Review: Canyon Walk by Melissa Bowersock

 

Genre: Paranormal/Mystery/Native American

Description:

“Sam is contacted by a member of the Paiute tribe of Northern Arizona and asked to clear a location that’s been haunted for so long, no one remembers why. There’s literally no information available about it, making Lacey’s job impossible. In addition, the location is probably the most isolated place Sam and Lacey have ever investigated: the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Can they really tap into this forgotten story and unearth the ancient mystery?”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: paranormal, biography, western, action, romance, fantasy, spiritual, and satire. She has been both traditionally and independently published and writes the Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery Series. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

For more, visit Ms Bowersock’s website.

Appraisal:

If you’ve read a few of the past books in this series (this is book 48) then you’ll know the basics of what to expect. Sam Firecloud, a native American, is able to communicate with the spirits of people who have died at some point in the past, but due to some unfinished issue, the spirit is unable to move on to whatever comes next. Sam’s wife, Lacey Fitzpatrick, assists him, taking videos of his end of any interactions with the spirits, and helps him with research, and in countless other ways.

This book conforms to the pattern, but like every other in the series, it is unique and has twists and qualities that are unlike the others in the series. You’ll get a peek into the history of the area of Arizona where the Grand Canyon is located. While fiction, I found myself flashing on how I felt reading certain kinds of travel or non-fiction adventure memoirs as Sam and Lacey had to take a multi-day rafting trip down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon. If you’ve ever done a whitewater rafting trip of any length, you’ll be holding onto your chair and flashing back on the fun you had doing that. (If not, here’s your chance to try it out vicariously.) As with others in the series, this is a quick, fun, and entertaining read.

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: Author Walk by Melissa Bowersock

 

Genre: Mystery/Native American/Paranormal

Description:

“Sam and Lacey are called to the Malibu home of a famous bestselling author to investigate strange poltergeist manifestations. When Sam walks the house, he quickly discovers two things. The ghost is the spirit of another writer—the man’s own dead wife.

And she is pissed.”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: paranormal, biography, western, action, romance, fantasy, spiritual, and satire. She has been both traditionally and independently published and writes the Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery Series. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

For more, visit Ms Bowersock’s website.

Appraisal:

For those not familiar with this series, Sam Firecloud is able to communicate with the spirit of a person who has died and for some reason hasn’t moved on from this life to the next, essentially hanging around and, for lack of a better term, haunting people in this world. Typically there is a reason for this which needs to be resolved. With his partner, Lacey Fitzpatrick, Sam is called on to help understand and resolve these issues so the spirit can move on.

In some ways, this book is like the others in the series, at least at the high level above. But there is also a second major story thread which, while related to the main story thread, is presented in a different way. I won’t go into more detail to avoid spoilers, but will say that I was eager to figure out how both threads were going to resolve and was kept guessing and engaged in both parts of the story to the 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: Healing Walk by Melissa Bowersock

Genre: Paranormal/Mystery/Native American

Description:

“Medium Sam Firecloud and his investigative partner, Lacey Fitzpatrick, are used to being called in to rid homes of ghosts, but are surprised when they’re asked to investigate a haunting in a hospital. The case turns out to be more difficult than usual for two reasons: the ghost doesn’t actually understand what caused the death, and the administrator of the hospital does not want the paranormal pair and their unorthodox methods connected to his facility in any way. Sam and Lacey are determined to find out the information they need to release the ghost, but can they do it before the administrator makes good on his threats to have them thrown in jail?”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: paranormal, biography, western, action, romance, fantasy, spiritual, and satire.”

For more visit Ms.Bowersock’s website and follow her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Based on my experience so far, I think the books in this series are fun, fast reads. They all involve Sam Firecloud, who has the ability to communicate with people who have died, but the spirits of these people remain trapped on this plane until some unfinished issue is resolved at which point they can move on in peace to whatever comes after this life. Sure, this basic premise and formula requires the reader to suspend disbelief, as would be required with any book that touches on the paranormal. But it isn’t that hard and then what you’re left with is an entertaining mystery that, because of the main thing Sam and his partner Lacey use to get clues, tends to take the story in different directions with more than a few unique twists and turns when compared with a typical mystery. It also opens up the possibilities as to the kinds of mysteries Sam and Lacey can tackle, sometimes solving mysteries and helping a spirit move on who has been trapped in between this life and the next for years or, as in this case, help someone who has been trapped for a relatively short time. The unique aspects of each story keep the reader guessing and engrossed in the story. This installment of the series has a few things that aren’t typical of the others, the biggest one being that some people in power obviously didn’t want the case resolved which complicated Sam and Lacey’s job. Overall, this was another fun, entertaining read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Although this is book 34 in the Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud mystery series each story stands alone.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 20-25,000 words

