a castle, of course, and a monastery. There is even a pitch dark, rat-infested dungeon – because you simply have to have one if you are trying a rule a feudal kingdom!

Farmers work the land, artisans ply their trades, monks keep school and visit the sick, and nobody (well, almost nobody) misses the modern world at all.

So why has Jack Darcey – actor, wanderer, ex-competitive fencer – been tricked and seduced into paying a visit? And why hasn’t anyone told him that the only way to leave is a perilous trek across hundreds of miles of trackless wilderness without a compass or a map?

Because a tide of fear and violence is rising from the twisted ambitions of one of King Albert’s nobles, and Albert’s fortune teller believes that Jack could turn the tide – if he lives long enough . . .

Seamlessly blending medieval and modern elements, The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality serves up a heady brew of action, humor, romance and satire in a kingdom set apart in time and space where reality is the dealer’s choice.

 
The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality answers the question why the past holds the key to happiness that may be missing in our present day.  That community and connectedness is more important then we realize.  We could very easily leave the present and live in the past.
 

The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality is a modern classic that has an original story line.  The author's vivid storytelling transports you to a world of fantasy, actionl and adventure.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR'S PROCESS
 
When Gahan began writing he found the creative process, as so many artists will attest, mysterious. You make an attempt to create something, the project unfolds, and at the end you wonder, “Did I do that? How did I manage to do that? When writing Gahan drew on his previous experience as a method actor and his working knowledge as a trained stage duelist.
 
Although the novel takes the shape of a fairy tale, it is a serious book about the human predicament, and unlike so much of what is coming out nowadays, it has a philosophy and a moral point of view. The hard part for Gahan was leaving the characters, which became totally real behind. These characters were larger then life. They all had real personalities, quirks, hopes and desires, and their own opinions.
 

WHAT BOOK LOVERS ARE SAYING

"I love the twist on an old fantasy story. To have a modern-day kingdom that is ruled and ran as the original kingdoms of old is ingenious. This is a captivating fantasy story that I would recommend to all fantasy-lovers." Literary R.R.

 

EXCERPT

" I got to my feet and looked Pollux over while he stood there calmly, unconcerned with the dead men in the grass and with the violence that had erupted a short time ago. Embedded deep in the wood of my saddle, I found the second crossbow bolt. That was good—it would support my story. I was still thinking about investigations, and evidence, and criminal courts, as though I still lived in the twenty-first century. But that wasn’t true anymore. I was a knight living in the Middle Ages now. "

 ABOUT GAHAN HAMMER

Gahan Hanmer naturally gravitated toward the arts. He speaks French and Spanish and has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University. Under the guidance of his uncle actor Marlon Brando, Gahan developed his talent exclusively as a theater artist, working with many inspired teachers and directors. The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality is available at: Amazon, My Book Orders,, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and on his website.  Ask Gahan Hanmer questions by visiting his website at http://thekingdomontheedgeofreality.com/contact.htm.

_______________
SUBMITTED BY
Yvonne Wu
Authors Support Services
The YP Publishing

http://theyppublishing.com
You have your own story to tell, our mission is to help you get the message out there.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Monday, July 1, 2013

World of Ink Puts YA Adventure in Spotlight



Title of Book: Andy Smithson
Subtitle: Blast of the Dragon's Fury
Author: L.R.W. Lee
Author Website: http://www.lrwlee.com
 Twitter URL: @LRWLee
 Publisher: Createspace
ISBN: 978-1482312645
ISBN -10: 1482312646
Available in eBook and Print
Publication Date: April 2013
Genre: Middle Grade Adventure

Review provided by: World of Ink Network
 
About the Book:
 Ten-year-old Andy Smithson is magically brought to the Land of Oomaldee while he is doing dishes one night. Unbeknownst to him, he is there to break a 500-year-old curse.  Andy learns that his quest is the Dragon’s Lair to find an ingredient critical to breaking the curse - the scale from an elusive red dragon, the fiercest of all dragon species. Andy nearly destroys the castle amidst adventures battling fire-breathing dragons, fighting vicious vulture attacks, escaping people-eating giants and more.

