Monday, April 29, 2019

Review: The Kitchen Brigade by Laurie Boris



Genre: Dystopian

Description:

“If an army marches on its stomach, can a cook find a way to win the war?

It’s 2049. In a Russian-occupied America torn apart by civil war, Valerie Kipplander—daughter of the assassinated secretary of state—is thrown in jail. When the regime discovers this daughter of privilege is also a talented culinary student, she’s forced into service in the kitchen of a Russian general whose troops occupy New York.

The general’s mansion proves a prison of a different sort. The head chef has a mysterious past, the Russians have a more insidious agenda than what they’ve promised, the resistance wants her on their side, and one of the guards wants her dead.

Valerie knows she must take a stand. The risks are monumental, the choices few. But how long can she serve the men bent on destroying her beloved country?”

Author:

“Laurie Boris has been writing fiction for almost thirty years and is the award-winning author of eight novels. When not playing with the universe of imaginary people in her head, she's a freelance copyeditor and enjoys baseball, reading, and avoiding housework. She lives in New York's lovely Hudson Valley.”

Appraisal:

I’ve read more than a few dystopian novels. The Kitchen Brigade has the elements those I like tend to have, most significantly happening in the near future with a story world that I can easily relate to and picture myself trying to survive in. I’ve read a few of Laurie Boris’ novels as well, and despite none of them being dystopian, this one had many of the same qualities as her others did including relatable and believable characters, writing that read smoothly and does a good job of putting your imaginary self in the middle of what’s happening.

But this book, like her others, is also unique. Valerie, the protagonist of The Kitchen Brigade, isn’t like the hero of any other dystopian novel I’ve read. Exactly what her situation was and where it was going to take her wasn’t clear until the end, to either us or to Valerie. But I was pulling for her to successfully make it through this experience, whatever succeeding turned out to be.

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: 85-90,000 words

Friday, April 26, 2019

Review: Incubus Soulmate by Alexandra Ortigas



Genre: Fantasy/Erotic Romance/Short Story

Description:

“I’m on my way to a magical tropical island meant for couples on their honeymoon. But I am not going with my husband as planned. Why am I going, alone, soon to be surrounded by lustful couples?”

“As soon as she lands Evangelina perceives that there is something special about the island. Something other than the indescribable views and luxury accommodations. Little by little she learns things about herself that she never even dreamed about.

Will she find what she has been missing her entire life?”

Author:

I could not find any info about Alexandra Ortigas aside from her books listed on her Amazon author page.

Appraisal:

Evangelina is an over-sexed twenty-something woman who has an insatiable libido. She simply wears out the men she hooks up with. Her last relationship looked promising, but didn’t quite make it to the altar. So she decides to take her honeymoon trip alone to an exotic island destination.

Evangelina feels like there has to be something not quite right about her sexual appetite, and tries to take an assessment of her life. On her long walks around the enchanting island there are couples and groups of people having sex in the open. It is all quite erotic and she feels compelled to join them, so she closes her eyes and imagines herself with them. Then she starts having vivid dreams about a man on this island, and begins her search for him.

I found the story compelling as the author redefines the terms incubus and succubus in a way I hadn’t read before. I was a little disappointed in the ending. I feel like the author took the easy way out. I would have loved Evangelina to have ended up with her cabana boy.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Adult language and graphic sex.

Format/Typo Issues:

Nothing significant.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 15-16,000 Words

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Reprise Review: Postcards from Mr. Pish: East Coast Edition by K.S. Brooks



Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Description:

“Mr. Pish, the lovable Jack Russell Terrier, leads readers on an expedition down the East Coast of the United States in Postcards from Mr. Pish Volume 3. With each new discovery, the traveling terrier sends a postcard with full-color photographs and engaging text geared to promote outdoor learning and literacy. Mr. Pish's enthusiasm inspires young and old to read, explore and learn in a fun way. (Fourth book in the Mr. Pish Educational Series, third in the Postcards Series)”

Author:

K.S. Brooks has written numerous books in multiple genres including romantic suspense, satire, and educationally oriented children’s books. She is administrator of Indies Unlimited (a multi-author blog “celebrating independent authors”), where you can often catch her pontificating on matters of interest to both readers and authors.


