Speculative Fiction Worth Reading - Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula

 

Blurb: Powers of Darkness is an incredible literary discovery: In 1900, Icelandic publisher and writer Valdimar Ásmundsson set out to translate Bram Stoker’s world-famous 1897 novel Dracula. Called Makt Myrkranna (literally, “Powers of Darkness”), this Icelandic edition included an original preface written by Stoker himself. Makt Myrkranna was published in Iceland in 1901 but remained undiscovered outside of the country until 1986, when Dracula scholarship was astonished by the discovery of Stoker’s preface to the book. However, no one looked beyond the preface and deeper into Ásmundsson’s story.

In 2014, literary researcher Hans de Roos dove into the full text of Makt Myrkranna, only to discover that Ásmundsson hadn’t merely translated Dracula but had penned an entirely new version of the story, with all new characters and a totally re-worked plot. The resulting narrative is one that is shorter, punchier, more erotic, and perhaps even more suspenseful than Stoker’s Dracula. Incredibly, Makt Myrkranna has never been translated or even read outside of Iceland until now.

Powers of Darkness presents the first ever translation into English of Stoker and Ásmundsson’s Makt Myrkranna. With marginal annotations by de Roos providing readers with fascinating historical, cultural, and literary context; a foreword by Dacre Stoker, Bram Stoker’s great-grandnephew and bestselling author; and an afterword by Dracula scholar John Edgar Browning, Powers of Darkness will amaze and entertain legions of fans of Gothic literature, horror, and vampire fiction.

Christine's review: This is an Icelandic rewrite of Dracula, or shall we say, fanfiction. It's been some years since I've actually read the original, so I can't speak on a lot of differences. Definitely there is more focus on Harker and the blonde bride in the castle, and a lot more description of the castle itself. It's not at all erotic or romantic. The Count is portrayed as more evil, but the last third is more of a synopsis than anything else. What I found I enjoyed a lot more than I expected was the introduction and the notes in the margins of the story itself with all the history, interesting Stoker and Asmundsson facts, and translation reasons. So while the rewrite wasn't all I had hoped for, the book as a whole is well put together.

Speculative Fiction Worth Reading: Johannes Cabal the Necromancer

Blurb: A charmingly gothic, fiendishly funny Faustian tale about a brilliant scientist who makes a deal with the Devil, twice.

Johannes Cabal sold his soul years ago in order to learn the laws of necromancy. Now he wants it back. Amused and slightly bored, Satan proposes a little wager: Johannes has to persuade one hundred people to sign over their souls or he will be damned forever. This time for real. Accepting the bargain, Jonathan is given one calendar year and a traveling carnival to complete his task. With little time to waste, Johannes raises a motley crew from the dead and enlists his brother, Horst, a charismatic vampire to help him run his nefarious road show, resulting in mayhem at every turn.

Christine's review: This is the perfect Halloween read. It's darkly evocative and twisty with some clever gothic wit. Johannes isn't the sort of character you want to be friends with, but as an anti-hero, his story is enthralling. A man who sold his soul for knowledge and then realizes later he wants it back, so he makes a wager with Satan. Johannes needs to sign 100 souls to damnation in one year, and Satan gives him a demonic carnival to help with it. The cast of characters are delightfully dead and amusing. I especially like Horst, Johannes' vampiric brother. The story picks up steam as the carnival moves along. I love the dry humor and quirky dread blanketing it all.

Fractions of Existence - Speculative Fiction Worth Reading #bookreview

Blurb: Once they were humanity's exalted protectors— now they are being hunted.

Xavier will weigh all human life against Gwendolyn's ignorant happiness. The good news is that her choice can blow his away.

Omnipotent beings find each other while playing an online game. Xavier has been searching for Gwendolyn, his true mate and the missing member of the Existence. Only if reunited can the group regain the rest of their memories and access all of their powers. Hidden in plain sight, disguised as humans, they help who they can, as best they can, when they can.

The Eyes in the Shadows, a religious sect, has been trying to free humans from the “prison” of life on Earth for millenniums. The Existence has always been able to thwart them… until now. They've discovered a way to end the world that no one will see coming.