EXCERPT:
 Sitting on his bed with the afternoon sun shining through the window, Andy tried to slow down his racing thoughts.  It was all so overwhelming.  It had been fun to think of himself as Chosen when that just meant he felt special.  Now, however, he wasn’t sure.  It sounded like a whole lot more than just retrieving a red dragon scale was about to happen.  The weight of it all pressed hard.  He was scared.  He felt alone.  For the first time since he had arrived in Oomaldee, he missed his home, his parents and (he couldn’t believe he was thinking this, but… yes…) even his big sister!  He punched his pillow hard once, and then again and again and again.  He stopped only when feathers began flying everywhere.
Why me?  he thought.  There’s no way I can do to this! 
“You’re right, Andy!  You can’t do this on your own. ” It was his inneru.  “You need help.”
As his inneru said this, a second amethyst-colored stone landed on his bed, barely missing his head.
“Hey, watch it!  You almost hit me in the head!” Andy said.  As soon as he had said it, he felt stupid for yelling at no one.  Where do these things keep coming from?  he wondered.  As before, he picked it up and it started pulsing. Then he heard a trumpet blast.
“Methuselah has appeared to you, Andrew Ferrin Smithson.  It is the sword of your forefathers.   You will become known by it.  It is time that evil is extinguished from the land.  This will be accomplished by your hand.”
“My forefathers? What do you mean?” Andy interrupted.  The message paused.
“Your ancestors are from the Land of Oomaldee.”
Really?  Andy thought.
“It is not I who gives Methuselah, but One far greater.  It is given and taken as the times require,” the message continued.  “You have been appointed to wield it for such a time as this.”
But I’ll screw this up. I know I will, just like I did when I almost tore the castle down. Whatever kind of evil this message is talking about sounds really bad.  There’s no way I can do this, even with this sword, Andy whined.
“Stop!” Andy’s inneru interrupted. 
Andy sat up, startled.
The message continued, “Take courage.  You do not yet see your own abilities because you have never been tested.  You have never demonstrated to yourself or anyone all that you can do.  Put your fears aside and trust that you can succeed in the challenges that lie ahead.”  The message completed and the sphere disappeared, once again, giving no indication who had sent it.
“This is not about you,” reminded the inneru. 
I know…  thought Andy.  It’s about all the people in the Land of Oomaldee.  It is about the King, Mermin, Alden, Marta, Hans and everyone I’ve come to love here.
“You don’t usually think about others first,” continued his inneru.
          Maybe this is my chance to change that, Andy thought.
 
BOOK TRAILER:

Overall Thoughts:
The story plot is simple and easy to follow. There are also lessons readers will learn as they venture with Andy and his friend Alden as they try to find a red dragon scale, easily said than done. The book is a traditional fantasy for middle grade readers. The subject matter is age appropriate and enjoyable. For advance readers, they may find the story a bit slow at times, but if they enjoyed Leven Thumbs then they will ultimately like this book series as well. There is a lot of information shared to help explain situations and story plot, but overall I found it a fun weekend read.
About the Author:  
Since the age of eight, L. R. W. Lee knew she wanted to write a book. Fortunately or unfortunately, she required of herself that she have something significant to say; she sought to contribute to others in a way that could change their lives. Because a degree in Accounting at Cedarville University, as well as work in public and corporate accounting, did not provide riveting fodder for a best seller, she waited. Upon selling her business in early 2012, she had time to write and, more importantly, something significant to share.

L. R. W. Lee’s favorite musical is The Sound of Music. She hates scary movies, but loves piano and strings music, sunsets in Hawaii and a good cup of decaf, French press coffee (yes, decaf!). She also loves Ansel Adams prints and all manner of kinetic art. 

~You can find out more about L.R.W. Lee, her middle grade fantasy adventure series and her World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/bnfe6ax


~To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit http://worldofinknetwork.com
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Top Review Ranks Chipset "Best Thriller of 2012"

Title:      Chipset
Author: Lior Samson
Genre:   thriller, action-adventure
ISBN:     978-0984377282
Kindle edition 978-0984377299
 
Reviewed by James A. Anderson originally for Amazon.
5 Stars
 
Lior Samson hits another one out of the park with Chipset, the fourth techno-thriller in his Homeland Connection series.

Samson, the pen name of a university professor, delivers another page-turning, multi-dimensional thriller with a solid background in computers and computer chips. Samson certainly knows his stuff and has researched his subject thoroughly, bringing the reader a better understanding of this high-tech world and how it permeates our lives much greater than we realize.

Few thriller writers can match Samson's ability to deliver a gripping story. In previous reviews, I have compared him to John le CarrƩ and Tom Clancy. He doesn't have the same name recognition or sales, but he is equal to or better than both those authors. His work deserves to be on the New York Times Best Seller list

As in his previous novels in the Homeland Connection series, Samson offers international politics and high-level espionage. The plot twists and exotic international settings in this novel make it a highly readable and entertaining thriller. There is also a powerful parallel story set in World War II that aptly explains the experience and background development of the characters.

