The Purveli by Dianne Duvall (Author), Kirsten Potter (Narrator),
Aldebarian Alliance, Book 3
Publisher: Self-published, Tantor Audio (Audio Publisher)
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy, Romance, Action/Adventure
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Xeranthemum
Ava has always been different. Born with strong telepathic abilities, she lives a very isolated life until she is offered a job with an obscure network that aids powerful Immortal Guardians in their quest to protect humanity from the psychotic vampires who prey upon them. Suddenly, she doesn’t feel so different. For the first time in her life, Ava has found a place where she belongs. She’s happy. Life is good. And when her employers invite her to join a group of other gifted ones and a handful of Immortal Guardians on a journey to another planet, it becomes absolutely fantastic.
In no time at all, she is speeding across the galaxy aboard a Lasaran warship manned by two amazing alien races. It’s the dream of a lifetime… until a vicious attack by a mutual enemy of Lasara and Earth lands her alone in an escape pod with no habitable planet in sight and only one ship within range: one that carries the enemy who wants to know why the bioengineered virus they released on Earth long ago didn’t exterminate humanity and leave the planet ripe for their claiming.
Jak’ri doesn’t know how long he has been a prisoner aboard the Cebaun, but he fears the enemy’s twisted experiments will soon lead them to a virus that will eradicate the Purveli people. Despair grips him until a female from Earth is taken captive and reaches out to him telepathically. The gift that Ava said caused her such misery in the past soon becomes his salvation as the two of them form a fast friendship. Determined to distract each other from the horrors of their existence, they immerse themselves in telepathic communion during the day, then seek solace and adventure together in shared dreams. As their friendship deepens into love, the two hatch a daring plot to escape their captors. But the enemy will not let them go without a fight.
Can Ava and Jak’ri stand against so many and emerge victorious?
Archives for February 2022
Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ The Purveli by Dianne Duvall
Becoming a Randal by Lauri Robinson
Becoming a Randal by Lauri Robinson
Publisher: Fire and Ice/Melange Publishing
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by AstilbeWhen fourteen-year-old Samantha West and her younger brother, Tommy, are placed in a foster home, Sam feels as if she’s been thrown into a Hallmark movie, full of perfect looking people—actors. The only person not acting, is Spencer Randal, her sixteen-year-old foster brother who hates her. By way of a broken leg, getting hauled home by the cops, and a haunted house, Sam and Spencer each learn what it truly means to be a Randal—Do your best, don’t give up, set goals and work towards them, be a good person, and make things right whenever you can. However, just when Sam’s life has become as perfect as a Hallmark movie, she and Tommy are returned to their mother, where nothing has changed. As the cycle of living on the streets returns, Sam decides it’s time to make things right.
Life is like a roller coaster ride when you’re a foster kid.
The character development in this novel was fantastic. Not only could I describe the personalities of every major character in vivid detail, they grew and changed over the course of the plot in realistic and spectacular ways. They felt real to me. As much ground as was already covered here, there was still plenty of room for future growth if she decides to do that. I can’t stop hoping that Ms. Robinson will write a sequel so that I can spend more time with all of the wonderfully nuanced individuals in this universe.
I do wish more time had been spent on describing the process that Samantha and Tommy’s mother needed to go through if she wanted to regain custody of her children. Foster care is a complex system, and I think it would have made sense for the social worker to be a bit more forthcoming about how the case was going and what the next step would be. This was the only thing holding me back from giving a five-star review.
Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that showed Samantha’s adjustment to living in a quiet, happy foster home where everyone always had clean clothing and enough food to eat. The descriptions of the neglect and abuse she suffered when she lived with her biological mom were appropriate for this age group, but they were also incredibly sad at times. I totally understood why she was mystified by how nice her foster parents were or suspicious about their motives. The poor girl had been through so much. It made total sense that she’d react this way to simple acts of kindness, and I was glad the author gave this character the space she needed to accept her newfound, if temporary, stability.
Speaking of that topic, I adored the kindness that was woven into the plot beginning with the very first scene when the Randals warmly welcomed Samantha and Tommy into their home. There were countless examples of other good deeds later on in the storyline that always felt natural for the characters who were performing them. Reading this was like drinking a cup of hot cocoa. It made me feel all warm and cozy inside, and I eagerly kept going while I hoped that everyone would get the happy ending they so richly deserved.
