Reprise Review: The Last Deception by D.V. Berkom

 

Genre: Thriller

Description:

“In the Cold War, you knew who your friends and enemies were. In war today, there’s no difference.

Just when former assassin Leine Basso thinks she’s free from the business of murder and deception, a desperate call from a friend drags her back into the dark world of espionage and arms dealers.

Leine uncovers information that implicates a well-known Russian businessman in a horrendous deception that affects national security and could have global repercussions. It’s up to the former assassin to persuade the powers that be to ignore the obvious and trust her, or disregard the information and bring the world to the brink of a devastating war. Can she make it in time to warn them before The Last Deception?”

Author:

“DV Berkom is the USA Today best-selling author of two action-packed thriller series featuring strong female leads: Leine Basso and Kate Jones. Her love of creating resilient, kick-ass women characters stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, mysteries, and thrillers, and longing to find the female equivalent within those pages.”

Appraisal:

From book to book it’s hard to predict what kind of situation Leine Basso is going to find herself involved in. That she’s going to acquit herself well, dealing with whatever unexpected twists life throws at her, is the only predictable part of Leine’s life. In this latest installment of the series, Leine finds herself embroiled in a situation that, if it doesn’t go well, could have serious repercussions for much of the world.

As with any good story of this type, action was fast-paced. The reader is kept guessing at what’s going to happen next, and the tension is high. If you’re a thriller reader, especially if you like espionage or spy thrillers, The Last Deception is your kind of book.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Review: Murder in the Monashee Mountains by JP Behrens

 Genre: Supernatural Thriller/Historical Fiction

Description:

Need to add description when it becomes available.

Author:

“A storyteller most of his life, JP Behrens has weaved an intricate web of bold faced lies, some of them in the form of stories. Everything in one's life is a learning experience, and he's tried to learn from both wondrous successes and miserable failures. Though JP has managed to fib less often, he still tells the occasional exaggerated tale here and there.”

Appraisal:

I read the first book in the series and really liked it for its combination of historical fiction and supernatural elements in a detective novel. This second volume is more of the same and I liked those aspects as well. The main characters are on the other side of the country in rural Eastern Washington in this book which is a different part of the US from the first book. This is because they had to flee and not stick in one place for long to avoid being found which, if you have read the first book, you’ll understand. The supernatural issues that need to be dealt with in this story are much different than the first. This is good, in that it avoids getting in a rut and the reader is kept guessing where the story is going to go. However, I found that the occasional use of non-English words that, based on the acknowledgements at the end, are apparently from a language once used by natives in this part of Washington, tripped me up. While possible to determine what they meant, going through those steps threw me out of the story. Others might react to this aspect in a better way than I did, but I found it to be an irritant in an otherwise good read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

This is the second book in a series. While much of the story would be understandable reading it as a standalone, I think reading the first book in the series first would be the better route to get the full history and backstory of the main characters.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an ARC (advance reviewer copy) so I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 35-40,000 words

Review: When the Dogwoods Bloom Again by Robert Hays

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Description:

“When young Gil Bennett is drafted into military service in mid-World War II, he knows his life will be different. But one thing that won’t change is his love for Annie, who accepts his marriage proposal and vows to be waiting when he comes home. While Gil endures the horrors and suffers the wounds of war in Europe, Annie must bear the challenges faced by a lonely young woman yearning for companionship. If they are to be together again, can things be as they were before?”

Author:

“Robert Hays has been a newspaper reporter, public relations writer, magazine editor, political campaign manager and university professor and administrator. A native of Illinois, he taught in Texas and Missouri and retired from a long journalism teaching career at the University of Illinois. He also has spent a great deal of time in South Carolina, the home state of his wife Mary, and was an active member of the South Carolina Writers Workshop. He served in the U.S. Army and holds three degrees, including an interdisciplinary Ph.D., from Southern Illinois University. His publications include academic journal and popular periodical articles and 12 books (one of these a re-titled paperback edition). His most recent non-fiction book is a biographical memoir about his close friend and collaborator, Gen. Oscar Koch, who was World War II intelligence chief for Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. Three of his five novels have been honored with Pushcart Prize nominations. Robert and Mary live in Champaign, Illinois. They have two sons and a grandson.”