I highly recommend this book which arguably may be the best thriller of 2012
 
 
About the Author:  
 
~~Larry Constantine, IDSA, ACM Fellow | Lior Samson, novelist
    Active (Professional) Member, SFWA
    Simon Rockower Award (2010), American Jewish Press Association
    Author of The Rosen Singularity (Gesher Press, 2011) and The Homeland Connection novels: Bashert, The Dome, Web Games (Gesher Press, 2010) and Chipset (Gesher Press, 2012)
 
About the Reviewer:
 
James A. Anderson is an Amazon Top Reviewer with a ranking of 4,407.
 
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Reviewer Calls Novel Universally Appealing

Deception Peak
By Dianne Lynn Gardner
Author's Web site: http://dragontargeseries.blogspot.com/
Genre: MG/YA adventure fantasy
ISBN: 978-0615679709

Reviewed by Daniel Cann originally for The Independent Review UK


Dianne Lynn Gardner has written a ‘rites-of-passage’ YA fantasy novel with Deception Peak. This is a ripping yarn in the tradition of all heroic quest tales. We have an unlikely (and initially) unwilling hero, a father-son relationship, and a vivid, exciting new world to explore.
 
The synopsis of this universally appealing adventure is:

“The first book of a trilogy, Deception Peak is a young adult adventure fantasy about a teenager, Ian Wilson, who follows his father through a portal that magically appears on their computer screen. They travel into a deceptively beautiful Realm, where horses run free, the wind sings prophetic melodies, and their computer avatars come to life.

But when the two are separated, Ian is abducted by a tribe of dragon worshippers and is forced to find his courage. As he struggles for his freedom and embarks on a perilous search to find his father, Ian meets the true peacekeepers of the Realm. It's then that he learns there is a greater purpose for being there.”

What I liked about this were the characters of Ian and Alex Wilson. Ian is a young lad who is a bit of a daydreamer and an aspiring artist. There is nothing particularly remarkable about him, and he therefore has an ‘everyman’ quality about him which readers of all ages will find easy in relating to.

His father, Alex, is a different proposition: recently widowed, he is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his beloved wife and the pressures of being a single parent.

Technically gifted and practical, Alex hunts, fishes and works at a foundry. He is also an adept computer game programmer and designer. He is currently obsessed with a new game he has created and is in danger of literally losing himself in this new cyber world.

The theme of fathers and sons has been explored before, but Gardner has created a believable relationship and skilfully weaves it into her plot.

The dangers of finding solace in gaming and a fantasy world are very real twenty first century concerns which are adeptly explored here. Unfortunately, for out two protagonists, this world is a little too immersive!

I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes with horse riding, exploration and adventure in a new landscape. This world’s features include: plains, prairies, woodland, wilderness, mountains, wild boar, wolves, pumas and dragons!

Whilst Alex is in his element in this new world, poor Ian is completely out of his comfort zone. The ‘fish out of water’ adverb is very apt for his situation. He would much rather be at home in the company of his school friend Abbi and enjoying his creature comforts.

Here he finds himself tested against the elements and suffering the hardships of this organic and challenging world. He goes through the mill in his quest to be reunited with his father. Ian is a long way from his native Seattle!

Gardner’s prose is very descriptive: the sights, sounds and smells of the Realm are brought vividly to life; it was easy to picture it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about a reluctant hero finding resolve and reserves of courage in testing circumstances. The value of friends and family, being able to survive in hostile surroundings, becoming self-reliant, are all excellent themes for children to learn.

It is also important to note that with a title like Deception Peak you should expect plenty of mind games, trickery, and sorcery! This one is a winner; look out for the sequel soon.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Kathleen Smith Reviews Adventure Novel

Title: Can You Hear the Music?
Author: Sandra Farris
Author's website: www.sandrafarris.com
Genre: Adventure
ISBN: 0595302688
Reviewer's rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by Kathleen Smith originally for Amazon and www.reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com

This one has captured my heart and soul! I absolutely loved it from beginning to end!,
"Listen, son, can you hear the music?"

"What music, Pa? I don't hear anything."

"Stand quiet and listen. Hear the wind singing through the trees, the birds whistling from the meadow and, if you listen really close, you can hear the brook laughing as it runs across the rocks and spills down the hill. That's the music I'm talking about...the music of life. No matter how big or important you may feel when you get older, I hope you will always take the time to stop and listen to that music."