Review: Hopi Walk by Melissa Bowersock

 Genre: Cozy Mystery/Native American/Paranormal

Description:

“Navajo police officer John Stoneburner is a tough cookie who hates to rely on anyone else, especially Sam Firecloud with his ‘woo-woo’ abilities. So when John asks Sam to investigate the death of his own brother, Sam knows John is totally out of ideas. The investigation centers on Blue Canyon, a scenic and spiritual area of the Hopi reservation. When Sam walks the location, he not only connects with John’s brother, but also with other enraged spirits that are out for revenge, and that don’t care who they exact it from.”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: biography, contemporary, western, action, romance, fantasy, paranormal and spiritual. She has been both traditionally and independently published and is a regular contributor to the superblog Indies Unlimited. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She lives in a small community in northern Arizona with her husband and an Airedale terrier. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

Learn more about Ms. Bowersock and her other books on her website or on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Although I’ve been aware of them, this was my first time reading one of the books in the Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud mystery series. It was a nice change of pace. They’re likeable characters, as are most of the others in the story (with a few obvious exceptions). The mystery being solved kept me engaged. What sets this series apart from a typical cozy mystery is the settings, often in or near Navajo or, in this case, Hopi, country in northern Arizona with lots of natives playing a role in the story. (Firecloud is a Navajo himself.) There are also a lot of supernatural aspects with Firecloud having the ability to, for lack of a better word, communicate with the spirits of those who are no longer alive. This adds a twist to the story and the approach Sam and Lacey use to get to the bottom of the mystery that makes for a fun, unpredictable read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI

This is book 33 of this series. It’s also the first I’ve read. The books can be read as standalones with each installment taking a particular case from start to end.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 45-50,000 words

Review: Vengeful Spirits by Sandy Wolters

 

Genre: Paranormal Mystery/Native American/Romance

Description:

“Nathan Gordon has been hired by a ranch owner to find his missing cowboys, and to also investigate several mysterious animal mutilations. The job brings him closer to the beautiful Navajo Medicine woman, he fell in love with at first sight. Yet, he can't quite bring himself to believe in some of their rituals. Not to mention terrifying spirits.

Bright Flower has known since she was a child, Nathan is the man she is destined to marry. However convincing her grandfather is harder than she thought it would be. Just when she and Nathan have his blessing, malevolent Skinwalkers target their loved ones, and threaten to take away all she and Nathan hold dear.

The battle they wage could end in a living hell, sending Nathan and Bright Flower to a fate worse than death.”

Author:

From Ms. Wolters’ Amazon Author page: “I've been an avid reader for years. To my husband's dismay, I have bookshelves full of books, rooms full of books, boxes full of books. My cars have books in them. I just can't seem to get rid of them after I read them. You just never know when you will want to read it again, right?

About two years ago, my husband gave me the dream gift, a Kindle. It was love at first sight and my first foray into the world of eBooks.  While I still have books everywhere, I no longer take ten or twelve books with me when I go on vacation. The only thing I need is my Kindle. It never leaves my purse.

My genre of choice is romance with a paranormal twist…The women in my books are strong individuals that have moments of weakness and frailty to work through.”

Appraisal:

Nathan Gordon, a former police officer who is employed as a security specialist, is the lead investigator assigned to determine what is happening on a large property in Arizona. Montana Rancher, John “Mac” MacAllister, is having disturbing events on his new property and he wants answers. His property borders a Navajo Reservation and they seem to understand the curse that has been placed on the land years ago.

In the meantime, Nathan has been having lucid dreams about what his friends are calling an Indian princess. When he sees her in person he is too shy to speak to her. Nathan learns she is the granddaughter of the tribe’s Shaman, Spirit Keeper. Bright Flower was not only Spirit Keeper’s granddaughter, she is also a Shaman. Bright Flower shares Nathan’s dreams and uses that time to teach him the Navajo ways. However, she has not taught him their rituals yet.

Dealing with angry spirits is a frightening experience for all, especially for white men who haven’t been raised knowing spirits are all around. As believers are gathered for the big attack on a particularly nasty spirit who is at the center of this mess. To fight all these evil spirits our small group of believers with some power of their own have to travel to where the activity is the strongest. The tensions are high, everyone is short on nerves, misunderstandings pop-up all over the place. Self-doubt sets in while waiting on real battle to begin, which just feeds the evil spirits.

Somehow Ms. Wolters is able to keep all the threads in Vengeful Spirits organized and didn’t drop even one, as far as I could tell. If you are looking for a well told story with lots of different elements, I would recommend this book. Each of the three books in Spirit Voices Series is a stand-alone book, but I can see I missed some character development because I didn’t read book 2, Ruthless Spirits. It kinda got mixed in the shuffle, luckily BigAl was able to locate it for me.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Vengeful Spirits is book 3 in Ms. Wolters, Spirit Voices Series.

There are a number of F-bombs dropped and some intimate scenes tastefully depicted.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

Reprise Review: White Girl by Grace Jelsnik

Genre: Suspense/Mystery/Adventure/Native American

Description:

“When her lifelong best friend, Maggie, entrusts a USB drive into Tashina’s care, she tells the rookie FBI agent to give it to an unknown David if anything happens to her. He’ll find her, Maggie assures her. Hours later, Maggie is dead, and Tashina’s family and friends are under surveillance. She has nowhere to run but to the home of her mother’s people, the Lakota Sioux on Pine Ridge Reservation. In her journey from California to South Dakota and back again, the half-Lakota Tashina learns not only what is on the USB drive but also what it means to be half-Indian and half-white in a world where both sides still nurse old grievances. A mission to honor a friend’s request becomes a period of discovery for the woman disparagingly called ‘white-girl.’”

Author:

“Grace Jelsnik lives in North Dakota with her husband of fifteen years, their three children, two dogs, and three cats. Her romances emphasize the give-and-take emotional interaction between two characters, addressing the sparks that lead to heat, not the heat itself. She takes pride in writing clean romances for both young and old readers, novels her daughter can one day read without embarrassment, and enjoys inserting comic elements into both plot and dialogue.”

To see more books by Ms. Jelsnik you can visit her Amazon Author page or Goodreads.

Appraisal:

I like to read stories that include Native American elements, more often than not mysticism is brought into play. That is not what you will find in this novel though. What you will get is a solid view of Sioux culture and history. Tashina’s parents recognized her warrior spirit at a young age and sent her to spend summers with her grandfather on the Pine Ridge Reservation so she could have a solid foundation in her Native American heritage. However, her cousins never let her forget they considered her a white girl because she wasn’t a full-blood Sioux. The story is told through Tashina’s point-of-view so we are given insight into her inner thoughts as she works through her inner dilemmas; justifying her FBI identity, her somewhat privileged white upbringing, and her Sioux heritage. I found these story arcs particularly engaging and fascinating.

Ms. Jelsnik has woven Tashina’s journey with a powerful story arc about a homeland terror plot that could have a global impact. This includes corporate espionage on the highest level as well as potential corruption in other federal agencies. Tashina’s only ally is a man named David she had never met. David is an unusual, interesting character. He was raised by a man who was not his father and who instilled discipline and loyalty to mold him into an ideal agent. Tashina has her suspicions as to which agency, she has good instincts that serve her well throughout the story. David was secretive and detached; he also had good instincts as well as survival training. He was quick to observe that Tashina was trapped between two cultures, being an Indian at heart but white in practice. Their relationship was guarded and felt realistic. Their dialogue was comical at times as they played off each other like an old married couple.

I don’t usually read political intrigue type novels full of espionage, but this one seemed well researched, plausible, and frightening. I wouldn’t call White Girl a relaxing read, but I did enjoy it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it if this is a genre you enjoy.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Original review posted June 17, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues were noted.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 65-70,000 words

Reprise Review: Spider's Lifeline by Lynne Cantwell

Genre: Urban Fantasy/World Mythology/Native American

Description:

“Webb Curtis lives in anticipation. His relatives do amazing things as a matter of course. His mother is Naomi Curtis, who facilitated the Gods’ power-sharing agreement that led to Their return to Earth. Older sister Sage saved the Earth by kicking the gods into action on climate change.

And Webb? Knitting is his superpower. He also knows the future, but only when he’s not directly involved. Now thirty-five and with a baby on the way, he is trying to find his place in the world. But his task will be complicated by a smoky interloper, an Icelandic princess, a tiny golden spider -- and Ragnarok, a.k.a. the end of the world. Not even Webb himself could have anticipated this...”

Author:

“Lynne Cantwell is a contributing author at IndiesUnlimited where she shares her knowledge about Indie publishing and promotion. She has a master’s degree in fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University and is a former broadcast journalist who has written for CNN and Mutual/NBC Radio News, among other places. Ms. Cantwell recently retired and moved to New Mexico.

Ms. Cantwell is the author of The Pipe Woman Chronicles, which includes five books, The Land, Sea, Sky series, which includes three books, Spider’s Lifeline is the third volume in the Pipe Woman's Legacy books. Cantwell also has other works of fiction and non-fiction alike.”

You can learn more about Ms. Cantwell’s other books at her website.

Appraisal:

Spider's Lifeline is the third volume in the Pipe Woman's Legacy series and begins several years after the ending of Firebird’s Snare. At first I was a little disappointed to learn that Webb was now thirty-five years old. I suppose I wanted to watch him grow up. This book, however, has moved beyond a coming of age tale, instead dealing mainly with Norse mythology, concerning Ragnarok "Fate of the Gods," and Native American legends.

Webb does an excellent job setting up this story as well as filling in any background information we need to know. The story was mainly told from his first-person point-of-view with a few occasional point-of-view shifts to Sage, whose current mission intertwines with Webb’s nightmares. Several players are brought back into the mix to complicate and or help in the situation at hand. There are also a couple of new players woven in to make things even more interesting. One character has pleasantly surprised me and I eagerly wait to hear more about Antonia’s and Brock’s youngest son, Roman. He may well turn out to be an unsuspected ally. The other is the hereditary princess of Iceland, Ingrid Ingunnardottir, who seems to be causing disruptions on cosmic levels. Ms. Cantwell has indeed woven a tangled web.

I suspected as the story branched off into related story arcs—or strands of a web, if you don’t mind me saying—that there was no way to bring this book to a satisfying ending with Ragnarok looming. This story alludes to a disagreement between the Gods on a cosmic level that is starting to spill over into the mortal realm and might bring forth the end of the world. On the home front, society is breaking down and Sage is, yet again, conflicted about the role the Gods have chosen for her. This is also causing tension between Naomi and Sage as well.

One of the aspects I liked about Ms. Cantwell’s storytelling, which shines in this series, is the seeming role reversal of Sage and Webb. Sage’s patron, being the Phoenix, is outwardly more physically protective and aggressive. While Webb, being Heyoka—the sacred clown in the Lakota tradition—tends to be more introspective and creative. I love the unassuming air he exudes throughout this book. Despite the critical importance of this story to the series, Webb’s voice is light and easy to read. He is my favorite character of all and I loved getting to know him better.

If you are a reader who has aversions to cliff-hangers you may wish to wait for the next book to be released before reading this one. I could see it coming as there were many strands to this tangled web that needed resolving. I felt like I knew this author well enough that she wouldn’t let the story suffer by closing things up too quickly. So for that I was thankful. Now, I can’t wait for the next addition to this series. Hurry hard, Ms. Cantwell.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Spider's Lifeline is Book 3 of the Pipe Woman's Legacy series. While this book could be read as a stand-alone, because Ms. Cantwell does an excellent job filling the reader in on pertinent info, do yourself a favor and read book 1, Dragon’s Web, and book 2, Firebird's Snare.

I need to add a warning here, there were several F-bombs dropped and sexual abuse, including a mildly graphic rape, for those who have sensitivity in these areas.

Original review posted April 22, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

I found excellent formatting and editing.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count:  55-60,000 words

Reprise Review: An Honorable Man by Donna Fasano

 

Editors Note: It has come to our attention that the Kindle version of this book will be free on Amazon from June 16 to June 21, 2021.

Genre: Sweet Romance/Native American

Description:

“Nothing can make Native American Mat Makwa give up being a New York City police officer… except one little girl—all alone in the world—who needs a father. Returning to his Kolheek reservation to take on the safer job of sheriff of this small, close-knit community, he never expects his heart might be in danger to school teacher Julie Dacey.

Mat's six-year-old daughter Grace is a handful, and Julie finds herself getting to know Mat quite well during some intense parent-teacher meetings, which soon start occurring after hours. Then Mat begins mentoring Julie’s troubled teenaged brother and her heart softens toward this honorable man. Despite being wary of relationships, Julie can’t deny how her soul soars when Mat is near. Is the attraction between the flame-haired beauty and the lawman destined to turn into love?”

Author:

“Donna Fasano is a three-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, a Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time winner of Best Romance of the Year given by BigAl's Books & Pals Review Blog. Her books have sold 4 million copies worldwide and have been published in two dozen languages. Her novels have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #1.”

Ms. Fasano has two grown sons and lives with her husband on the eastern seaboard of the United States. To learn more please visit her website or follow her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

When Mat Makwa, a NYC police officer, gets custody of Grace, a six year-old spitfire who is smart beyond her years, he decides to raise her in his hometown in Vermont. Misty Glen is a small Kolheek reservation where he has lined up a job as Sheriff, and he enrolls Grace in the first grade. As a member of the NYCPD he saw too many fellow police officers lose their life only to see the devastation on the families faces to allow that to happen to him. So he has sworn off relationships, Grace is all he is willing to take on.

On Grace’s first day of school she punches a fellow student. As a result Mat is called in for a parent teacher conference that afternoon. Grace’s teacher is Julie Dacey, a new resident in the area. When Mat and Julie first formally meet, fireworks fly. Both are caught off-guard by their overwhelming feelings, but try to remain professional during the conference. 

Julie Dacey has had a difficult time with abusive men growing up and is leery of new men. She has also carried a guilt for leaving her young brother, Brian, behind when she went to college. After her mother dies, and she had earned her teaching degree, Julie is able to get legal custody of Brian. She moves to the small Kolheek reservation in Misty Glen. She is hired as a first grade teacher at the elementary school there. She hopes that moving Brian to this small community will help tame his rebellious, thirteen year-old, nature.

Watching Mat’s internal struggles with his own convictions is frustrating, aggravating, and at times comical. Julie is intelligent and strong-willed, she also understands Mat’s position. However, Julie doesn’t have to do anything but be near him for his will to stay single to shatter all around him. It’s entertaining to watch their dance and a bit nerve wracking. It’s usually the woman I want to bop on the head and say, ‘Snap out of it!’ I loved the way Julie handled Mat at the end, after all he put her through, she did good.

An Honorable Man is enlightening, heart-warming, and a fun read. Grace was a blast! Ms. Fasano always makes her kids realistic and a joy to read about. We got to meet Dakota and Chay briefly as the story arc widens. I really can’t wait to read Chay’s story! He captured my interest. All we know about Chay is he’s taking a break from life, living alone in an old hunting cabin in the woods. I need me some Chay! But, Dakota’s story is next, I am looking forward to learning more about these Black Bear Brothers!

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

An Honorable Man is book 1 in Ms. Fasano’s, The Black Bear Brothers Series.  Although the books in this series are stand-alone novels, reading the books in order will offer the most enjoyable experience.

Original review was posted October 23, 2019.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant proofing errors.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Reprise Review: A Billion Gods and Goddesses: The Mythology Behind the Pipe Woman Chronicles by Lynne Cantwell

 

Genre: Mythology/Legends/Folk Tales/Native American/Spirituality

Description:

“More than forty deities, representative of fifteen pantheons from around the world, have found Their way into the ten books (and counting!) of the Pipe Woman Chronicles story cycle. In A Billion Gods and Goddesses: The Mythology Behind the Pipe Woman Chronicles, you will find additional information on each of the deities in the urban fantasy series, as well as a brief foundation in comparative mythology.

The gods and goddesses in the Pipe Woman Chronicles hail from Alaska to Mexico, and from Russia and Scandinavia to Ireland and Japan – with pantheons of several Native American tribes well represented. The book is organized by type of deity: creators, tricksters, and so on. The gods are also cross-listed by pantheon, as well as by Their first appearance in the series.

A Billion Gods and Goddesses is meant to be a companion volume to the Pipe Woman Chronicles novels, but it also serves as a wide-ranging introduction to the subject of mythology. Anyone curious about what others believe will find something to interest them here.”

Author:

Lynne Cantwell is a contributing author at Indies Unlimited where she shares her knowledge about Indie publishing and promotion. She has a master’s degree in fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University and is a former broadcast journalist who has written for CNN and Mutual/NBC Radio News, among other places. Ms. Cantwell currently lives near Washington, DC. You can connect with her at her website or on her Facebook page.

Appraisal:

I found this a comprehensive guide for the Pipe Woman Chronicles, Pipe Woman's Legacy, and Land, Sea, Sky Trilogy. I wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy just reading about the gods and goddesses but Ms. Cantwell is a storyteller at heart. It would be extremely wordy to include every detail about each and every god or goddesses she included in her stories. Besides you would get distracted from the story itself that she was trying to tell.

In this book she has included more information she liked and expands a bit further. As an example, “To most people these days, myth is a derogatory term that denotes a story based on a lie. But to anthropologists, a myth a simply a sacred narrative.” And it turns out there are a lot of similarities between most if not all mythic cultures around the world.

I like the way Ms. Cantwell has organized her extensive research referencing and cross-referencing, and cross-cross-referencing. I can’t even imagine the tangled webs she wove and unwove for our benefit. Thanks for going to so much trouble for your readers' benefit, Ms. Cantwell.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

This is where I generally mention foul language or sexual content… I got nuttin’.

Original review posted February 12, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

I don’t recall any proofing or editing issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 20-25,000 words

Review: Execution Walk by Melissa Bowersock

 

Genre: Mystery/Paranormal/Native American

Description:

“On a lazy morning, paranormal investigators Sam Firecloud and Lacey Fitzpatrick take some rare time off and head for the beach—Huntington Beach, to be exact. What they don’t expect is to wander onto the scene of a brutal murder committed the night before. When Sam’s initial impressions are surreptitiously recorded by TV cameras at the same time that a local psychic named Anubis makes startling claims about the murder, news journalists smell a ratings bonanza—the battle of the psychics. All Sam and Lacey want to do is stop the killer from killing again, which turns out to be more complex than they’d imagined—especially with the annoying distraction of being partnered with Anubis.”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: biography, contemporary, western, action, romance, fantasy, paranormal and spiritual. She has been both traditionally and independently published and is a regular contributor to the superblogIndies Unlimited. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She lives in a small community in northern Arizona with her husband and an Airedale terrier. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

Learn more about Ms. Bowersock and her other books on her website or on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Navajo Medium Sam Firecloud and Lacey Fitzpatrick, an ex-LAPD homicide detective, have become quite well known as paranormal investigators. On one of their days off they head to Huntington Beach to stroll and take in the sights. Unbeknownst to them a murder is discovered in a small park area just outside of the business district. Were they drawn to Huntington Beach because of the murder or was it serendipitous? As they are rubbernecking along with the rest of the tourists they come across a local psychic named Anubis speaking to a local news reporter. Sam scoffs privately to Lacey about Anubis’s reading. He didn’t realize Marina Vasquez, another journalist they know all too well, is directly behind him recording his words to Lacy, and of course her cameraman got them all on tape. So begins the battle of the psychics.

After another murder Tobin, the Chief of Police in Huntington Beach, has no other choice than to bring in Sam with Lacey, and Anubis with his lovely assistant Falana, to enlist their talents to help solve these murders. Lacey is in her element helping the police. The murders seem random and unrelated in similarities. Execution Walk has a nice pace as the plot twists into a web of ignored humanity that turns into a standoff and bullets start flying. Tension and emotions run high for a powerful conclusion. Then the reader will get a reprieve to breathe again, and the story comes to a satisfying ending.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Execution Walk is book 29 in Melissa Bowersock’s, A Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery Series. There are also a few F-bombs dropped.

Format/Typo Issues:

I was a beta reader for this book and can’t comment on the finished product.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 35-40,000 words

Reprise Review: Reclaim My Heart by Donna Fasano

Description:

“Sixteen years ago, Tyne Whitlock cut all ties to her past and left town under the shameful shadow of a teenage pregnancy. Now her fifteen-year-old son is in trouble with the law and she is desperate for help. But reaching out to high-powered attorney Lucas Silver Hawk will tear open the heart-wrenching past in ways Tyne never imagined.”

“Forced to return to the Delaware Indian community where Lucas was raised, Tyne and Lucas are tempted by the heated passion that consumed them as teens. Tyne rediscovers all the reasons she found this man irresistible, but there are scandalous secrets waiting to be revealed, disgraceful choices made in the past that cannot be denied. Love is a powerful force that could heal them both—if the truth doesn't rip them apart.”