Gwendolyn has her future all laid out. There is a plan. She knows what her parents want for her and how to get it. Then Xavier, a friend from a virtual game, makes her question everything. He's full of secrets, one being an understanding of her fear of the wind.

She tries to suppress her intense attraction to the mysterious and frustrating Xavier. She's engaged, after all, and the thoughts she's having aren't proper. Gwendolyn is swept into a whirlwind of secrets, danger, and a forbidden attraction. She'll drive across the country in her beat-up old car, not knowing if he is genuinely interested or just being polite. (He refuses to kiss her!) Gwendolyn's journey is full of self-doubt, sacrifice, and dark visions that invade her sleep. Will she uncover the truth about herself?

Christine's review: The Existence wants only to protect humanity, but with their numbers split, they do not have the power to stop those who wish them dead. Xavier has been searching for their missing member and his love, but when he finally finds Wend (short for Gwendolyn), she doesn't know who she truly is and is about to be married her a man she doesn't know. The two of them grow close online, and Wend tries to be happy with her life, to do right by her father, but her emotions are in turmoil. Will she find her true self before it's too late?

This is the first book in the NA fantasy series, Existence. It has a unique mythology about The Existence where the members are like superheros or demi-gods. Even those that serve them have the desire to protect and better humanity. I have never read something like this before and it truly fascinated me. I'd love to see more about The Existence and its history. The villains are despicable and only want to destroy the good guys to "free" humans from their Earthly prison. Yet most of this book is concentrated on Xavier and Wend and how they're struggling with their budding relationship. Wend especially has a lot of issues to deal with for she feels a duty to her family and her religion, which makes her very passive, and has no one to support her until Xavier comes along. The relationships of Xavier and the others in The Existence are powerful, and I loved seeing the interaction between them. I also loved the fact Xavier and Wend met in an online fantasy game.

Highly recommended to those who want something new and fresh in the genre.

Buy the book here!

Speculative Fiction Worth Reading - After the Sky by Milo James Fowler #SpecFic #postapocalyptic

Blurb: The meek have not inherited the earth.

The world isn't how they left it. When the bunker airlocks release them after twenty years in hibernation, the survivors find a silent, barren world outside. But they are not alone. There is a presence here, alive in the dust—spirits of the earth, benevolent and malicious as they interact with the human remnant.

Milton is haunted by a violent past he's unable to escape, despite the superhuman speed the spirits give him.

Not interested in bearing the next generation, Daiyna is determined to destroy the flesh-eating mutants lurking in the dark, pierced by her night-vision.

Luther is a man of conviction who believes the Creator has offered humankind a second chance, yet he's uncertain they deserve it—and he's perplexed by the talons that flex out of his fingers.

Willard is a brilliant engineer-turned-soldier who refuses to leave his bunker, afraid of becoming infected and willing to destroy any obstacle in his way.

As their lives collide, the mysteries of this strange new world start unraveling, culminating in the ultimate life-or-death decision one survivor will make for them all.

My review: Twenty years ago, civilization was blasted away. Now the airlocks on the vaults have opened, and the survivors get to see what has become of their world. The land has been devastated, but spirits of the earth still roam. Some seem to be helpful, but others want to wipe away the last remaining humans. Will the survivors be able to make a new life for themselves or will the malicious spirits have their way?

This is the first book in a thrilling post-apocalyptic adventure series. It reminded me of the popular video game, Fallout, with survivors coming out of the safety of their vaults into a frightening world. After the Sky has much more twisted plot which wrapped me in it quick. We get to see the world through a handful of eyes, the points of view of different characters from various vaults. Each vault has its own specialty: engineers, scientists, breeders. Many people gain new paranormal abilities when they come to the surface. They venture out and meet one another along with other chilling surprises. Luther is the rock of the group and helps keeps hope alive. Daiyna is my favorite character. Strong and wise, and not letting the assignment of her vault determine her purpose. Milton is fascinating, and I never knew which way he'd go.

There's high tension and plenty of action along with a lot of depth in the plot. What exactly is going on in the world, and how to these spirits tie into everything? How can one person make all the difference? While fear, hate, and paranoia drive some characters, others still hold on to their faith and hope. An amazing read that has me eager for the next book.