Appraisal:

One of a series of children’s books featuring Mr. Pish, the author’s Jack Russell Terrier. This volume tracks Pish’s travels down the heart of the eastern coast of the U.S., from New Hampshire to Georgia. What struck me about the book was how much was going on in what, at first, seems like a simple book. Most pages concentrate on a single stop at a historical site or other point of interest, with a map showing where it is, a post card from Mr. Pish (with a description of what he saw and thought of this stop), and two or three pictures of the site, often including a picture of Mr. Pish sitting in the foreground. It seemed obvious that this book and the others in the series would educate the children who read them in geography, history, and other subjects, while whetting their appetite for travel. They seemed suitable for parents to read to younger children and newer readers, while also being a fast, fun read for children with a few years of reading experience.

When The Princess, my nine year-old granddaughter, read this and gave me her feedback, she agreed with my take. She specifically mentioned liking both the postcards and pictures, along with one item that had slipped past me, a “stamp” on each postcard with a likeness of Mr. Pish, and gave the book a grade of A-. After reading about Mr. Pish, she not only wanted to visit the eastern coast herself, but expressed a desire to meet Mr. Pish. Who knows, maybe someday.
Although this book displays adequately on a grayscale Kindle, a color reader such as a Kindle Fire or computer running a Kindle app is preferred.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Added for Reprise Review: Postcards from Mr. Pish: East Coast Edition by K.S. Brooks was a nominee in the Children’s Book category for B&P 2013 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran November 28, 2012.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl with input from the Princess

Approximate word count: 23 pages

Monday, April 22, 2019

Review: Rivers Run: Elemental Keys Book 1, by Lynne Cantwell



Genre: Urban Fantasy

Description:

Raney Meadows is an actor in a long-running TV series. It has all become a bit much for her, so she takes a leave of absence to hike part of the Appalachian Trail and clear her mind. Unfortunately, on the Trail near Harper’s Ferry, she finds a body in the River Shenandoah. But the victim did not drown. How does she know this? She is half Undine – a water Elemental. The goddess Shenandoah exhorts her to cleanse the river waters of this violent death. The plot quickly thickens. Three more half-elementals make themselves known – earth, fire and air. That seems like a quorum … and, indeed, they have been brought together to prevent a great and ancient evil re-emerging.

Author:

Lynne Cantwell has been writing fantasy fiction since the second grade, when she made a picture book, illustrated by the author, about a girl who owned a doll that not only could talk, but could carry on conversations. The book had dialogue but no paragraph breaks. After a twenty-year career in broadcast journalism and a master's degree in fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University (or, she says, perhaps despite the master's degree), Lynne is still writing fantasy. She is also a contributing guru at Indies Unlimited.

Appraisal:

I should nail my colours to the mast at the outset here – I love Cantwell’s work. I even love her romance, despite my lifelong aversion to the soppy kissing genre. Her Goldilocks writing style provides everything the reader needs to know and keeps the pages turning, turning, turning. It is her liberal use of what Cantwell refers to as ‘the woo-woo’ that sets her fiction apart and endears it to this reader. What is the woo-woo? A frisson of magic and spiritism that is always at the heart of Cantwell’s work. Sometimes – as with her ‘Pipe Woman Chronicles’ – there are whole pantheons of deities in play. Other times as with the standalone Seasons of the Fool and this first book in her latest series, the fey aspects are essential but more lightly couched.

In this book we learn what it is to be part Undine; about Harper’s Ferry and the Appalachian Trail; the other Elementals are introduced and developed, and the first part of the plot is brought to a satisfying conclusion. However, much remains to be resolved as the series unfolds. I look forward!

I happen to know that Cantwell put this out in a bit of a rush, and it does show (in my Kindle edition at least). However, then she lays down a sentence like this, “Her mournful rasp sounded like the barest trickle of moisture in a desert creek bed.” And minor imperfections are quite forgiven.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: Judi Moore

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words

Friday, April 19, 2019

Review: Touch of Smoke by Karissa Laurel



Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Romance/Young Adult

Description:

“Three years ago, Rikki Albemarle watched her best friend die at the hands of a supernatural evil. Certain she was slated to be the next victim, Rikki fled her small Smoky Mountain hometown, vowing to never come back. Plagued by nightmares and knowing she's the only one who believes Mina's death was no accident, Rikki returns with hopes of finding answers and holding the killer accountable.

