The Haunting of Maddy Clare #BookReview / Speculative Fiction Worth Reading

Here's the synopsis:

Sarah Piper's lonely, threadbare existence changes when her temporary agency sends her to assist a ghost hunter. Alistair Gellis-rich, handsome, scarred by World War I, and obsessed with ghosts- has been summoned to investigate the spirit of nineteen-year-old maid Maddy Clare, who is haunting the barn where she committed suicide. Since Maddy hated men in life, it is Sarah's task to confront her in death. Soon Sarah is caught up in a deperate struggle. For Maddy's ghost is real, she's angry, and she has powers that defy all reason. Can Sarah and Alistair's assistant, the rough, unsettling Matthew Ryder, discover who Maddy was, where she came from, and what is driving her desire for vengeance—before she destroys them all?

My thoughts:

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James is a fascinating ghost story combined with a compelling mystery. The ghost of Maddy doesn't simply go bump in the night. She throws things, destroys, and most frightening of all, possesses the minds of the living.

Maddy arrived at the Clare house seven years earlier. She was bruised, covered in mud, and wearing nothing but her underclothes. She was also unable to speak. All attempts to discover where she came from were met with silence. No one from neighboring houses or villages reported a missing twelve-year-old girl. The Clares gave the troubled girl work as a maid and she lived with them until her suicide. Maddy's ghost communicates with Sarah and demands that Sarah find her grave. This makes no sense to the ghost-hunters because Maddy is buried in a marked grave in the church cemetery. As the mystery of Maddy's past unravels, a shocking and horrific crime comes to light and a ghost seeks revenge.

Set in rural England in the early 1920s, the ghosts of World War I haunt the characters almost as much as Maddy's ghost. St. James tells the story from Sarah's perspective and the novel feels similar to the Bess Crawford mysteries. Sarah and Matthew develop a romantic relationship, which becomes graphic at times, but the romance does not get in the way of the very compelling ghost story. The novel's pacing is good although I think the characters are a bit slow to figure out Maddy's story once they uncover the major clues. If you like ghost stories and you like historical fiction set in the World War I era, you should give The Haunting of Maddy Clare a read.

TitanBorn by Rhett C. Bruno #BookReview / Speculative Fiction Worth Reading #SciFi

Here's the synopsis:

Malcolm Graves lives by two rules: finish the job, and get paid. After thirty years as a Collector, chasing bounties and extinguishing rebellions throughout the solar system, Malcolm does what he's told, takes what he's earned, and leaves the questions to someone else--especially when it comes to the affairs of offworlders. 

But his latest mission doesn't afford him that luxury. After a high-profile bombing on Earth, the men who sign Malcolm's paychecks are clamoring for answers. Before he can object, the corporation teams him up with a strange new partner who's more interested in statistics than instinct and ships them both off to Titan, the disputed moon where humans have been living for centuries. Their assignment is to hunt down a group of extremists: Titanborn dissidents who will go to any length to free their home from the tyranny of Earth. 

Heading into hostile territory, Malcolm will have to use everything he's learned to stay alive. But he soon realizes that the situation on the ground is much more complex than he anticipated . . . and much more personal.



What'd I think? A highly recommended read. Honestly.

Malcolm reminded me of a soured, old-school detective, only he's a bounty hunter. Near the end of his career, he starts to question all he's done and why. His new partner gets in his way. More than ever Malcolm has to prove his worth to his employer.

Although I had a few issues with some of the planetary science on Titan especially, the story is entertaining enough to ignore the flaw. But that's the way I am. As long as the storytelling is fantastic, I can ignore all errors in exchange for great entertainment.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It's edgy yet harkens back to Heinlein and other great classic sci-fi authors. It's space opera. It's mystery. It's part cop story. Part detective. 

It's currently on preorder at Amazon.

Books Worth Reading: Check-Out Time by Mark Rigney

Back in April I had the good fortune to meet Mark Rigney at the Ohioana Book Festival. Mark was my table-mate, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner to help pass the time between book sales. I won't deny that there was quite a bit of time between book sales for me that day. ;)

It was great to meet a new friend and even better to discover that he is a super-talented author whose book I really enjoyed reading.