P.S. Click here or on the cover for the Amazon buy link!

Speculative Fiction Worth Reading - #Review of Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of this masterpiece!

Blurb: Slaughterhouse-Five, an American classic, is one of the world’s great antiwar books. Centering on the infamous firebombing of Dresden, Billy Pilgrim’s odyssey through time reflects the mythic journey of our own fractured lives as we search for meaning in what we fear most.

Christine's review: Billy Pilgrim was not made for war. Later in life, as he sits down to write his experiences in a book, the reader follows his life before, during, and after the bombing of Dresden in World War II. Not in that order due to the fluid nature of time!

I read this book many, many years ago. When I picked it up to read again, what I remembered most was that Billy had been abducted by aliens and they displayed him in a zoo. That is just a very small part of this story. This time around, it was the horror and devastation of war that struck me, and left me feeling heavy and depressed. The grisly details and horrible reality of what it was like; the sights, smells, and sounds. The repetitive imagery of the frozen ivory and blue feet. Billy was already broken by the time he was sent overseas to fight, but the war shattered him further. He was truly a tragic character. There is a bit about aliens and living in a zoo, and the fourth dimension of time. It's weird and zany, but the novel carries a great weight which makes it truly one of the greatest novels I've ever read.

The Kurt Vonnegut Library is celebrating by working with the publisher to get a new 50th anniversary cover for the book. Check out the article here.

Harnessing the Winds by Morena Silver #review #fantasy

Harnessing the Winds (A Tale of The Abandoned #1) by Morena Silver

Captain Artemia Storm's magic has failed her. Without enough to protect her crew, a vicious sea hag curses her and all the women on her ship, The Abandoned. Never again will they be able to step foot onto land. Artemia will do anything to break the hex and free her crew. She plans to remove the cruel curse by inviting the Four Winds to join their magic with hers and kill the wretched hag. But will Artemia be able to convince four gorgeous men to be magically bound to a feared pirate or will they all end up as bones at the bottom of the endless seas?

Morena Silver's Harnessing the Winds is my first foray into reading a reverse harem story, and I hope it won't be my last.

I love how strong and compassionate Artemia Storm is. Her crew can count on her, and she them. The Four Winds sure have a way to worm into any woman's heart. I must admit I'm rather partial to Grim. Sly, the pixie and Storm's best friend, plays great comedic relief as the reader makes their way through Silver's twists and turns.

Filled with mythology, strong characters you can root for, and very steamy romance, Harnessing the Winds by Morena Silver is a must-read in not only the reverse harem subgenre but also for fantasy romance lovers.

Harnessing the Winds is available through Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

Book Review: Disposal (Pop Travel #3) by Tara Tyler

Blurb:

In the future, many problems are the same, but cool gadgets make chasing the bad guys more fun.

Cooper and Geri are finally in a good place, but their bliss is short-lived. When Cooper's rebellious nephew Jimmy comes down to stay with them in Atlanta for a summer internship. Now he thinks he's found the girl of his dreams in a fiery, exotic beauty. Pursuing her against all words of warning into a dangerous underground world, he ends up getting kidnapped by her powerful Drug Lord father. Geri tracks him down, but gets herself kidnapped as well.

Now it's up to Cooper to use all his resources to save them, including the hot homicide detective Geri secretly despises, and the latest sketchy gadgets his genius friend Hasan needs field-tested. Sure, why not? Cooper will try anything to get his family back.

Christine's review:

In this third book of the thrilling Pop Travel series, Cooper and Geri's home life is disrupted by a visit from Jimmy, Cooper's unruly nephew. Jimmy pursues a beautiful young woman whose father turns out to be a drug lord. He finds himself kidnapped, and when Geri goes to save him, she ends up in the drug lord's clutches too. Cooper enlists the help of his genius friend Hasan to find them, but will he end up captured like his family or worse?

This sci-fi series is so much fun. It's a fast-paced ride in the not too distant future where people can travel through teleporters and still sometimes get a little sick from it. Cooper and Geri are a wonderful team. Neither of them will back down and will do anything to save those they care for. Of course I still love the parts with Hasan. His geeky quirkiness and immense intelligence have him coming up with all sorts of strange gadgets. Most untested, of course. Cooper gets the fun of that!