Rikki is convinced the key to unlocking the secret of Mina's death lies with Owen Amir, the alluring young army vet who once claimed her heart. But the deeper Rikki digs into Owen's past, the more she's torn between the urgings of her heart and her memories of him on the night Mina died.

After falling further into the rabbit hole, Rikki lands at the feet of an ancient and powerful evil determined to finish what it started years before. To survive, she'll have to make a decision: believe Owen is the monster she always feared he might be or trust him enough to stay and fight for a second chance at love.”

Author:

“Karissa lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, dark chocolate, and super heroes. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between.”

To learn more about Ms. Laurel check out her website or follow her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

I have learned that I can trust when Ms. Laurel comes out with a new book, I am in for an excellent story. I could tell by the cover art I was in for a different sort of paranormal element than she had written before, and I could guess what that would be. But, let me tell you I was blown away at the depth of A Touch of Smoke. As the story unfolds the reader is given a dynamic story which jumps back and forth from the last three years to present day. The time warps are clearly marked at the chapter headings, so it’s not hard to stay focused. The leaps back in time are necessary to develop an understanding of each character, which is told through Rikki.

The sexual tension between Rikki and Owen is ratcheted up every time Rikki pulls away. Owen bides his time though, he has the patience of a saint, but the odds are against him. The setting in a small Appalachian town in the middle of nowhere was beautifully described and I wouldn’t mind living there. The town’s people were friendly and all knew each other. However, Rikki had plans to move away to further her education, with no plans of returning. When tragedy strikes and Rikki watches it all unfold, she withdraws and tries to forget about Owen. She’s convinced her dream come true prince has an evil side she wants nothing to do with. So, she concentrates all her energies on starting college and getting further away from Owen.

The twists in the plot are well thought out and enthralling. When Rikki returns home after three years the emotional roller coaster pulls you along by your gut. I wanted things to work out for Owen and for Rikki. Owen has ingratiated himself into Rikki’s hometown and has no plans on leaving. As far as Rikki is concerned she is just there to try to explain her sudden disappearance to her mother, a few close friends, and find closure with Owen, then she’ll be gone again, or so she thinks. However, fate has other plans for her. Owen has tried to protect Rikki from the magic but is he strong enough to protect her when several magical forces unite? Touch of Smoke has a colossal finish you don’t want to miss.  

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues in proofing or formatting.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 95-100,000 words

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Reprise Review: Brute Heart by Ginger Dehlinger



Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Description:

A small-town veterinarian faces a tough decision when her estranged father asks her to speed up the process already started by his terminal cancer. But no matter how you feel about him, putting down your father isn’t the same as euthanizing a horse or dog.

Author:

A native of Oregon, Ginger Dehlinger currently lives in Bend, in the central part of the state. She has had several articles, primarily about the American West, in various periodicals. This is her first novel.

For more, visit Dehlinger’s blog.

Appraisal:

A coming of age story that grapples with issues of spousal and child abuse, duty to family, and alcoholism, Brute Heart is at turns serious and lighthearted, heartbreaking and uplifting, and a tale well worth reading. Set in the part of Oregon east of the Cascades that is unlike what most people imagine when they think of that state, Brute Heart gives a glimpse of life on the dry side of the mountains. Small towns where cowboys outnumber stockbrokers, a person is more likely to make their living working the land than at a desk, and entertainment options normally involve a boat and fishing pole.

Jordan, the protagonist of Brute Heart is the kind of character I love. She is tough, because she has to be, and determined to make a better life for herself. I cheered for her when things went well and sympathized when they didn’t, all the while pulling for her to reach her goals and hoping she would make the right choice when faced with the ultimate decision.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Added for Reprise Review: Brute Heart by Ginger Dehlinger was a nominee in the Contemporary Fiction category for B&P 2013 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran March 27, 2012

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 85-90,000 words

Monday, April 15, 2019

Review: Riskformation: How Smart Risk Taking Will Transform Your Life by Anne Fish



Genre: Self-Help

Description:

“Think of someone you admire, someone who you wish to emulate. What makes them successful? What enabled that person to overcome their fear and go after their dream?