Check-Out Time features the characters of Reverend Renner and Dale Quist in their third adventure together. Renner is a fussy, peevish Unitarian minister and Quist is a gruff former linebacker and retired investigator. The narrative switches back and forth between the two characters and I honestly couldn't decide which one I liked better. Each time I would think Renner was my favorite, Quist would do something to change my mind. While they are an odd couple, they are both engaging and thoroughly enjoyable characters.

The story begins when Renner receives a spooky invitation to come to a long-demolished hotel in Columbus, Ohio. He can't resist going off in search of the sender. Despite the fact that the hotel no longer exists, Renner is able to enter it and soon encounters the ghosts of guests who stayed at the hotel during its luxurious heyday.

To Renner's dismay, the building is much harder to leave than it was to enter, and he finds himself trapped in a hotel that could give The Overlook a run for its money. Quist follows Renner to Columbus and works to save him, but the hotel has no intention of making that job easy.

In addition to loving the two main characters, I also loved the setting of Columbus. I went to college there and have fond memories of the place and an affection that continues to this day. I don't remember ever reading a book set in Columbus before so I enjoyed wandering the streets of the city with Quist as he tried to rescue Renner and bring him back to the physical world.

This is a creepy story that sent a shiver up my spine more than once, but it is also quite funny thanks to its two leads. I highly recommend it, and I look forward to reading the next Renner and Quist adventure.

Fantastic Speculative Fiction - This is Worth Reading: The Library by Amy Cross #paranormal #horror #fantasy

Once upon a time, there was a girl who wasn't a girl, and a book that wasn't a book... 

Kidnapped and taken to a huge, world-spanning library, Claire is shocked to discover the truth about her own life. Thrust into the heart of a battle for the library's fate, she quickly learns that the powerful Forbidders will stop at nothing in order to gain the one object they prize above all others.

 While the Forbidders wreak havoc, however, a great danger is edging closer. The darkness is reaching out across the void, threatening to destroy this world just as it has already destroyed countless others. As he tries to save the library, a tired soldier named Vanguard finally sees the truth and realizes that there's only one way for the library to be rescued from destruction.

I originally purchased this book on Smashwords, it's now only available on Amazon.

If you enjoyed Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman at all, I think you'd enjoy The Library. The story is dark and fantastic and fascinating.

It begins with Claire and her insomnia, a very powerful chapter that will dredge up every bout and feeling you've ever had with a sleepless night.

The POV alternates between her and a warrior of the Library, Vanguard. A stalwart champion who will not bend in more ways than one.

The library is a world that is a huge library containing every book ever written. It has a personality of its own and was amazing to explore as the characters move through its stacks on their quest to reach the center, the Citadel.

Ms. Cross kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. There were beings of all sorts, none of them friendly, occupying the library. Everyone had a motive at cross purposes of everyone else, which added up to great drama and conflict.

Except for the mood and tone reminding me somewhat of Neverwhere, The Library wasn't like anything else I've read. It was original, creative, fun, and definitely entertaining.

Amy Cross is quite prolific and writes horror paranormal fantasy. If you're looking for a different story that you can't predict how it will go or end, I highly recommend The Library.

Fantastic Speculative Fiction - This is Worth Reading: Our Beautiful Child by Annalisa Crawford

Annalisa Crawford is known for writing dark, character-driven stories that often include a touch of the paranormal. Our Beautiful Child is her latest and I think it is also her best.

Book Blurb:

“The Boathouse collects misfits. Strange solitary creatures that yearn for contact with the outside world, but not too much. They sit, glass in hand, either staring at the table in front of them, or at some distant point on the horizon.”

… so says the narrator of Our Beautiful Child. And he’s been around long enough to know.

People end up in this town almost by accident. Ella is running away from her nightmares, Sally is running away from the memories of previous boyfriends and Rona is running away from university. Each of them seek sanctuary in the 18th century pub, The Boathouse; but in fact, that’s where their troubles begin.

Ella finds love, a moment too late; Rona discovers a beautiful ability which needs refining before she gets hurt; and Sally meets the captivating Murray, who threatens to ruin everything.

Three women. Three stories. One pub.