I highly recommend the Pop Travel series to sci-fi and thriller fans alike.

Buy the book here!

Book Review: Serpent's Sacrifice by Trish Heinrich #superhero

Blurb:

Ever since Alice was saved from her abusive father, she’s wanted to be a hero. But in 1960’s Jet City, women are supposed to want marriage and babies, not cowls and secret identities.

When her beloved aunt is murdered by a new crime syndicate, Alice takes up the mantle of the Serpent, a heroine who has been protecting Jet City for decades.

But one mistake will unleash a dreadful villain. One who will stop at nothing to take control of the city and kill anyone who stands in the way.

Can Alice survive the battle and become the hero she was always meant to be? Or will the price be too much to bear?

My review:

Alice is swept away from her abusive father and her best friends to live with her rich aunt in Jet City. While well-to-do women in the 1960s are expected to marry well and have children, Alice longs for something much more. She trains to be a powerful fighter and takes up the mantle of the city's infamous superhero, Serpent. A vicious villain is making people cower in fear, experiencing waking nightmares. Alice and her friends must stop the madness before their enemy takes over the city, but are they willing to pay the price to do so?

This is an amazing debut novel from Trish Heinrich with rich world building, twists and turns, and fabulous characterization. I thoroughly enjoy the superhero genre, but most books give us extended comics without the illustrations. Not this one. The plot is thick and well written. I love the history of the Serpent. (Pick up the prequel novella, Serpent for even more!) I especially love the strong women that have put on the cowl. The story takes place in the past, and it makes their strength even more admirable.

What thoroughly won me over was the excellent cast of characters. Alice is a smart and resourceful young woman who doesn't exactly fit in to her world, but she strives to make it a better place. While she is the Serpent, she has no super powers. It's all her. I also liked the fact that punching things wasn't the only way she had to resolve things. There was social maneuvering, battle tactics, and investigating. I loved her relationship with her two best friends, Lionel and Marco. Each man so different and endearing in their own way. Alice's aunt and uncle, Mrs. Frost, and Rose. So many great characters. Plus the villain. I won't give any spoilers, but yes, so demented.

I can't wait for more in this awesome series!

Buy the book!

Fly on over to Trish Heinrich's site.

Book Reviews: 3 awesome books from the Untethered Realms authors #amreading

We have such an amazing group of authors in Untethered Realms. I eat up all of my fellow members' books, and I wanted to share with you three of my most recent reads.

Saving the Phoenix Guard has changed him forever.

My review: In a great battle against the Great Beyonders, Liam died on the field. Yet the Phoenix Prophetess Yssa somehow brought him back to life. He never wanted to be apart from her, but now he struggles with seeing and hearing things that aren't there. Dark threats still shadow the kingdom, and Liam will do everything in his power to protect Yssa. This also includes finding out what is happening to him. If only he can find the information he needs in time.

This well-written fantasy novella takes place just after Reborn, the first book of The Fate Challenges. It brings us from Yssa's point of view into Liam's, her Phoenix Guard. I loved seeing Yssa from a different point of view. We are all harder on ourselves after all. Liam strives to protect her and make her happy, and sometimes those two goals are opposed to one another.

The aftermath of a huge battle isn't pretty. We see the celebration and the grief. Liam is a soldier and has lost many comrades, and this makes his struggle with his own situation even more immense. Love gives him strength, though. It was fascinating to follow along with him as he researched the only other man to be brought back from the dead and wonder what exactly happened then, and what might happen to him. I can't wait for the next book to see where it will take Yssa and Liam!

Buy Marked here!

 
The first shot of a new war echoes through the galaxy.

My review: The Backworlds and Foreworlds have banned together with the hope of defeating a terrifying enemy, the Quassers. Craze gave up his friends and livelihood to become the envoy for the Backworlds. All he'd rather be doing is brewing some malt and tending his bar, but there is much more than his pride at stake here. The alliance is shaky, and Craze can't afford to let it fall apart. They have one more chance at survival, and it's all or nothing.

I loved delving back into the rich universe of this space opera series. The settings, characters, and storylines are all marvelously varied, but twine together so very well. I'm often reminded of Firefly with Craze and his friends out to save the universe armed with their good hearts and sometimes good luck. But things don't go their way all the time.