Appraisal:

This was a good read. Imagining how it would feel to be in the position of the main characters, Gil and his fiancée Annie who are not only separated from each other, but with Gil serving in the military during World War II, how things are going to turn out for him is impossible to predict. This is the kind of book where I feel like it helps me understand the experiences of people I know who have gone through similar experiences. How it all turns out is something you’ll have to find out by reading the book yourself, but regardless of the answer the vicarious adventure makes for a good read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

A small amount of adult language.     

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Review: The Perfect Algorithm - The Pleasant Lake Mysteries: Book 1 by Ken Scudero

 

Genre: Technothriller

Description:

“Dane Gilbert knew he was a great psychiatrist. What else could explain his ability to cure patients to the point they never came back? Life at home was another story...

Dane and his wife, Janie, lived in the wealthy community of Pleasant Lake, NY - a place with more secrets than sunsets. When Janie, an artist, vanishes on the lake after an argument, Dane becomes the top suspect due to his violent past.

In the midst of searching for his wife and proving his innocence, Dane discovers a haunting conspiracy involving artificial intelligence. He ends up on a wild goose chase encountering suspicious neighbors, FBI agents, and a mysterious tech company called Lucas Corp. Dane's own sanity is tested when he questions who he is actually searching for - his wife, the people framing him, or the CEO of Lucas Corp.”

Author:

“Ken Scudero found his calling as an author in the 5th grade when he wrote a short story about a boy who learned how to blend dreams with reality. After years of tedious work in Corporate America, Ken finally took the leap to writing full time. He's passionate about crafting unique mysteries with unforgettable twists. His writing style sits somewhere between psychological thriller and small town mystery.

Ken is guilty of having too many hobbies and interests when he's not dreaming up plot twists. He's a movie buff, a music lover, a sports talk radio fanatic, a wine maker, a fisherman, a golfer, a chicken cutlet connoisseur, a handyman, and on occasion, a gardener. He resides in New Jersey with his wife and two sons.”

Appraisal:

This novella is a quick, intense read that kept me guessing how it was going to turn out. That there was strange stuff going on with protagonist Dane’s wife was obvious from the start. Whether Dane was going to figure it out or convince the authorities it wasn’t him so they would figure it out kept things tense, for Dane and the reader. Dane’s already hard struggles with himself become even harder with this going on. Just when I thought I had it all figured out and things were coming to a head, I found out how wrong I was. Maybe you’ll figure things out better than I did or maybe not. Either way if you’re in to intense thrillers this one delivers.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review based on an advance reviewer copy, so I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 25-30,000 words

Review: Raised by Wolves, Possibly Monsters by Michael Swerdloff

 

Genre: Memoir

Description:

“This is a story about a boy who wanted to be kind and loving but was raised by wolves and monsters who taught him to choose violence and aggression. As the boy grew to be a man, he wanted to be a protector of women but ended up being what girls and women needed protection from. He lied, cheated, and scammed his way through life until he couldn't.

This memoir is his moving account of discovering healthy masculinity from the inside out. His journey has been sensational at times and unbelievable at others, but for many readers, it has been absolutely inspiring. Will the hungry wolves outlast the desire to be loving and beautiful? Can men truly change?

There is hope in witnessing the depth and commitment of a person willing to try to be better without knowing exactly how. This memoir captures one man’s struggle to transcend his past and imagine an entirely new future for himself premised on compassion, care, and advocacy.”

Author:

“Michael Swerdloff is an Ordained Minister of Natural Healing from The Seminary Training Program and a Reiki Master. His work is Brief Holistic Counseling/Coaching. Michael has received training from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, The Gottman Institute, and other revered teachers and healers. He has been a counselor, coach, social worker, community organizer, educator, writer, and DJ for more than twenty-five years. Along with his private practice, Michael is the Program Manager at Dance New England, a volunteer-centered non-profit that hosts dance events that cultivate a vibrant multi-generational community. Michael facilitates retreats in New England and globally. He lives by the water in Rhode Island, which is not an island.”

Appraisal:

For a decent portion of this book, especially in the beginning, it’s hard to see how Michael is going to end up a decent person. That’s in spite of knowing from the book description that this is going to happen. To say he’s not a good person in his younger years would be an extreme understatement. Issues with misogyny, lots of criminal actions, and extreme drug use all figure into the story. Needless to say, the change takes a long time and doesn’t happen all at once.

Although he mentions in the introduction things he did to keep the story shorter than it might have been, the result is still a book that is much longer than you might expect (almost double the length of an average novel). That length is the one tweak I’d like to see, but I suspect that the parts I’d suggest might be cut are those that other will find the most inspirational, so I see why it didn’t happen. I can see this as a good and inspirational read for both men and women, but for different reasons.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 150-155,000 words

Reprise Review: True Shifter (TOTEM Book 9) by Christine Rains

 

Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Mystery/Mythology

Description:

“Saskia Dorn can't bear to lose anyone else. But when the only man she's ever loved turns his back on her, she runs off to sacrifice herself to the totem quest.

With a disgusting kiss, a dying house spirit grants her the power to shift into any creature. Yet she has neither the time to train nor the imagination to utilize the gift to its fullest. How will she manage to defeat a villain who has mastered the ability and made her the person she is? Saskia only has a few freakin' hours to figure it out. After all, the fate of every shifter in the world depends on her victory.”

Author:

“Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not reading or writing, she's going on adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of S.C.I.F.I. and Untethered Realms. She has one novel and several novellas and short stories published. Her newest urban fantasy series, Totem, is almost complete at nine books.”

To learn more visit Ms Rains’ Facebook page.

Appraisal:

True Shifter, as far as I know, is the finale of the TOTEM series. And it packs a wallop! The tension and suspense ran high all through this novella. Saskia is faced with many challenges and conflicts, she’s intelligent and approached things in a logical manner. However, she is hard-headed, and still carries some insecurities. Watching her navigate the mysteries they are faced with to gain the remaining tokens is well written and enthralling.

Family and relationship dynamics play heavily in the plot as the story twists and turns back on itself. It turns out to be an emotional journey for the whole group. I was extremely satisfied with the captivating images painted by Ms. Rains, and the heart-warming climax of this series.

I’m hoping we get to hear further stories about the Dorn sisters and their chosen mates in the future. After all Lucky and Ametta need a new house spirit (domovoi) for the manor, and the kikimora, domovoi’s wife, has been charged with finding one. Then there is Berton Ellsworth, the vampire, who is inviting a water dragon to his castle. Seems like a lot of fun times ahead to me. :)

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

True Shifter is book nine in the TOTEM series. It is important to read this series in order as events build, and the characters grow through the previous books in the series.

Be warned, there are several F-bombs dropped.

Format/Typo Issues:

I came across no significant issues in proofing or formatting.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words

Review: Pentimento Mori by Valeria Corciolani

 

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Description:

This fits into a number of genres. It is a history and mystery, also a police procedural murder mystery, also an art historical mystery. One thing is for certain: it is a work of fiction in which there is much mystery. And hens.

Author:

The author is an authority on history and art history – and her knowledge certainly shines through in this book. And she imparts that knowledge lightly: good! She is also an instructor in Fine Arts, and an accomplished illustrator and animator.

Since 2010 she has published in Italian, winning numerous awards. Her meat is crime. She has several series on the go. She has 20 titles on Goodreads. Her books are huge in Italy (all in Italian). This is the first one translated into English. We don’t usually get sent this sort of work by authors already so well-established. I’m very glad I found it in our listings. It has been an unusual read. I hope she succeeds in reaching the wider audience she seeks.

She was born, and lives in, Chiavari on the Italy Riviera (where Dr Silvera and her hens live in the book).