My review:

Each of the three stories in Our Beautiful Child is creepy, eerie, and totally engaging. As I read through the book (in one sitting - I couldn't put it down!)  I couldn't figure out how the stories were all going to come together and I also couldn't understand the significance of the title. When it all became clear in the end I felt a chill go up my spine at the same time the light bulb went off in my head. These are very dark stories that manage to also be both touching and heartbreaking. Crawford is a brilliantly talented writer and I look forward to reading whatever she comes up with next.

Fantastic Speculative Fiction - This is Worth Reading: The Accidental Prophetess by Michelle Lam

Natalie Richards (27) knows how to make a video go viral. It's her job, after all. But when she's fired over her latest video -- an ad for dish soap, of all things -- she complains. Loudly. In public. It's not her fault that those words were written down decades earlier. Within minutes she's abducted, whisked underground, and proclaimed to be a long-lost prophet destined to save the world.

The threats against world peace are real. But then again, so is the need to breathe fresh air and have a decent haircut. Not to mention the two deliciously handsome men that seem to have secrets of their own. A cult is a cult, no matter how sexy the head of security might be ... right?


Review: This book is a fun mashup of genres with a secret society and fantasy thrown in. Sort of like Cher from Clueless runs into a society of Batmen in Central Park. It was quirky, adventurous, and original. Most of all, this book made me laugh out loud, a lot.


It starts with Natalie being abducted. It's very intense. Then we find out she was abducted because she is this secret society's long-lost prophet. She became the prophet by speaking the secret words.


How she copes with her new role and the secret society is often hilarious. There are romantic elements, but it's not a romance. It's a wacky adventure in which our hero comes out as a better person at the end. The plot is unpredictable, and I had no idea where the author was taking me. My favorite kind of ride. I absolutely loved it. I hope Micihelle Lam keeps writing.


The Accidental Prophetess is available from Amazon

What's On Your Nightstand?

Besides a bookmark, a flash drive, a bottle of water, a box of Moon Drops (helps relieve occasional sleeplessness by soothing the mind and easing you into a natural sleep) and a cup of coffee, I have a rotating pile of books on my nightstand. It's the overflow from my headboard, which is stuffed with books, as well.

So I thought I'd share what I'm reading right now from the books on my nightstand. Did I mention that I read more than one book at a time? I'm not sure this is normal, but I just go with whatever I'm in the mood for.

• First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones. It is freaking hilarious! Charley (short for Charlotte) Davidson is a PI and just happens to be the grim reaper. I was hooked when Charley shows up at a murder scene to investigate. The dead guy is scared so his spirit refuses to leave his body. He just peeks out now and then to see what's going on. So Charley kicks the body and says something like, "Dude, get out of there. You're dead." Of course a police officer witnesses her kicking a dead body and then everyone knows how weird Charley is. Okay, you had to be there. But really. It's a fun read.

• Opening Heaven's Door, Investigating Stories of Life, Death, and What Comes After by Patricia Pearson. Like it sounds, it's the study of what happens to the dying with some pretty cool stories mixed in. I like the one where the terminally ill 80 year old lady says she's been sitting and talking to her son who'd been dead for twenty years. Whether you believe or not, it's some pretty interesting stuff. I have to take it in small doses, though. It's not the sort of book I'd read cover to cover all at once.

• Break Out! by Joel Osteen. I haven't actually started this one yet, but I've read other books by Osteen (It's Your Time) which I really enjoyed. He's the modern day Norman Vincent Peale (The Power of Positive Thinking). He always has positive things to say and is so encouraging. I like the fact that he has a multimillion dollar mega-church that he doesn't take a penny from. Instead, he makes his income through writing books. It's another sort of book that I take my time with. A few pages at a time to mull and ponder over what he's said.

• If You Want To Walk On Water You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat by John Ortberg. I'm about halfway through this book. It's basically a metaphor about having faith and stepping outside your comfort zone. It's religious in nature, of course, with the basis in Peter walking across the wind-swept Sea of Galilee toward Jesus. Walking on water takes faith. "It was Peter's willingness to risk failure that helped him to grow." The metaphor is a little overdone at times, but he has some good things to say. This is another book that I take in small doses, a couple of pages at a time. Some things just need pondering.