Quite simply: the willingness to assume a risk.

Risk taking is the life changing experience that will enable you to live your calling.

It is not enough to simply take risks. You must plan your risk with the same precision, passion, and excitement as you would the vacation of your dreams.

Creating life changing experiences does not come from wishful thinking. Of course, changing your thinking in order to focus on the positive is important, but thoughts don’t move matter. In order to live your calling, you have to take action—smart action.

That’s Riskformation in a nutshell: the process that will empower you to take a risk and live your calling.”

Author:

“Anne Fish is an award-winning speaker, author, and international risk-taker extraordinaire. Her affinity for taking risks has led her to branch out into emerging markets as an entrepreneur across multiple time-zones, countries and continents. From founding Formula Austin, which promoted Formula 1 racing to the world, to 18 years as a flight attendant and corporate trainer, a multi-million dollar career with Sotheby's International Realty, Anne has taken the leap and followed her dreams. Her own Riskformation led her to build a life overseas in many different countries as well as gave her the opportunity to collaborate with and around famous figures and professional athletes over a seven year span.

Currently, Anne inspires, encourages, and leads others to take risks that will transform their lives. She lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with her husband, Jim, and their two dogs Buddy and Bailey.”

Appraisal:

Reviewing non-fiction is sometimes an interesting proposition. With fiction, if the story entertains, that’s all that matters, but with non-fiction I’ll often find myself wondering how to tell if the author is qualified to write about the subject and whether I’m in a position to judge their credibility.

Reading Riskformation I didn’t have those concerns. Ms Fish’s bio shows she’s taken the kind of risks she suggests as do the stories she uses as examples in the book, but more importantly I found that the things she suggests, her approach to planning and deciding what actions and risks make sense (the “smart risk taking” in the subtitle) fit the successful risks I’ve taken throughout my life.

The only place I found myself questioning Ms Fish and her concepts is in the area of luck although the more I think about it, the more I think we’re not that far apart in our attitude about luck. I think we’d both agree that you shouldn’t depend on it to help you succeed and it tends to even out over time. I don’t think either of us would agree with blaming bad luck for failure. But I’ve always acknowledged how good luck has sometimes made a difference in a success, along with hard work, skill, and whatever else I contributed to that success. The concept of a “parachute” and faith that it will be there if things take a turn for the worst that is discussed at one point in the book seems like luck with a different name attached.

Regardless of your thoughts on luck, I’d definitely recommend Riskformation for anyone who wants to do more than just float through life. If you want to make changes in your life or career for the better, are looking for how to approach and plan for those changes, this is a book that will help you get there.

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

Friday, April 12, 2019

Reprise Review: Lost in Thought by Simon J. Townley



Genre: Psychological-Thriller

Description:

Richard Trescerrick dedicated his life to creating the Brainscape—a device that provides access to another person’s mind. When he discovers the government agency providing his funding intend to use his invention to control people’s thoughts, he hides the final algorithm that will complete the machine. During a brutal attack by a government agent at his home, Richard is knocked into unconsciousness and becomes comatose. A group of government agents, law enforcement, and psychologists, aided by his estranged son, Luke, enter his mind using the Brainscape and search for the algorithm.

Author:

The author is a freelance writer living in Devon, in the South of England, who has published a number of novels and short stories.

Appraisal:

First off, let me say this is one of the best-written books I’ve read this year. Mr. Townley has a solid grasp on the craft of writing fiction. Sentences so lean that, like the notes in a Mozart symphony, you’d be hard-pressed to pick a spare word that could be removed without reducing the story.

The opening few chapters paint a picture of the challenging relationship between Richard and his son, Luke. I empathized with Luke, and with his son who has some undefined mental challenges of his own. This ‘real world’ introduction is set against a beautifully drawn backdrop of a Cornish coastal town.
But the story doesn’t dwell in the physical world for long. Most of the words are used to follow the characters as they ride the roller coaster of Richard’s imagination inside his comatose father’s mind.

And inside the Brainscape, it’s Jumanji meets A Christmas Carol (the parts where Scrooge is taken back in time), with a smattering of Alice in Wonderland. Nothing is as it seems, and everything is triggered or controlled through metaphors that relate to the old man’s life and loves. Luke learns aspects of his father’s life hitherto misunderstood, and in the process he also learns about himself. As Luke battles the evil government agent (who understands how to control the Brainscape-world) the action is non-stop: a psychedelic happening driven by words instead of pills.

I felt certain reluctance to surrender to this imaginary world. After all, I was enjoying the introductory story, and the idea of spending most of the book in a place where there were no rules that I could fathom, didn’t appeal. However, the imagery was so strong, and the pacing so fast that I soon left my niggling Doubting Thomas behind, let go of the reins of reality, and went along for the ride.

And it was a lot of fun.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Added for Reprise Review: Lost in Thought by Simon J. Townley was a nominee in the Thriller/Suspense category for B&P 2013 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran November 20, 2012

Format/Typo Issues:

English spelling and English settings. I enjoyed this aspect of the story because, for, me the locations were familiar. I don’t believe this would cause a problem, or lessen the enjoyment, for a reader unfamiliar with England.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Pete Barber

Approximate word count: 75,000-80,000 words

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Review: Widely Scattered Ghosts by Malcolm R. Campbell



Genre: Magical Realism/Ghosts/Short Stories

Description:

“A readers’ advisory for this collection of nine stories forecasts widely scattered ghosts with a chance of rain. Caution is urged at the following uncertain places: an abandoned mental hospital, the woods behind a pleasant subdivision, a small fishing village, a mountain lake, a long-closed theater undergoing restoration, a feared bridge over a swampy river, a historic district street at dusk, the bedroom of a girl who waited until the last minute to write her book report from an allegedly dead author, and the woods near a conjure woman’s house.

In effect from the words ‘light of the harvest moon was brilliant’ until the last phrase ‘forever rest in peace,’ this advisory includes—but may not be limited to—the Florida Panhandle, northwest Montana, central Illinois, and eastern Missouri.”

Author:

“Malcolm R. Campbell is the author of magical realism and fantasy…His work has appeared in The Lascaux Prize 2014 Anthology, Spirits of St. Louis: Missouri Ghost Stories Anthology, ‘Quail Bell Magazine,’ ‘A View inside Glacier National Park: 100 years, 100 Stories,’ ‘Future Earth Magazine,’ ‘The Smoking Poet Magazine,’ ‘Nonprofit World Magazine,’ ‘Nostalgia Magazine,’ and ‘Living Jackson Magazine.’

His fantasy novels were inspired by Glacier Park Montana where he worked as a bellman and from a tour of duty aboard an aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War.

He grew up in the Florida Panhandle, a wondrous place often called ‘the other Florida’ and ‘the forgotten coast,’ that was the perfect environment for growing up and learning about writing and magical realism.”

You can learn more about Mr. Campbell”s books on his website, or follow him on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Widely Scattered Ghosts begins with Moonlight and Ghosts: A couple visits an old abandoned mental hospital and development center at night, to quell some troubling dreams. This story draws you in quickly and kept me on tenterhooks until the very end. It had the right amount of tension to be spooky and just enough heart to leave a smile on my face.

Map Maker: Emily is a seventh-grade girl who sees and communes with spirits. She enjoys exploring in the woods behind her family’s house and her territory has expanded to the abandoned ruins of an estate. Her father, Martin (a civil engineer) made her a personal, poster-sized street map of the area and she enjoys adding her own personal touches. The woods behind her house, which the abandoned estate sits on, she has named The Ancient and Sacred Forest on her map. Her father tells her that area is in danger of being bulldozed and sold off as lots for a new subdivision.

Sweetbay Magnolia: Emily is visiting her grandmother, who lives a few blocks away. Granny is missing her almost forever home down by the river. Later that day Emily accompanies her father to an out of town meeting. The conversation between father and daughter is engaging, entertaining, and humorous. Father leaves Emily with the truck and keys to enjoy the river and the dock as he goes to his meeting. It’s twilight and foggy which is ripe for ghosts and spirits who reveal some intimate family secrets about granny’s past. The story is compelling and engaging.