The cast in this series is large, but none of them suffer from lack of depth. Each of them have their own tales, but a powerful love of friends holds them together. The twists in the plot had me shouting "Oh my God!" out loud, and several times, it tugged hard at my heart. Plus there were some clever bits in there like the crusties and the tendrils. This is an immensely heavy book, and I didn't want it to end. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Backworlds.

Buy Freefall here! 

The Weird West just gets weirder.

My review: Orville "foretells" people's futures for coin, but Jimmy hopes to make a more honest living in the Old West. The two hucksters are captured by a dark wizard named Marzby who lures them in with a plea for help with a knocker. Orville is held prisoner as Jimmy is sent out to find an enchanted knife and bring it back to Marzby within three days. Help isn't coming, and Jimmy doesn't know what's more pesky: shapeshifting varmints or a tenacious girl who refuses to be sent home to her ma. The knife is an evil thing and no one should have their hands on it, but how else is Jimmy going to rescue Orville?

This weird Old West tale was a marvelous adventure. It me laughing with Jimmy's similes and Isobel's antics, and it had me on the edge of my seat with the thrilling action and thick tension. There were a few twists and turns I didn't see coming. It was just the sort of gritty, supernaturally fun plot I enjoy.

Jimmy is immediately likable. He's loyal, goodhearted, and not afraid of hard work. He can be a wily young man too. Orville is exactly what I imagine a huckster to be like. Slick of tongue, able to talk himself out of most situations. I particularly enjoyed the interaction with Jimmy and the girl, Isobel. She's got the makings of a great hero and huckster herself! Marzby was a despicable villain. The kind I love to hate. I always wondered exactly how much he knew and how he would turn the events into his favor.

Buy The Black Blade here!

Book Review: Huntress Found by A. A. Chamberlynn #amreading

Blurb:

Evryn’s got mad skills at playing hide and seek. She can find lost children, hack the most secure databases, pretty much anything. Except for the one thing she desires most: the knowledge of who her parents are, why they abandoned her, and what her special talent means about who and what she really is.

So, when a guy named Seeker appears quite literally out of nowhere, claiming to know about her past and offering her a job, Evryn can’t say yes fast enough. Even if it does mean following him to another realm. As in, mind-blowingly, not Earth. Apparently she’s part of an elite clan of Hunters descending from Artemis who can find just about anything in all of time and space. As the last of Artemis’ direct lineage, Evryn is her clan’s best shot at finding a lost city before rival clans do.

Not just any city, but the flying, realm-hopping city of Skye. Aboard Skye is the Artifex, a magical device with the power to create or destroy worlds. Everyone wants the device, and with Evryn’s super-powered lineage, it means everyone wants her, too. It’s hard to decide who she can trust, even within her own clan. After she discovers a strange, alluring connection to the Artifex, she’s not even sure she can trust herself. Worse yet, the only person who may be able to help her is the Timekeeper, the sadistic ancient being who created the Artifex. An interdimensional war is brewing, and Evryn is right at the epicenter of it all.

Let the hunt begin.

My review:

Evryn has always felt the pull of lost things when she's focused on them. She follows the Call to find missing children and save them from their captors. Until a handsome man named Seeker finds her. She is the Lost One, and once she finds out why, she wonders if she should have stayed hidden. Evryn has the blood of Artemis in her, the most famous hunter in history. Now as a Hunter herself, she seeks the most elusive target: an artifact on a flying city named Skye which can jump realms. This artifact is a powerful weapon. The realms are going to war to find it. And Evryn is the key to it all.

This is the first book in the awesome series, The Timekeeper's War. I was blown away by Evryn's tale, especially with all the twists at the end. Wow. With several realms and a great history, this was a massive task in world building, and it was done wonderfully. Never once did I feel bogged down by information. I reveled in the various realms from modern day Earth to medieval worlds and steampunk realms. Plus the flying city of Skye! The place fascinates me. I hunted it through the pages just as Evryn did.

