Books · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

My Review of Wings of Darkness: Book 1 of the Immortal Sorrows by Sherri A. Wingler

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Over the last year I have read some phenomenal books by Indie Authors, books that made me laugh till my sides hurt, cry real tears & books that were addictive.

A friend of mine recommended this book to me a long time ago and I picked it up on my kindle in March where it has sat with so many others on my TBR list.

I finally decided it was time to read it. It isn’t generally a genre I read but I am open to all genres. The cover appealed and I liked the sound of it. The moment I opened this book I was dragged in minus the kicking and screaming.

The prologue pulls you in from the first word. I can’t really put an example on here otherwise I would have to copy and paste the whole prologue.

Izzy is a young American girl who is involved in an accident and although she meets the Angel of Death it is not her time to die. What Asher (Angel of Death) does is unheard of and it changes her life forever as it does his existence.

I loved this book from the beginning to the end, if I could give it more than 5 stars I would. The flow was strong throughout. There was excitement and edge of your seat drama and quieter moments as the author allowed you to really get to know the characters. Not only was Izzy and Asher extremely well developed by the other characters, Gwen & Grim and all the other bit players.

It is fantasy but I believed it. I lived it and I can only say thank God I have book two to start straight away.

There is nothing about this book that I think didn’t work or could be improved on. I can’t wait to finish leaving this review and getting a few tedious chores out of the way so I can read Book Two: Wings of Shadow.

Note to author: Please have book three finished within the week I can’t wait any longer.

Books

My Review of The Lake of Lilies by Julia Sutton

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A thoroughly enjoyable read. The main character, Lisa Reynolds, is a likeable and believable woman who is a witness to a scene that ends in a murder which changes Lisa’s life.

There is a lot of description which keeps you on the edge of your seat as you wonder what might happen. It is a beautiful story of love and loss.

I wanted to keep reading, picking it up each day was a pleasure.

My only real issues were that there were too many speech tags that became distracting and slightly annoying but not enough to put me off reading. I think removing some of these could make the book stronger.

Without wanting to give anything away, I also felt that the resolution was a packaged a little too neatly. It was reminiscent of a 70’s or 80’s crime shows. I think it could have benefitted from a little more grit at this point.

Overall I loved immersing myself in this book and the lives of the characters. I look forward to seeing what this talented author writes next.

Books

My review of Retail Therapy – Colette Kebell

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This is a lovely, easy to read book which I devoured in almost one sitting. I loved the premise of the story, the overall flow of the story.

The characters from the start were likeable and believable. The friendship between Gigi & Ritchie is lovely “He’s also my sponsor. I’m on the path to recovery from spending too much on clothes.”

This book contains humour sprinkled throughout the book.

My only quibbles would be that the ending seemed rushed and I felt as though more development was needed around the character Johnny to justify what happened.  That was the only thing stopping me from giving this book 5 stars.

I am looking forward to moving onto Miss Kebell’s next book which luckily for me has already been written so I don’t have to wait long. I just need to remove a few from my TBR list already on my kindle.

Books

My review of Cross Stitch- Amanda James

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So this is the second book I have read by this author and it did not disappoint. This book leads on from A Stitch in Time.

We enter Sarah Yates’ world again in this book. I did wonder how this book could be different from the first one, would it be more of Sarah’s adventures which would have been fine as I thoroughly enjoyed them in the first book. Ms. James introduced an unexpected complication into this book when Sarah meets a woman in 1930’s London who makes her life and her time travelling more complex. Their destiny’s are entwined and woven beautifully together.

Another fantastic read. Hope you are writing Ms. James I want more.

Books · Uncategorized

My Review of Missing Gretyl by Simon Page

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This is a lovely story that contains some lively and interesting characters. The book is a comedy and while maybe the humour wasn’t fully to my taste and didn’t make me LOL but I did smile a lot. I enjoyed this book that explores the flaws in people’s characters and teaches you not to judge a book by the cover (i.e the characters). Sometimes you have to come close to losing what you value most so that you can remember why you love someone – this book does this well. The author has a great imagination and I look forward to seeing where it goes in his next book.

Books · Uncategorized

My Review: The Religion of the Heart by D.M Miller

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http://www.amazon.co.uk/Religion-Heart-D-M-Miller-ebook/dp/B015RYHZ8S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1449165737&sr=1-1&keywords=the+religion+of+the+heart

 

This book is a story of love that spans over a decade for a boy and a girl who are instantly attracted to each other despite the hurdles they face such as religion, culture and miles of separation they hold true to the dream.