"I don't understand. Those are just ever'day sounds you hear all the time."

"True, they are everyday sounds, but we don't always hear them because we take them for granted. It's the same with people. They are always there but we take them for granted and that is what saddens my heart, for I am as guilty as the rest." He sighed and shook his head. "Listen to the frog. His song is not as beautiful as the bird's and he is truly an ugly creature to you and me, but in his own way he contributes to that music of life. What I am really trying to say, son, is that no matter how insignificant and small a man may seem, he has that right to contribute and he is just as important."

In the novel, Can You Hear The Music by Sandra Farris, the reader is in for a delightful surprise when they begin this story in the life of Corey James, a young nine-year-old girl who finds herself left orphaned in 1919 when a tragic car accident claims the life of both her parents. Her Uncle, George and his wife Lizzie take Corey in, but soon is seems the Corey finds herself the target of abuse from Lizzie. Faced with emotional and physical abuse, Corey finds herself not wanted and it hurts her deeply. Knowing only that she doesn't like being hurt anymore, she takes her small dog Muffin and slips away into the night searching for love and acceptance in the form of anyone who can provide it.

Lucky for Corey that she has disguised herself as a young boy to avoid being found by her Aunt and Uncle, and finds the most unlikely friend in the form of a hobo named Andy Curruthers. Andy relates to Corey's situation being orphaned at the age of ten and vows to help him learn the ways of life traveling the rails and seeing the world.

I received this novel compliments of Sandra Farris for my honest review and was so enraptured by this story, I could not put it down once I started. She demonstrates the talents of a great story teller in creating the characters of Corey and Andy. You can't help but wish for them to remain together throughout the book and along the way, they both learn a thing or two about forgiveness and unconditional love. There are a host of lovable supporting characters, Gus Thatcher, Lord Mayor, Injun and even Muffin, her delightful dog who never leaves Corey side no matter how dark things get. I would love to see someone pick this one up and create a beautiful movie from it, and in my opinion this one deserves so much more than my usual 5 out of 5 stars. I would rate this one a 10!
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Vine Reviewer Loves Adventure Book


A Raucus Time: The Celtic Cousins Adventures
By Julia Highes
http://www.juliahughes.co.uk/
Fiction: Action/adventure
ISBN-10: 147756909X
ISBN-13: 978-1477569092
Five-Star Review
Available for Kindle

Reviewed by Nash Black (Amazon vine voice reviewer)

There are certain ingredients a story needs to make it better than just good. If any author can gather these ingredients and blend them seamlessly together, then they are always on to a winner.

For me, this is my first step into the world created by author Julia Hughes, a world that revolves around two teenage boys - Wren, the geeky brainbox and his cousin Rhyllann, a pilot wannabe and Wren's best friend. Add to this, Crombie, the copper and oft self-appointed social worker, the lost treasure (a treasure that includes the fabled sword of Arthurian legend - Excalibur) of King John, and a gang of villains who will stop at nothing - including murder - to retrieve said treasure and you have a story that takes all of those ingredients, lovingly mixes them together and creates a wonderful story.

Most authors would have been very happy with the fact they had created a `wonderful' story. But no. Not this author. If ever writing a novel can be compared to creating a meal, then Ms. Hughes grabbed all those correct ingredients and then, when no-one was looking, slipped in an extra, secret one that a lot of other stories lack, and created something very special. That special ingredient is - for want of a better word - love. Love of the story, love of her characters. Love of her ART. Because that's what storytelling is. It's an art and Julia Hughes is one hell of an artist!

This is a story that defies genre. It cannot be labelled as simply an adventure story, or a teen angst story, a thriller or a comedy. It is all of these and more. It made me laugh out loud; it made me turn pages (well push buttons - on kindle) at speed to see what came next. There is a section of the book that in a summer (July 2012) that has had torrential rainfall here in the UK; you will feel a particular kinship with the boys. I know I did.

The author has created believable characters that you will love from the off. Her storytelling is tight and flows seamlessly from start to finish. Her descriptive style pulls your imagination along and paints the places and people so vividly, they will stay in your mind long after you have closed the book or switched off your kindle.

The good news is that there two other stories featuring the characters you meet in `Raucous Time'. `A Ripple in Time' & `An Explosive Time'. I have just started `Ripple' and can already announce that I love it.