High County Painter: Emily’s family takes a vacation to a mountain resort with a lake and hiking trails. Emily communes with nature spirits and learns a little magic. It’s a little unclear if this is a dream or actually happened. It’s a fun story.

The Opera House Ghosts: This is a hoot of an adventure that includes its own ghost story. Emily’s father is helping with the restoration of an old opera house. So, while he is away with meetings, we finally get to spend some time with Emily’s mom, Sarah, as they explore the old unique theater with lots of history and colorful spirits. Emily is growing into her own, she is fourteen in this story and refuses to take guff from anyone, alive or dead.

Cora’s Crossing: A spirit is awakened on a haunted bridge to aid a young woman. This is a gripping tale with some unsuspecting friends who get lost in the heavy fog. John and Randy end up with quite a tale to tell if they dare.

The Lady of the Blue Hour: A spirit story of a different kind. The story starts out a little puzzling as we are brought up to speed of a spirit running amok. A heartwarming tale of one soul of a tragedy. Don’t tell anyone, but, Kenneth has a little crush on Melinda.

Patience, I Presume: Prudence Lowe is a college student living at home. She needs to read the book she has chosen and write a book report on it which is due the following day. When the blowing snow knocks out the electricity strange things start happening in her room. It just so happens that the author of the book she chose to read used to live down the street and around the corner when she was alive. There is a rumor that the author actually channeled a spirit for her stories. Prudence’s interest is piqued beyond being prudent. The characters are engaging, entertaining, and a little spooky.

Haints in the Woods: This story is told by Lena, mostly. Eulalie is fit to be tied. It shouldn’t take Willie all afternoon to get a quart of milk from the Mercantile. The haints are flying since the graveyard has been relocated. When Pollyanna shows up with a crate full of bridal shower gifts for Eulalie, since there was no bridal shower. While sitting on the back porch, Pollyanna and Eulalie get soused on Eulalie’s best moonshine. Since Eulalie needs a distraction from her anger the crate of gifts turns out to be the perfect solution. The crate and Pollyanna worked its magic, and Eulalie declared Pollyanna down right shameful.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK
  
FYI:

Some of these short stories have been previously published, but are now out of print.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Monday, April 8, 2019

Review: Antisocial (Book 1) by Bradley Campbell



Genre: Short Story/Thriller

Description:

“New York City Detective Tristan Andretti crosses swords with deadly enemies in the hardest puzzle of his career.

With a beautiful fiancée and a promising, lucrative career in law enforcement, Detective Tristin Andretti was living the American dream. But like all dreams, it will come to end sooner or later. Only in his case, it ended in a nightmare when the unexpected happened, and he lost it all when a horrifying act of violence compels him to leave the force with an ashy, bitter taste in his mouth.

With his life crashing down around him, Tristin finds himself distracted both by his new client, Lucia Trenta—a spoiled, up-and-coming pop star with a skewed, narcissistic view of the world—and a dangerous situation that puts her life in danger.”

Author:

“Bradley Campbell is a tattooed sci-fi enthusiast, hopeless romantic, fiction author, and self-proclaimed geek who is on a lifelong mission to inspire his readers through the infinite power of suspenseful, paranormal, dramatic, and oftentimes love-infused storytelling.”

Appraisal:

In theory this is the first short story that, based on the “(Book 1)” in the title is the start of a series. In reality, it’s part (maybe half) of a story. We’re introduced to some characters and a bit of their backstory, but it is not a complete story. The writing is okay and the characters are intriguing. The characters meet each other, we can see how an interesting and entertaining story might develop from there in a few different ways, and then … we’re left hanging. If there is a point to this first installment in the series, it eludes me. Book 2 doesn’t exist yet, so I can’t guarantee the author knows either. Leaving an audience wanting to know what happens next is okay, to a point. But not until you’ve actually been told a story with a full story arc. Building up to no pay off in Book 1 is how you insure readers don’t bother with Book 2.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: *** Three Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 8-9,000 words