When Abdul tries to talk to Catherine in English when he realises that she doesn’t speak Arabic he can’t remember a word that he has learned. I loved that little touch, I could picture the poor boy’s discomfort.

A beautiful phrase in the book that I loved: Time forgot to hurry, creeping by at the pace of a blustery Alaskan winter.

I would have likes to have seen a little bit more of this kind of description.

Abdul is a young man who is weighed down and browbeaten by his family to bend to their will – I kind of thought that Catherine did the same to him. It felt as though the majority of compromises were made by him. Both characters were highly emotional and if I’m honest maybe too much for my personal taste, but that’s just me. It was a lovely tale and it was easy to read.

Books · Uncategorized

My Review of: Ties that Bind by E.R Chissick

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I could barely put this book down. The author has spun a story of love, betrayal, joy and pain with consummate skill. The characters are 100% believable and relatable. I caught my breath on a number of occasions as I found myself rooting for them. The story flows well and the pace is natural all the way through. I loved the different layers in this book and how the author had me on my toes the whole time never sure where it would go and what would happen. My only issue (minor) would be the overuse of certain objects such as the Cherry Coke Lip Balm and to a lesser degree the Classic Corvette. I do also think while the sex scenes were incredibly well written it could have benefitted from cutting out a couple of the scenes. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author.

Books · Uncategorized

John Sharpe No. 1,348

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Alice in Wonderland meets Oliver Twist collides with The Hobbit.
Right from the first sentence a smile lit up my face: John had his head in the oven and his arse in the air when the man appeared out of nowhere, unfurling like a woodlouse coming out of hiding.
I laughed my way through this book sometimes out loud and in public. If you like books to be serious this book isn’t for you. If, however, you enjoy humour I would highly recommend that you dip in and indulge.
At first the little asides in brackets appeared to be a little clunky but then as I read on I realised that they were actually the humour of a very creative, intelligent brain and these became some of the LOL moments.
The author weaves the story with skill and beautiful phraseology: The voice was gnarled and knotted like tree roots.
The visuals she creates are exceptional: He was somewhat disappointed not to see clocks or skeletons or shoes, or indeed any other random objects floating by, like they did in films – you know, when the intrepid heroes go back in time or through mysterious tunnels – just like that, only it wasn’t.
This story also has a deeper message hidden within the pages and the humour. Read it and discover for yourself what that message is.
I will definitely be reading more by this author.

Books · Self-publishing

777 Challenge

 

I was tagged today by DM Miller for the 777 Challenge. I am certainly up for a challenge and this one is far easier than the ice bucket and half marathon challenges.

DM is the author of The Religion of the Heart 

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Catherine and Abdul come from two opposing worlds. She is raised in the Judeo-Christian West, while he comes from a Muslim family in Egypt. Their first meeting is little more than a fleeting moment, but it sparks over a decade-long desperation and agonizing battle to be together. Incompatible religions, distinct cultures and hot-tempered families vowing to keep them apart are the overwhelming hurdles they face, and reality hits once mysteries are solved and the fairytale beginning fades away. They are left with difficult decisions as they determine how important their respective religions are and whether or not the Muslim culture can mesh with the West. Can an enduring yet taboo love conquer all when conflicting religions are duking it out, or will threatening roadblocks stand in the way?

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1PO6IS6

The Challenge

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So the idea is that I take seven sentences from the seventh line of the seventh page from my newest book or work in progress (WIP)

I will be using my WIP – My novel Is This Love?

Theo & Gemma meet on a night out, after an instant attraction and the evening spent getting to know each other they face the moment when the night draws to a close:

A catfight broke out between two girls who’d had too much to drink. Two policemen separated them as clumps of peroxide hair came away in the taller girl’s hands. Skirts the size of belts hung askew and beer-stained tops rode high up flabby midriffs. Hair coiffed to within an inch of perfection at the beginning of the night was now lank, while makeup ran down their faces, and they screamed abuse at each other.

“Come back with me?” Theo whispered.

Every inch of my body screamed to go. I’ve come here to spend the weekend with Chris.

Hope you enjoyed it. Gemma and Theo will be coming to an Amazon Kindle near you soon. 🙂

I now need to tag 7 authors in this to take part:

Rose English is the author of One Breath

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The rainbow had vanished, swept away behind a great sweeping of grey clouds. The air was still fresh and fragrant from the afternoon April shower, when for a time the sun had peeked through cotton candy clouds. Dorothea magically produced a tiny retractable umbrella, from her coat pocket, just as the first drop of rain fell. Albert always marvelled at her ability to be prepared for any event, she was his beautiful and intelligent petite little Dotty. The rain started gently, in spits and spats but the heavy laden clouds were being whipped up into a frenzy. As little Dotty opened the brolly a sudden gust of wind shot through, and flipped it inside out.

The couple began to laugh as they struggled together to right the umbrella, whilst standing in the middle of a sodden, damp country lane. The rain was now pouring; it fell heavily, quickly soaking them through to the bone. They didn’t hear the car approaching, what with the wind, whipping round them and both wrangling with the now useless item, still clenched between them.

Then it was too late.

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1j19HMS

2. Tanya Jones-Thibodeau is the author of Dreams of Beautiful Whisper

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When Amanda learns that the gorgeous beauty-boy of her disturbingly life-like dreams is in fact an elven warrior from her past, things get complicated. But shortly after being urgently moved back to the village where she was born, well things just got weird.

WHO IS SHE?
AMANDA, A HIGH-SCHOOL GIRL WITH A BOYFRIEND SHE INTENDS TO EVENTUALLY MARRY? or
AMANAE, A POWERFUL ELF WITH A SOUL-MATE FOR ETERNITY?

As the haze of her blocked past lifts, the truth of who she is, what she must endure and how it will change her peaceful human life forever, threaten to be more than she can handle. Even with her practical approach to challenges, the reassurance of her boyfriend Jordan and the encouraging support of an entire elven kingdom, will Amanda have the strength and skill to fulfill her destiny?

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1QLrkuj

3. CJ Rutherford is the author of Souls of the Never (and more)

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Katheryne thinks she’s just a normal 20-year-old, until her dreams descend into terror and pain.
At the edge of the universe, an ancient evil awakens. It wants into our world; and it’s coming through her.
As the dreams become reality, Katheryne is pitched into a battle that has raged for thousands of years. The fate of all reality rests in her hands.

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1WyOrvS

4. Colette Kebell is the author of The Retail Therapist (and more)

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Window shopping! Don’t you just hate the term?
It is like going into a sweet shop and not being able to buy anything, or not knowing what to buy first. That is exactly my line of business, helping people make the right choice.
I’m one of those fashion consultants that are so popular nowadays amongst the upper crust, although I started ages ago. Choosing the right clothes for the right occasion is not an easy task: the dress has to match your personality and, if it can, enhance it.
This story is about how I abandoned the rat race, spending days in a legal office, and followed my dream of becoming a fashion consultant. I believe I’m something more though, I’m a Retail Therapist and I’m sure you are itching to know the story about how I started and how I helped my clients look fabulous! So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up, click that “buy” button up there and be prepared to enter the mysterious world of a Berkshire Retail Therapist girl.

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1P5VSbO

5. M.B Feeney is the author of Right Click, Love (and more)

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Disheartened about not being able to find “Mr. Right” on the London dating scene, best friends Jodie Lynch and Louise Hewson create a blog to not only document their disastrous dates with the numerous “Mr. Wrongs” and “Mr. Okay-for-nows” but also to help those going through the same experiences and to see where they’re going wrong. How will they deal with everything the dating scene has to throw at them — planned or otherwise?

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1POcYJu

6. J.C Clarke is the author of Fragile (and more)

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Deep down I enjoyed this life, it was fun seeing the different towns. Seven months on the road, five months back at the yard. Day in, day out. Nothing changed except the weather and the accents of the fair-goers.

Until tonight. That’s when I see you standing there, looking back at me when my eyes find you. Even in the dimming light of the day and the harsh flashing bulbs, I see you blush before you look down, looking anywhere except back at me. A smirk creeps onto my face with my thoughts: you look beautiful in your baggy jeans and vest top.

The light captures your black hair shielding your face. I know I need to grab a shower before I head into the pay box, but I can’t seem to tear myself away from watching you.

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1hbpxCz

7. Kathleen McGurl is the author of The Pearl Locket (and more)

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When Ali inherits her great-aunt’s house she immediately moves her whole family in, despite the warnings that there is something strange about the place.

Unfazed Ali begins redecorating, going through the rooms, making each one her own with the help of her daughter, Kelly. But when under the wallpaper in Kelly’s new room they discover a scrawled message from 1944 Ali begins to question the history of the house as she knows it.

Her family has always seemed so picture perfect, not a blemish or a secret to be found. Yet, this discovery throws her into confusion and Ali begins to question exactly what she knows about her family and the mysteries they have kept hidden…

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1FILWTt