Author:

Donna Fasano was the winner in Books and Pals first ever Readers’ Choice awards in the romance category. She is also a three time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, and a Golden Heart finalist. Her books have sold just shy of 4 million copies worldwide and been published in nearly two dozen languages. Ms. Fasano also enjoys posting delicious recipes on her website where you can also find out about her other books. You may also like to follow her on FaceBook.

Appraisal:

Beyond the entertainment provided by a good book there is often more to be gained for a savvy reader. Fictional characters can be like windows into the minds and hearts of others and sometimes can provide a catalyst to a better understanding of ourselves. Any book in the romance genre almost always has this. While we’re being entertained by the foibles and human frailties of the hero and heroine we’re also gaining insight into how other people think and react in different situations. The best authors are keen observers of human nature and able to translate what they’ve found into their stories. I’ve read many of Donna Fasano’s books and from her very first, Mountain Laurel, originally published a few decades ago, have been impressed by her ability to create characters that rang true to life. Reclaim My Heart continues this streak, but it also has something extra.

In addition to the type of themes you’d expect in a romance novel mostly revolving around romantic relationships, marriage, and commitment, are several others. While issues of the role and importance of the immediate family, a couple and any children involved, this book also explores extended family and how these relationships influence lives in both good and bad ways. Ideas around this subject are looked at from multiple perspectives, Tyne’s relationship with her parents, the relationship Lucas and Zach (Tyne’s son) have with Lucas’ Uncle Jasper, and the relationship between an Amish woman who figures into Lucas’ life and her father. Other themes such as culture, religion or spirituality, and the concept of home and roots (both familial and geographical) play a part in the story. The result is Fasano’s best book yet. One that should satisfy the romance reader looking for entertainment, but a story with more complexity under the surface than a typical romance.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

This book contains adult language and situations that may be offensive to some.

Added for Reprise Review: Reclaim My Heart by Donna Fasano was the WINNER in the Romance category for B&P 2014 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran May 20, 2013.

Format/Typo Issues:

My review is based on a pre-release copy and I’m unable to judge this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 65-70,000 words

Review: Heart Walk by Melissa Bowersock

Genre: Cozy Mystery/Native American/Paranormal

Description:

“In an older LA neighborhood, a nearly eighty-year-old house is haunted by a very persistent—and threatening—ghost. Multiple efforts to convince the ghost to move on have failed. When medium Sam Firecloud and his partner Lacey Fitzpatrick are called in to take a stab at it, they quickly realize there is more to the story than they know. The only question is, can they unravel the mystery before the enraged ghost takes out its revenge… on them?”

Author:

 “Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: biography, contemporary, western, action, romance, fantasy, paranormal and spiritual. She has been both traditionally and independently published and is a regular contributor to the superblog Indies Unlimited. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She lives in a small community in northern Arizona with her husband and an Airedale terrier. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.

Learn more about Ms. Bowersock and her other books on her website or on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Due to extenuating circumstances Sam Firecloud and Lacey Fitzpatrick require a different approach to appease the angry spirit in Heart Walk. Sonya Nakashita is at her wits end with a threating manifestation in her sewing room. She’s had a psychic who tried crystals and banishment spells with no luck. Madam Rubinskya recommended an exorcism, which also ended in failure. Through Lacey’s research she’s pretty sure she has found the spirit’s name, but they need to learn his story.

In the meantime it is family weekend, Daniel has a new girlfriend named Chelsea. She joins the family for pizza and then they all go back to Sam and Lacey’s apartment to watch a movie. Chelsea picks Poltergeist and asks if ghost stories were okay for them. Hahahaha, poor thing doesn’t have a clue. However, she finds it all fascinating. I love watching the antics that go on during family weekends. Sam and Lacey agree that Daniel needs to learn some dating etiquette.

As the pieces start coming together the twists turn disturbing and unsettling. Ms. Bowersock knows how to weave a tangled web of deceit to keep the tension high. Getting to the truth of this angry spirit who wants revenge is a whirlwind of emotions. The climax is startling and deplorable.

Heart Walk is a captivating story, and not to be missed. I love the way that each book is fresh and unique unto itself.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Heart Walk is book 26 in Ms. Bowersock’s, A Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery Series.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 25-30,000 words