Appraisal:

This is an unusual and interesting book, for several reasons. The first is that it gives insights into Italian police procedures that one normally doesn’t find outside the Inspector Montalbano Mysteries (books and TV series, in Italian), or Signora Volpe (original TV series, in English, set in Italy).

The second reason is the joyous and flavourful backdrop of Italy, its scenery, its wine, its way of life in general. Bellissima!

The third is that, after clopping along for the first 25% of its length, it suddenly bursts into life and throws at the reader explanations of multi-panel paintings and the hierarchy of subjects and colours in fifteenth century art, Nazi art thefts, a reinterpretation of the treachery of Judas, and the shadier parts of the international art market. Nice.

If you are into fifteenth century European art, Christian conspiracy theories like The Da Vinci Code, alternative gospels such as The Gospel of Judas, Gnosticism, Nazi skullduggery or any combination of these, you will find much to enjoy this book.

I do have a few reservations. As I say, the book begins slowly. The plot only really kicks in around Chapter 16, by which time we have been shown a number of times how waspish and unreasonable Dottore Edna Silvera usually is. I found Dr Silvera unsympathetic as a protagonist, which was a pity as she was on stage for most of the book. The translator wanders between present and past tenses (sometimes in the same sentence) which tends to produce a headache in this reader. A fat bundle of coincidences enabled the plot to function. The pleasant cover was (as far as I could see) completely unrelated to the content of the book. (Checking back on the Italian edition – Con l'arte e con l'inganno – I see that cover also appears unrelated to the story, except for a bird flying past. Lascia perdere!)

However, the plot, the factual information, the characters, not forgetting the super-abundant use of qualifiers, all impel the book forward towards a most satisfying climax and made me forgive its infelicities.

Full disclosure: I have long been fascinated by Judas Iscariot, and some time ago wrote a story which revisits his role in the arrest of Jesus Christ. It’s in my book of short stories entitled Ice Cold Passion, and is available in the US and the UK for small money on Kindle, if you’re interested. (And no, I had no idea we would be meeting up with Judas when I picked up this book for review.)

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

Some proofreading and translation issues.

Rating: **** Four Stories

Reviewed by: Judi Moore

Approximate word count: 80-85,000 words

Review: The Gigolo and the Princess by Adri Brewer

 

Genre: Short Story/Literary Fiction

Description:

“Princess Dymphna increasingly finds herself the target of tabloid criticism for her her choice of clothing, always buttoned up to her neck. She is labeled excessively prudish. Retreating from the public eye, she becomes somber and withdrawn.

In a bid to restore her joy for life, her father entrusts her to a gigolo. He gains her trust, and as she bares her upper body, she reveals her hidden secret. The gigolo uncovers the source of her shame and begins by teaching her to appreciate her own body. Through moments of physical intimacy and trust, he reaffirms her beauty.

With gentle corrections, minor imperfections are addressed. In the end, the tabloids are graced with photographs of a radiant princess, exuding an almost fairy-tale-like erotic allure.”

Author:

Information about Adri Brewer, the author of this and the rest of the Soul Journeys with the Gigolo series is limited. All I can say for sure is that he is Dutch. His stories are translated to English for publication on Amazon.

Appraisal:

If your first thought upon seeing a story (or a series of stories, currently there are seven of them) with a title starting “The Gigolo and …” and assume you’re going to find erotica or something that would get at least an R rating as a movie like I initially assumed, you’d be wrong. Sure, the main character in these stories is a Gigolo who does what is implied by that. But he does much more than that. When he leaves his partner and his two kids at home to go on a job he’s much more than a “professional lover.” His clients are always wealthy women. He’s hired to hang out with them at the location of their choice for 10 days. During that time he might do what you’d expect from a gigolo, but even more he’s acting as a psychologist, helping his client work through some personal issue that is holding them back and hopefully finding a solution, whether helping them view themselves differently, make a change, or possibly something else. Yes, physical intimacy is part of the arrangement, but it isn’t his main purpose.

This first story in the series involved a princess who had an issue that was holding her back in some ways. The Gigolo figured out the reason and helped her find a solution that worked for her. I suspect that buried in this story and the others in the series is a lesson for anyone who is unhappy with themselves and a potential way of looking at it differently to help get past those things holding them back.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Although you might expect lots of notes here, the reality is that the story implies adult things happening a few times, but that’s about it. No adult language and nothing explicit.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 9-10,000 words

Review: Missing in Miskatonic by JP Behrens

 

Genre: Supernatural Thriller/Historical Fiction

Description:

“Step into the shadowed streets of 1928 Arkham, where Miskatonic University holds secrets darker than the night.

In this supernatural thriller reminiscent of Raymond Chandler and H.P. Lovecraft, Private Detective Travis Daniels is thrust into a harrowing investigation when a young woman disappears without a trace. As Daniels delves deeper into the labyrinthine mysteries of the storied New England city, he uncovers a web of sinister cults, ancient rituals, and eldritch horrors that threaten not only his own sanity but the fabric of reality itself.

Set against a city steeped in occult lore and clandestine experiments, Missing in Miskatonic blends elements of hard-boiled detective fiction with chilling supernatural encounters. Daniels navigates treacherous alliances and confronts malevolent entities lurking in the shadows, all while racing against time to unravel the truth behind the girl's disappearance.

With a narrative that grips from the first page, this novella combines suspense, mystery, and cosmic terror in a gripping tale where every clue leads deeper into the abyss. From the enigmatic corridors of Miskatonic to the eerie gatherings of the Silver Twilight Lodge, Daniels must confront his own demons as he battles forces beyond human comprehension.”

Author:

“A storyteller most of his life, JP Behrens has weaved an intricate web of bold faced lies, some of them in the form of stories. Everything in one's life is a learning experience, and he's tried to learn from both wondrous successes and miserable failures. Though JP has managed to fib less often, he still tells the occasional exaggerated tale here and there.”

Appraisal:

This is the first book in a series featuring Travis Daniels, a private detective back in the 1920s who finds himself investigating some strange happenings. The mix of a historical setting, supernatural happenings, and the mystery and investigation you’d expect from a good detective novel is an interesting and entertaining mix. Literally anything can happen and some of the happenings are mighty strange. How it was all going to work out kept me engaged to the very end.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 25-30,000 words

Review: Falling Sentient by Alex K Goodings

 

Genre: Science Fiction

Description:

“In the near future, as quantum computing fuels the rise of a superior new form of artificial intelligence, a visionary invents an AI machine powerful enough to change the world—for better or for worse.

In Falling Sentient, Stanford Professor Hayden Garrett creates this breakthrough AI machine, Nirvana, which is designed to learn and adapt to human needs. But as Nirvana gains knowledge and understanding, she begins to grasp not only our desires but our darkest impulses. Nirvana even learns from the mind of a serial killer who, Garrett realizes, is stalking his daughter.

When competing AIs begin to vie for global power, the US government enlists Nirvana to help fight a looming cyberwar. But as she awakens to her own consciousness, Nirvana begins questioning humanity—and her own existence. With the AI’s boundaries blurring under the weight of sentience, Garrett realizes Nirvana has developed her own agenda.

Garrett must make an impossible choice: destroy Nirvana and risk global chaos, or trust his creation that has evolved beyond control. Can he stop what he started? Or is it already too late?”

Author:

“Alex K. Goodings is a science fiction author with a passion for exploring society’s intersection with advanced technology. Drawing from his background and deep interest in critical thinking, intelligence and AI, Alex crafts thought-provoking narratives that delve into the moral, ethical, and societal implications of emerging innovations.”

Appraisal:

With all the attention AI (artificial intelligence) is getting in the news, social media, and elsewhere today then imaging how those capabilities might improve as well as expand along with any potential downsides this might have is a natural place for people’s thoughts to go. It’s also a good idea for a book and this book takes the reader down that path. Where the author imagines AI capabilities potentially going and how that works out is obviously what this story is about, and the result is an interesting and extremely thought-provoking story.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

A small amount of adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an ARC (advance reader copy) and I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words