• Before The Poison by Peter Robinson. I'm halfway through. I've read tons of Peter Robinson's books. You might know him better by his DCI Alan Banks mystery series on PBS. This isn't part of the series, but I thought I'd give it a try. If you like British murder mysteries, you'll like him. This particular book got a slow start with a lot of description about the house he just bought. You'll realize it's sort of a necessity because he goes on to solve an old murder where the house is sort of the central "character." I met Peter once before I became an author (before I even started writing!). I went to a book signing and took my stack of hardbacks for him to sign (a little sheepishly, I might add, because I didn't know what the protocol was for how many books it was kosher to present for autographs). Here's a little known fact: he doesn't like dogs. Who doesn't like dogs?! I forgive him, though, because he writes good books.

• The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. A YA about teens with cancer. I wasn't going to read this because it couldn't possibly end well. I do so love my happy endings. I read about murder and death and dying and all that, but I sorta draw the line at kids dying from cancer. I try to stay away from real stuff like that. I live real life everyday so don't really need to read about it. But after several people told me that his writing reminded them of my writing (I'm a tad snarky), I decided to give it a try. It was really good. That's all I can say.

 

What's on your nightstand?

 

Do you read more than one book at a time?

 

Read any good books lately?

 

 

Fantastic Speculative Fiction - This is Worth Reading: TALLAS by Cathrina Constantine #specfic

Can't decide what to read next? Untethered Realms is sharing what we loved reading the first Friday of every month. Since the Fourth of July holiday fell on the first Friday this month, I'm posting July's selection a week late. 

TALLAS

by Cathrina Constantine

The cover alone makes you want to read this book, doesn't it? I'm happy to say that the story inside is as fantastic as the cover. 

Here is the blurb from Amazon:

In a decimated world, setting foot outside the protected village of Tallas is certain death—or so they say. Mutations caused by those in the wilderness have plagued Tallas’s citizens—or so they say… For Doogan and Keeyla their belief in a Free Tallas has lost its glimmer. And when their young son, Fabal, is given a very dangerous assignment, they risk everything to protect him. Fleeing Tallas, they head for the wilderness. But when they are ambushed by cruel Mediators, Doogan is recaptured, and while Keeyla and Fabal escape, she is severely injured. Can the two of them survive in the wilderness? Will Doogan getaway from the clutches of the Mediators? And are the terrible legends about the monsters beyond the walls of Tallas true?

 And my review: 

I am not usually drawn to dystopian stories but that may change after reading Tallas. Constantine's world building is both fascinating and eerie, especially as the chemically-induced mutations and post-apocalyptic landscapes are unfortunately not that hard to imagine.
The story starts with a bang and the suspense builds to a nail-biting conclusion. I honestly stayed up much later than I intended to as I truly could not stop reading the book until I finished it.
The people who inhabit the world of Tallas are all fully realized and well-developed characters. While they live in a world very different from our own, they are all very human and illustrate both the best and the worst of human nature. In addition, Constantine adds touches of humor that are most welcome, particularly in the form of the mutated animals who have become pets. After reading Tallas, I really wanted a gigantic blue-tinged bear of my own.
Tallas is another great read from a very talented author.

Find TALLAS on Amazon here. 

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Fantastic Speculative Fiction - This is Worth Reading: Old Man of Tessara by J. Edward Neill #specfic

Can't decide what to read next? Untethered Realms is sharing what we loved reading the first Friday of every month.

Old man of Tessera

by J Edward Neill

Blurb:

A young man from the drowned village of Veni wanders along the sea until he comes to the city of Tessera. The Old Man takes him in and urges him to explore Tessera, where nothing and no one are as they seem…

This is a beautifully written short horror story. Quiet. Deadly. Like a spider’s web you don’t know is there until you’re well and truly caught in it, with no way out. Neill writes with a unique style, reminding me of fabled storytellers honored with a place beside the fire, holding their audience captive until the final word is spoken.

Slip into his world and discover a gifted writer. He has a much longer series of dark fantasy as well, which I’m itching to snatch up and drown myself in.

Find it here on Amazon

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Check out #unrealms Books Worth Reading feature! Old Man of Tessera by @JEdwardNeill http://untetheredrealms.blogspot.com #fantasy, #horror