Becoming a Randal was a heartwarming read.
The Small Stuff by Paul Davidson
The Small Stuff by Paul Davidson
Publisher: Hadleigh House Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by NymphaeaJosh Allen always dreamed of finding his soulmate, only to be told it wasn’t ever going to happen. Maggie Mills found who she thought was hers, only for the relationship to end in disaster. Now, the two are struggling to make their way in the City of Angels, with zero faith they’ll ever find that one true love. Fortunately, the universe has other plans, as Josh and Maggie will soon discover.
Meet the village of people around them: family, friends, local auto body clerks, homeless journeymen, famous chefs, and nighttime talk show hosts-people whose small, insignificant decisions in life are the reason why Josh and Maggie will finally meet once and for all. But when the two realize they’ve been unknowingly crossing paths all their lives, their small love story takes on even bigger significance.
A romantic comedy for the new millennium, The Small Stuff asks the ultimate question: What if the reason we find the love of our life isn’t due to fate or chance or plain dumb luck-but because of the decisions everyone around us ends up making?
What if the decisions around us are what shape us, not our own choices?
Paul Davidson asks an interesting question in this book. What if we’re shaped by our surroundings and other choices besides 0ur own? It makes sense that it would happen.
This is a book of people. Sounds strange to say that, right? It sort of is, but this book reminds me of the saying it takes a village…and in this case, the village is well represented.
This story is written in an easy fashion and goes along at a great clip. There are a lot of characters, so it’s sometimes a bit difficult to keep everyone straight. I did have a hard time identifying with Maggie and Josh because they seemed a bit flat as characters. I wanted to root for them and I did want to know what would happen, but sometimes I wish I’d have connected with them more.
The Small Stuff was enjoyable and quick. It’s nice for an afternoon or weekend read. The message of love and soulmates shines through. It’s a good read. Why not try it?
Why Do I Write? by Brian H. Roberts
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Brian H. Roberts will be awarding a $75 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
I first realized I had a knack for writing in my junior high creative writing class. My teacher, Joel Berman, encouraged me to focus on descriptive writing – painting a picture with words. He taught me to observe a scene with my mind’s eye and describe what I see. It’s a skill the most successful writers have all mastered.
I love thrillers. Dean Koonz, Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, Michael Crichton, Lee Child, Lisa Jackson – I can’t read enough of them. At the same time, I love hard Sci-Fi. Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Frank Herbert, Kim Stanley Robinson, Andy Weir. My work is a combination of the two genres – thrillers set in the near-future. I incorporate the action, suspense and surprises of the thriller genre, as I hew closely to real-world science and physics and where it will take us in the next fifteen years or so.
So how does a love for reading translate into a love of writing? All those bad guys I concoct are really just there to provide adversity for my protagonists to overcome. At my core I’m an optimist. I believe that good will always triumph – maybe not today, but it will always triumph in the end. So, I love to tell the story of the struggle of good over evil, charity over malice, concern for one’s fellow man (or woman) over selfishness, love over hate. In many ways its personally cathartic to write. And I hope, entertaining for those who read what I write. So buckle up and come along for the ride!
How do you fight a hidden adversary on Mars?
Dallas Gordon’s miners keep disappearing. Back on Earth, general Zhang Aiguo has seized control of the Chinese military and declared himself emperor. His forces have secretly dispatched to the Red Planet to plunder EPSILON’s hard-won treasure.
Time is running out. Can Dallas Gordon and the Prospector team find Zhang’s hidden bases before they are all killed?
Enjoy an Excerpt
“I’ve lost contact with Dave!”
Allie stood in the shop doorway, her eyes wide as saucers.
Dallas looked up from the shop bench, saw the panic in her eyes, and started toward the door. He briskly accompanied her to the common room.
“Tell me everything you know.”
Allie spoke in a torrent, “I compiled the latest welfare check just five minutes ago. The drill rig was still parked at Site 7. Dave and Number Two were positioned a hundred yards to the northwest of the drill rig. Dave’s heart rate, respiration and core temp were all nominal. Radio check was normal, using MGPS comm band.”