Make a note of the name Julia Hughes because in literary terms, it's a name I'm sure we're going to hear a lot of in the future and genuinely cannot wait!!!
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Friday, November 4, 2011

Editor Reviews Sci-Fi Adventure

Title: The Chronicles of Han, Journeys of a Psychic
Book 1 Part 1-7, Book 2 Part 8
Author: H Gibson
Web: www.chroniclesofhan.com
Blog: http://letterdash.com/chroniclesofhan
Genre: Fiction: Adventure Science Fiction


Reviewed by R. Gibson, editor of Chronicles of Han


Prepare to become addicted!

I have read 100’s of books, covering all spectrums, but never have I been this captivated. The Chronicles of Han is the story of a young peace officer that has psychic powers, who is then tasked in regaining lost knowledge of science and inter stellar travel to save a planet abused by over exploitation, and in the process expands his gifts.

The book, characters and storyline starts off undemanding and uncomplicated. As the story unfolds, the characters as well as the storyline matures, dragging the reader into the tale, causing you to feel and experience with Han. On occasion I found myself reluctantly having to put down the book so as to put a damper on my emotions, be it sadness or anger. As I progressed with the book I finally figured out why I would become so emotionally involved. It dawned on me that this book reflects a bit of each of us, causing you to identify either with a character or a situation.

As you get more involved with the tale, loads of questions pop up, just to be answered directly or by inference, causing you to think “but I knew that!”.

The down side of the book is that I now find most of my previous books dull and slow-moving.

Can’t wait for the next one.

The books are printed and distributed by the Author. The first two parts of Book 1 are available for free on www.chroniclesofhan.com in PDF and can also be ordered online in downloadable PDF, on CD or hardcopy.

 Topics: Chakra,Energy,healing,Chi,Reiki,Aura,Soul,Spirit,Medium,Teleport,Telepath,Empath,Psychic,Portal,Galactic,Worm hole,Inter-dimensional,Astral projection,Spirit guides,Angel,Angelic realm,Electrum,Parallel worlds,Cosmos,Entity,Astral travel,Akashic record,Ghost,Passed over,Other side,Heaven,Time travel,Hanuman,Past life experiences, Speculative Fiction,Alternate Alternative Realities,Spiritual, Autobiography

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Goodreads/Amazon Reviewer Likes Adventure Book

It's Always Darkestby Steve Spencer
www.PaulDMallory.com
Action-adventure/thriller (self-published)
Available for both Kindle and Nook
http://amzn.to/qRX28j
http://bit.ly/o7iCl9

Reviewed by Julia Hughes (http://amzn.to/nQpfbn), originally for Amazon
This ebook appealed to me enormously. The author writes with authority and
deftness. I identified very easily with the main character Paul Mallory,
an easy going journalist content with his lot who enjoys old films and
collects trivia just to perplex a geeky work colleague. Paul is jogging
along in life doing well enough - when the mysterious and vaguely sinister
Bentley Cramer approaches him with an offer he can't refuse.

Quote: "He was large enough and round enough to join the solar system with
no questions asked. The cigar that protruded from the right side of his
mouth would have been a full day's work for the best torcedor in Havana,
and if he was worried about the stadium being a smoke-free location, he
gave no sign of it. Gave no sign, in fact, of ever being worried about
much of anything." Throughout the book, characters are sketched so
convincingly they step from the page and go home at night to their loved
ones.

Before Paul can say wtf? he finds himself working for the irrepressible
Bentley and in Russia reporting on a handball competition. But he soon
learns there's something very funny going on. Or at least it would be
funny, if people weren't getting murdered. Before long Paul is on the
trail of a psychopathic killer who would give Fredrick Forsyth's 'Jackal'
a run for his money.

Paul Mallory's point of view is written in the first person, which creates
an immediate bond. When the action moves elsewhere it is described in 3rd
person pov which I appreciated, as some scenes are as you would expect in
a hard hitting thriller such as this, violent.

This book worked for me on all levels. I liked the characters, enjoyed the
action scenes and locations and appreciated the author's knowledge of his
craft. Parts of the book made me smile at the sly humour the author allows
his main character to display from time to time. I felt as though I'd made
a new friend in Paul Mallory and I'm certain I won't be the only one by a
long shot to become a fan.

In case you're wondering, I have a little system in place when reviewing
indie authors. I know how hard it is to get the formatting, grammar etc
correct when you're editing your own work. So any indie ebook
automatically gains points when these are correct, in this book they are
impeccable. I then add points for storyline, originality and enjoyment.
This book scores all five points. If I'm reviewing a book which is
published by a 'house,' I automatically expect some of the money I've paid
to have been spent on an editor.

~Find more reviews by Julia Hughes on Goodreads.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :