Hey Everyone!! :-)
It's the 18th again, so I'm back with more of my #IndieBooksBeSeen indie author book reviews!!! I hope you enjoy them and maybe even find something to add to your own bookshelf! :-)
Railroad by Neil Douglas Newton:
This story actually starts out as two, seemingly unrelated, stories, but as it progresses, the two tales are woven together so skillfully you almost forget that they were once separate. First, there are hints about some abductions of women and children that are taking place, but you can't quite figure out what's going on. But there's enough given that you're immediately hooked from the first page. Then there's the story of Mike Dobbs, a man who is wrestling with PTSD and the big question of what he wants out of life. And all of this is set against the dramatic backdrop of the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
Overall, I have to say I love this book!! Mr. Newton tackles hard issues like child sex abuse, dealing with and healing from trauma, and the consequences of apathy and ignorance. He does an excellent job of highlighting the inadequacies of the justice system when it comes to protecting children from abusive parents. And the suspense he builds without even seeming to try will keep you on the edge of your seat! But even though I would classify this book as a suspenseful thriller, I would also say the writing qualifies as literary in nature. Mr. Newton really explores the human condition and what it feels like when people form unexpected bonds with others. All-in-all, five stars, and I truly hope Mr. Newton writes more stories for others to enjoy! :-)
Through Life & Death by Jennifer Felton:
This was a very quick read. Since I'm not familiar with the rest of the series, it was a little hard for me to figure out what was going on at first. But once I got into the story, it was cute. Sebastian, as one might expect from a Prince of Hell, can be a bit of a jerk at times, but he's not all bad, as is evidenced by his actions at the end of the story. Overall, I enjoyed this, but I think those who have read the other books in the series would get more out of it. :-)
Haunted Hearts by Kim Cox:
Lana's great aunt, Lucy, was murdered twenty years ago and know one knows who did it...not even the victim! Unlike most murder victims, Lucy has stuck around and now she's asking Lana to solve her murder. But that will mean combing through the past and unearthing secrets that some will go to any lengths to keep buried.
With ghosts, nosy neighbors, and a bit of a comedy of errors flavor, this story is a cute combination between a cozy mystery and a paranormal adventure. I picked this book up on impulse because it was free, and I wasn't at all disappointed. It's a quick read and moves fast enough to be a page-turner. I enjoyed it and even though it's not a genre I normally enjoy, I will probably read more in the series.
Bonded by CM Johnson:
Okay, once again, this is not a book. This is a complex, involved series that requires patience to let it all unfold. The second book takes up just where the first one left off, with Kerrisha's terrible vision. Through a complicated series of events, Kerrisha and her intended, Kerreth, work together with their friends and siblings to try to protect each other and their Clan while simultaneously planning a royal wedding! And the poor kids haven't even come into their full power yet!
I really enjoyed this story, but the long narratives do require that the reader pay close attention or risk missing something important. I also still feel that this is a story that is intended for adults. It has violence, explicit sex, and adult situations that would not be suitable for younger readers. If you are easily offended or unable to tolerate darker stories, this is not the right book for you. But for those who enjoy an intricate tale of adventure and mayhem, this is a great series!
The Secret King: Lethao by Dawn Chapman:
The Aonise's sun is dying, and they must evacuate or die. But their evaluation is complicated by the Zefron, another race that seems determined to see every last Aonise dead. Their king, Kedro, is their only hope, but even his power might not be enough in the face of such enormous obstacles!
I enjoyed this book, but it was slow to grow on me. It's odd for me to have to say that the beginning was slow because it starts out in the middle of a planet-wide evacuation due to a dying sun. It was a beginning that was predictive of the whole book, with a lot of non-stop action. But it took a while for me to be able to learn enough about the characters to care about all the troubles they were overcoming. It also has a cliff-hanger ending, which is one of my biggest pet-peeves when it comes to books However, once I got to know everyone, I found it to be an enjoyable addition to the sci-fi genre and I can almost forgive the ending. :-)
This was a very quick read. Since I'm not familiar with the rest of the series, it was a little hard for me to figure out what was going on at first. But once I got into the story, it was cute. Sebastian, as one might expect from a Prince of Hell, can be a bit of a jerk at times, but he's not all bad, as is evidenced by his actions at the end of the story. Overall, I enjoyed this, but I think those who have read the other books in the series would get more out of it. :-)
Haunted Hearts by Kim Cox:
Lana's great aunt, Lucy, was murdered twenty years ago and know one knows who did it...not even the victim! Unlike most murder victims, Lucy has stuck around and now she's asking Lana to solve her murder. But that will mean combing through the past and unearthing secrets that some will go to any lengths to keep buried.
With ghosts, nosy neighbors, and a bit of a comedy of errors flavor, this story is a cute combination between a cozy mystery and a paranormal adventure. I picked this book up on impulse because it was free, and I wasn't at all disappointed. It's a quick read and moves fast enough to be a page-turner. I enjoyed it and even though it's not a genre I normally enjoy, I will probably read more in the series.
Bonded by CM Johnson:
Okay, once again, this is not a book. This is a complex, involved series that requires patience to let it all unfold. The second book takes up just where the first one left off, with Kerrisha's terrible vision. Through a complicated series of events, Kerrisha and her intended, Kerreth, work together with their friends and siblings to try to protect each other and their Clan while simultaneously planning a royal wedding! And the poor kids haven't even come into their full power yet!
I really enjoyed this story, but the long narratives do require that the reader pay close attention or risk missing something important. I also still feel that this is a story that is intended for adults. It has violence, explicit sex, and adult situations that would not be suitable for younger readers. If you are easily offended or unable to tolerate darker stories, this is not the right book for you. But for those who enjoy an intricate tale of adventure and mayhem, this is a great series!
The Secret King: Lethao by Dawn Chapman:
The Aonise's sun is dying, and they must evacuate or die. But their evaluation is complicated by the Zefron, another race that seems determined to see every last Aonise dead. Their king, Kedro, is their only hope, but even his power might not be enough in the face of such enormous obstacles!
I enjoyed this book, but it was slow to grow on me. It's odd for me to have to say that the beginning was slow because it starts out in the middle of a planet-wide evacuation due to a dying sun. It was a beginning that was predictive of the whole book, with a lot of non-stop action. But it took a while for me to be able to learn enough about the characters to care about all the troubles they were overcoming. It also has a cliff-hanger ending, which is one of my biggest pet-peeves when it comes to books However, once I got to know everyone, I found it to be an enjoyable addition to the sci-fi genre and I can almost forgive the ending. :-)
Thank you, Mistral for the review and for posting on your blog.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Best of luck! :-)
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