Allie sat down hard at the communication console.
“I no sooner sent the report to you and Doc when I looked up at the MGPS locator map and saw this!”
She stabbed an index finger at the display. Dallas followed her extended finger to the screen. A solid X labeled “Drill Rig” occupied the center of the screen. Three inches higher and to the left, another X was labelled “Site 7.” Other than topographic contour lines, the screen was blank.
Dallas ordered, “Show me where Dave and Number Two were located when you compiled the welfare report.”
Allie’s finger slid a few inches higher and to the left, then hovered over the X at Site 7.
About the Author:
In his first life, Brian worked as a contractor and civil engineer in bustling Seattle. Desiring a change, he and his wife traded big city life for the outdoor adventures of Central Oregon. His writing draws deeply on his lifelong loves of science/technology and adventure sports. His EPSILON Sci-Fi Thriller series now boasts two novels: Red Dragon and Crimson Lucre.
Buy the book at Amazon.
Rock of Salvation by M.J. Schiller
Rock of Salvation by M.J. Schiller
Love and Chaos Series, Book 4
Publisher: Kissmet Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by MistflowerJericho Tyler was comfortable in his role as the wild man of Just Short Of Chaos. Different gorgeous women throwing themselves at him every night? What self-respecting hetero male wouldn’t dream of that? But when Salvation steps out of his shower and into his life, things start to change.
Oh, yeah. I knew the second I saw her that she didn’t belong backstage. And she didn’t belong with a man like me, for sure. But I didn’t let that stop me from seeing just how far she was willing to go to keep up her little naughty girl charade. And if she had something to prove, why not prove it with me?
Salvation Jones was not like the rest of her family. In a parcel of toe-the-line, conservative preacher’s kids, she stood out like a piece of her costume jewelry at the Inaugural Ball.
I must have had a far-sighted stork reading the directions for my delivery. I was louder than they were. More boisterous. I got into more trouble. I’d heard, “Oh,Salvation,” in my mom’s disappointed voice for so long I began to think the O stood for Olivia, or something. It’s not like I meant to misbehave, but it just came naturally to me. I’d tried to be who they wanted; now it was time for me to truly be myself. They say, “Go big or go home,” so why not start out by seducing a rock star? And not just any rock star, the luscious, womanizing Jericho Tyler. Now that was somebody worth sinning for!
Sometimes it takes a bad boy to redeem a good girl. But will she become his Salvation in the end?
I want to start this review with paraphrasing a quote I saw somewhere, “The Love and Chaos series is M.J. Schiller’s way of rocking one fan at a time”. I can testify that each book in this series definitely ‘rocked me’. I’m officially a huge fan of M.J. Schiller and of her “Love and Chaos series”. Technically, each can be read as a standalone, but I’m biased after reading all four. I simply can’t recommend just reading one. That would be like eating one buttery piece of popcorn – impossible. Many people binge watch Netflix. Not me. I binge read, and I guarantee one day I’m going binge read this series now that I have them all.
Rock of Salvation is the fourth and final book in this series. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. It was finally Jericho’s turn to be the hero. Excuse me while I breathe with short, quick breaths, from my excitement over Jericho. Getting to know his character launched butterflies in my stomach multiple times. His stage personality was just that, ‘staged’. The real Jericho was just so “froggy”. When you read the story, you’ll get that innuendo. My speechlessness over Jericho is genuine. Just know that he is a rockstar that has a reputation and is performing when he’s on stage, and then, there is Jericho, the man. The real Jericho is to die for.
I can’t stop smiling as I am now about to talk about the heroine, Salvation Jones. Yes, that is her real name. Of all the character possibilities that M.J. Schiller could have chosen to create for Jericho, she chose a preacher’s daughter. I couldn’t believe it. Yet it was perfectly designed and masterfully executed. My face muscles hurt from smiling. Jericho and Salvation were complete polar opposites and yet they weren’t. The only way to describe them is to compare them to kettle popcorn. One is sweet and one is salty but when you put them together, they are delicious. I read this book in one day because I literally couldn’t stop reading it.
I got to know Jericho and Salvation’s families. Jericho’s was loving, funny and friendly. Salvation’s family fit the stereotypical ‘preacher family’. Some people suggest that there is a “preacher’s kid syndrome”, in which children of clergy reject religion and the church. This view is seen as a stereotype. I’m not debating that thought process one way or another but it’s one of my favorite plots. If you like the movies: Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Grease, Pretty in Pink, and Sixteen Candles, then you understand what I’m trying to explain.
Plot and theme are commonly confused. The plot is the sequence of events in the story. The theme is the message the author is trying to convey. In this book and the previous books in the series, I think the author did an excellent job creating plots that carried the theme of being redeemed and getting second chances. In this story, the hero, Jericho, was a prime example of being redeemed; and the heroine, Salvation, was appropriately named.
Like I said before, technically Rock of Salvation can be read as a standalone. However, Jericho is part of a rock band and in the previous books in the series each member had their own romance story. The rock band, Just Short of Chaos, is their own family unit. Therefore, when I read a story in this series, I feel like I’m part of the family unit. Just like in real life when one person in a family unit gets married the family grows. It has been an honor to be part of this rock group’s community and see them grow and develop.
As I said in the second paragraph, all good things must come to an end but at least I can reread this series as many times as I want to. I hope others will pick up this book and the others before it. It’s an awesome ride! Happy Reading.
Geo by Topher Allen
Geo by Topher Allen
Publisher: Outside Voice Publishing
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by AstilbeGolem’s Hollow, the crystal city. For a rock like Geo, the beautifully familiar spires are the perfect place to be. They’re the only place to be. But what lies beyond the underground metropolis?
Geo always had questions, and ready or not, this is his chance for answers. Things didn’t go quite as planned, now he and his friends are stranded in a distant wilderness. It’s the adventure he always wanted. But survival is not guaranteed. Bizarre creatures roam these endless wilds dotted with odd, abandoned structures. What else is going on out here? Why does no one else dare to ask?
Unknown worlds are rarely safe and never predictable.
Adventures can be found anywhere.
The world building was well done, especially when it came to describing how Geo’s society was wildly different from anything humans have thought of for themselves. This showed up in subtle ways like the characters saying “for peat’s sake” instead of “for Pete’s sake,” but it also demonstrated to the audience cultural differences between rocks and humans that I never would have thought about in advance. Those moments are really best left for each reader to discover for themselves due to how surprising and wonderful they were. I don’t want to spoil any surprises!
There were some pacing issues. They were especially noticeable in the first third of this book which dampened my enthusiasm to keep reading even though I was highly interested in the idea of sentient rocks when I began. Unfortunately, the storyline moved so slowly in the beginning that it was a struggle for me to continue reading. It would have been nice to have more action in these scenes.
With that being said, my interest levels did increase again once Geo and his friends began their exciting adventure in the world outside of Golem’s Hollow, the crystal city where they lived. It’s one thing to see how rocks live on their home turf, but it’s quite another to see how they react to an unfamiliar and sometimes a little frightening outside world. Their reactions to these events renewed my interest in these characters even as I continued to wish the plot itself could move along a bit faster.
Geo was a creative adventure that should be read by anyone who has ever wondered what it might be like to be a rock.
The Runaways by Brenda Barnes Clark
The Runaways by Brenda Barnes Clark
Publisher: RBC Books
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Paranormal, Action/Adventure, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Review ed by AstilbeWhat if Penny, an abused pony at a 1946 West Virginia county fair, runs away to eleven-year-old Billie Rose Tackett?
What if, through “think-speak,” Penny tells Billie that she was stolen and did not belong to the carnival or the horrible, terrible pony ride keeper? How can Billie prove the theft when no one in their right mind would believe that a horse speaks? In her quest to save Penny, Billie and Penny show amazing courage and tenacity to overcome seemingly impossible, life-threatening situations. In this fast-paced adventure story, Billie grows in confidence as she deals with prejudice, disability, bullying, family loss, compassion, and forgiveness while doing whatever it takes to save the runaway pony.
Empathy makes the world a better place.
The pacing was perfect. I ended up reading far longer than I was intending to because I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page or wait to see what happened next. There simply wasn’t a good time to take a break. That’s the sort of writing I love to see, and it makes this first-time reader eager to see what Ms. Barnes Clark might come up with next. She couldn’t have made a better first impression with me.
Billie lost some of her hearing as a result of an infection she had as a child. The scenes describing her memories of that illness and how it affected her life as well as the lives of her mother and sister were written beautifully, and I’m saying that as someone who lives with a person who is hard of hearing. It’s rare to find characters who have partial hearing loss but who can still hear certain tones, so I was thrilled to see this topic covered here.
Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that included the mind reading between Billie and Penny. The paranormal elements of their adventures were subtle but unmistakable. That suited these characters nicely, and I enjoyed coming up with my own theories about why they could communicate telepathically. Not everything needs to be fully explained in a tale like this one, especially when there was so much else going on in their lives simultaneously.
I appreciated how descriptive this book was about everything from the physical appearances of the characters to what their homes, barns, gardens, and other settings looked like. The author did a wonderful job of fleshing out the world she was describing, and I found it easy to close my eyes and picture everything in my mind. What made this even better was how seamlessly she included all of the details in the storyline. The pacing of the plot never needed to slow down in order for her to describe all of the little but important details that created such a memorable read.
The Runaways was an exciting adventure that I’d wholeheartedly recommend to adults just as much as to the middle grade audience it was originally intended for!
Scandals of Tokyo by Heather Hallman
Scandals of Tokyo by Heather Hallman
(Tokyo Whispers, #1)
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by ChamomileIn the Foreign Quarter of Tsukiji, Tokyo, Japan, Victorian England is alive and well. Manners and etiquette are as valuable as gossip and deceit. Men are more rakish than ever – so far from home, societal rules seemed to be relaxed. But courting young women still requires a deft hand, a smart wit, and a man with something to offer.
INTERNATIONAL SCANDAL
Intent on being an international journalist of repute, Evelyn Prescott will do what it takes to make her mark.
It doesn’t hurt her father has built a newspaper empire, but finding a scandal in Japan is no easy task.
As much as she hates to admit it, she is forced to meet with the owner of the Tokyo Daily News, Ned Taylor, also an Englishman.
Ned holds a deep-rooted dislike of Evelyn’s father’s approach to journalism, and Ned, a notorious rake, pushes her to see just how far Evelyn is prepared to go to get her story.
Evelyn Prescott is intent on being a famous international journalist, yet she may have bitten off more than she can chew!
In this prequel, we meet the young journalist, Evlyn Prescott. She’s finally left home and must find a worthy story to make her mark. Yet, when she finds herself face to face with the handsome, Ned Taylor, who just so happens to own Tokyo Daily News and is her biggest rival! Oh year, did I mention his devilishly good looks and his known reputation as a rake?
While this to the series intro is a short prequel, sparks fly! This young couple is an interesting match, and I loved seeing them finally pair off after learning of Evelyn’s family business and knowing Ned owns the Tokyo Daily News, her father’s biggest rival.
I loved meeting Ned, Evelyn, and others in this exciting introduction to this historical story set in Tokyo, Japan 1896. In addition to meeting this fun couple, we also meet Evelyn’s Aunt Prissy and another important character, Natsu who is also featured in Talk of Tokyo, book 2 in this series.
I read this one easily in one sitting, loved the ‘deal’ made between these two, and seeing how things played out for them! I look forward to seeing more of their story in the future!
As a romance, I’m sure you’re wondering, how steamy is this one? Seeing as this prequel is only right around three chapters, the tension between the characters is mostly limited to flirty banter and a good dose of sensual tension. There is one instance where these thoughts do see our alluring yet untouchable Ned having a detailed and heated fantasy-dream that ends on a spicier note! It’s also suggested that their story isn’t over yet, and that more heated scenes are to come for these two, and other couples in the series!
I enjoyed getting to meet these characters and getting a taste for the setting and what’s to come in this series! The next installment features another reporter hinted about in this story, along with another character talked about but not yet introduced here. Seeing how this story leads up to that one, and knowing a bit of the background and how Ned and Evelyn fit into the plot has me excited for more of Hallman’s Tokyo Whispers series!
The Order of Time Series by Scott P. Southall – Q&A and Giveaway
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
What would we find under your bed?
“What wouldn’t you find under your bed?” That is probably a better question given the fact that it’s a king-sized bed and my wife does not like a cluttered bedroom. There is luggage under there, an extra comforter, a guitar, my wife’s wedding dress, wooden clothes hangers, and a plastic bag full of throw pillows. That’s just the stuff I can identify without a flashlight.
What was the scariest moment of your life?
I think the scariest moment in my life was the birth of my son. He was born premature and initially struggled with his breathing. It was terrifying for my wife and I to feel powerless to help someone you love so fundamentally. Luckily we had great doctors and he came through everything with flying colors. Hard to believe he is about to turn 9 now.
Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
I do pop in my AirPods to help me zone out while I am writing. Most of the time it’s something mellow that serves as background noise so I don’t end up singing instead of writing. Some jazz like Janet Seidel or Melody Gardot works really well. That being said I don’t mind a little country music if I’m in the mood either. I think it must be because most country songs are little stories in themselves.
What is something you’d like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
I am planning to launch audio books next year when The Order of Time and Odin’s Door is released which I am really excited about. I initially shied away from the idea because it didn’t fit with my old school ideas of reading. While many people still gravitate towards traditional hardbacks or paperbacks, ebooks and audio books are here to stay. Audio books also make a huge amount of sense for kids while they are in the car. I would also prefer my kids to be listening to stories and stretching their imagination as opposed to watching iPads.
How long did it take you to write this book?
The first draft of The Order of Time and Odin’s Door took about eight months to write across two different blocks of time. Most of my writing happens at night after the kids are asleep which generally limits me to a maximum of two hours a night. This book started well and I knocked out the first one hundred pages pretty quickly. I hit a wall when my job responsibilities expanded and I didn’t write at all for four or five months. Once things normalized I was able to reintegrate writing into my schedule and finished the rest of the draft. Editing took another few months. End to end it was probably ten months of night time work to complete.
About the Series
Picture two twelve-year-old fraternal twins who are like night and day. She is a smart and highly organised MMA fighter. He’s not a fighter, he’s a lover of history, art and Star Wars. Despite their differences they are one formidable team. Together Anastasia and Edward Upston travel through time and navigate ancient civilisations, angry gods and mythical monsters in their quest to protect the integrity of human history.
About The Order of Time
Anastasia and Edward Upston are eleven year old twins who are different in almost every way. Despite this they are inseparable and he best of friends. They tackle the highs and lows of sixth grade together whether they are fending off bullies at the elite Blake Academy or examining rare antiquities at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Then: life gets complicated.
They discover that their friend and mentor, Dr. Gregorian, is part of a secret society called the Order of Time. It turns out that time is not fixed, it’s a fluid continuum where changes to the past can create ripples all the way through to the present. It unwittingly falls to the twins to travel back through time to ancient Egypt where they must overcome deadly assassins, evil high priests and vengeful gods in order to prevent disaster. Together Anastasia and Edward must navigate all obstacles to preserve the past and find their way back home.
About The Order of Time and Odin’s Door
The orange light bathed the snow-covered fields as the fiery globe began to dip below the horizon. It was strange that something so beautiful could signal the arrival of something so evil. One thing twelve-year-old twins Anastasia and Edward Upston knew for sure was that when mortals were caught between two bickering gods nothing good would come of it. Surviving the Viking Age may be the hardest thing they ever do, if they can…
Enjoy an Excerpt from The Order of Time
They started to leave when the room suddenly lit up with a strange purple light coming from under a closet door.
“Why is the closet glowing?” asked Edward, his voice trailing up an octave. “Maybe we should get out of here.”
“What if Dr. G’s in there? You know he always locks his door, but it was open tonight. Maybe he’s still here. He might need our help,” Anastasia said emphatically.
The light was getting brighter by the second. Now Edward could also hear a low humming noise.
“Stop being crazy, Anastasia! This is the part in the movies where you yell at the screen for the characters not to open the door. We are not going to open that door.”
“I’m not being crazy. If Dr. G is in there and needs help, we’ll never forgive ourselves.”
Edward looked at her pleadingly, but she wasn’t giving in. His shoulders slumped in defeat. Oh god, please don’t let there be a monster or anything really scary in there. Anastasia dragged him over to the closet door. The light pouring out around the cracks was incredibly bright and the humming was getting louder. She gripped the large, brass doorknob, took a breath, and opened the door.
About the Author:
Scott is an American author and banking executive who lives in Sydney, Australia. He grew up in the suburbs of Washington D.C. and attended Georgetown University. While he loves his job as a global banker, his true passion is making up stories with his children. His debut novel, The Order of Time, reached #1 in its category on Amazon and was the 2021 Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Children’s – Mythology/Fairy Tale genre.
The book is on sale for $0.99 during the tour at Amazon.
Island Charm by Audrey Wick
Island Charm by Audrey Wick
Publisher: White Rose Publishing/Pelican Book Group
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Review by MistflowerAn imposter in paradise
When Anna Worthington’s twin sister gets jilted by her fiancé, Anna steps in with a plan for a girls’ Key West getaway instead of a honeymoon trip. Yet when her twin has her own crisis of commitment and doesn’t board the plane, Anna finds herself on a romantic getaway that she’s forced to navigate alone.
A vacation romance with an expiration date
Gunnar Lockhart, whose specialty is island tourism, is the perfect match for helping Anna complete her vacation bucket list, but time together forges a connection more personal than either anticipate. As they make island memories, Anna has to untangle her mixed emotions. Are her feelings toward Gunnar real? Or like her sister’s wedding day, has this connection been doomed from the start?
Audrey Wick’s writing style is charming. She has a way of bringing her stories to life. This story takes place mostly in Key West which I’ve been to a few times. I can testify to the magic and lifestyle of the Keys. I live in Florida and the Keys is its own entity. While reading this story I felt like Audrey Wick captured the distinction of Key West.
I consider a romance book to be a work of art. I don’t have the skills to write a book, but I thoroughly enjoy reading them. There could not be a more appropriate or better title for this book, Island Charm. As I write this review, I’m thinking deeply and carefully about Island Charm’s subject matter. I feel it necessary to share with you the definition of charm. “Charm (noun) is the power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration. (Verb) delight greatly”. This leads me directly to the hero.
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The above definition of charm can be applied to the hero, Gunner. He was definitely filled with charm. What do I mean? I mean that Gunner was friendly and pleasant to those that he came in contact with. He made it impossible for anyone to not like him. Gunner loved giving back to his community and working at an information booth in the Keys was one way he could do that. I would go as far to say that Gunner had a special and unique charm that set him apart from other men.
I could completely see how the heroine, Anna, was captivated by Gunner’s appealing features, mannerisms and characteristics. I for one fell for his compassionate heart. Gunner’s interaction with an elderly man name named Jack demonstrated Gunner’s desire to serve others.
The heroine is a kind soul as well. Anna’s love for her sister and family is heartwarming and inspirational.
The romance between Anna and Gunner is sweet and inspiring. Not only was I entertained but I was encouraged as well. Anna and Gunner were both going through the struggle of living through the consequences of somebody else’s choices. I think that is the reality of life for many people. I know my life has been impacted by circumstances that I have had no control over. This story gave me hope.
My interest was captured from page one, and I was engaged in the plot and romance until the last page. The story’s pace flowed smoothly and flawlessly. I found only one bone to pick, that being the fact that Gunner and Anna never exchanged phone numbers. In this day and age of texting, I found that glaringly odd, however that didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.
I always appreciate a book that ends with an epilogue. After the epilogue, Island Charm surprised me with a “Devotional Moment” and a cooking recipe that was relevant to the story. I didn’t realize that White Rose Publishing/Pelican Book Group was known for writing inspirational stories. I’ll have to look into that further. The subject matter in this story all makes sense now. My Christian mother and sister would appreciate this uplifting romance story. You don’t have to be a Godly person to read and enjoy this romance but those who are, will have an additional reason to appreciate this book.
This is not my first Audrey Wick story, and it won’t be my last. I searched the internet and couldn’t find anything mentioning a next book in the series. I would greatly appreciate a book two that found a happily ever after for Anna’s sister, Brie. I would totally read that.
I definitely would encourage romance readers, including all my friends and family, to check out Island Charm, especially if they are looking for a relaxing beach read. I would absolutely pack this book in my beach or pool bag and read it again.