Evryn is a strong heroine, and while she does have a lot of power, I didn't feel she abused it or that she was perfect. No, she has her flaws, but she also has a huge heart. Kellan is quite the match for her. Gorgeous (and he knows it), smart (and he knows it), and as good of a Hunter as Evryn (and he knows it!). They bring out the best in each other. The whole cast of characters is spectacular. From their clan to the power hungry king to the mysterious White Stag. And the evilness of the Timekeeper, whoa.

An incredible speculative fiction book with fast action, magical mysteries, and a nice bit of tension-filled romance. I'm hooked!

Buy the book here!

Find A.A. Chamberlynn here!

Manifesting Destiny by M. Pepper Langlinais #BookReview / Speculative Fiction Worth Reading

Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Cee has a hopeless crush on her best friend Marcus. Unfortunately for her, he’s gay. In the wake of Marcus’s older brother leaving home to join the Aerie, Marcus has become increasingly distant. When Cee discovers she has a troublesome dragon named Livian living inside her things grow even more complicated.

Marcus urges Cee to go to the Magi to have Livian removed, but the more Cee becomes attached to Livian, the more she questions the decision. Should she change her natural self for the crush who will never love her anyway?

 

Christine's review:

Everything is about to change in Cee's life, but not in the way she expects. She knows the day will come when she will have to say goodbye to her best friend, Marcus, a guy she's hopelessly in love with, and they'll go live with their own clans. The thing is, Cee has a dragon inside of her which are supposed to be extinct. She has no clan. Marcus suggests having the dragon removed, but Cee doesn't know if she can. Will she give up her dragon for a man who will never love her back?

A wonderfully written YA paranormal fantasy with shapeshifters, psychics, and dragons, oh my! Well, one dragon named Livian. I best give him the spotlight lest he eat me! He's a bit troublesome, but he and Cee are learning to live together in the same body. It's fun and fascinating to read about how Cee deals with the changes within her, and how her friends are dealing with theirs. Each of them are going through a different journey as their powers come to bear as they approach adulthood. The majority of the population shapeshifts into animals, and then they go live with their particular clans. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

I also loved everything going on underneath the trouble Cee and her friends are having. The Magi, the various clans, the Brigade, and all the conflicts and politics that go with them. Who to trust? And where will each path lead? There's a great mystery in the east as well. Lots going on and everything is woven together beautifully.

M. Pepper Langlinais has created an incredible world with great characters for young and old readers alike. I can't wait to read more in the Changers series!

 

Buy the book:
Paperback - Createspace

E-Book
Evernight Teen * Amazon Kindle (US) * Amazon Kindle (UK) * Smashwords

* B&N Nook * iBooks * Kobo * All Romance eBooks 

 

Find M. Pepper Langlinais here!

Review for Salem's Daughters by Stephen Tremp #paranormal

Blurb:

Following the loss of their promising careers, Bob and Debbie Stevens embark upon opening a bed and breakfast. Their savings depleted and desperate for cash, Bob reluctantly allows Debbie's meddling grandparents to co-sign a three million dollar loan. They purchase a burned down property on twenty five acres in scenic rural southern Michigan and builds Murcat Manor.

Rumors of curses and ghosts haunt the property’s reputation. But the history of two previous houses burning to the ground killing nineteen people do not deter Bob and Debbie from their dream: raising a family while earning a living with one of the few bed and breakfasts in the entire region.

During construction, the Stevens adopt thirteen kittens found in the rubble of the property. The cats are possessed by disembodied souls from daughters of witches put to death during the Salem Witch Trials. Each cat possesses a unique ability, and together they bring terror and death to the guests of Murcat Manor.

With each killing bringing more cancellations, Bob has to get creative. Burdened with massive debt, he devises inventive ways to allure new guests in order to keep up the payments. But the malevolent felines have five previous lives, spanning four centuries, of deviltry and murdering practice to draw on. Their vast experience now enhanced with the use of modern technology, they devise cagey ways to keep killing, including leaving evidence at the scene for detectives to believe Bob and Debbie are the perpetrators.

 

My review:

Bob and Debbie Stevens are a young couple down on their luck. On a picnic one sunny day, they discover a property perfect for a future Bed & Breakfast. Even Debbie's grandparents agree and they co-sign a multi-million dollar loan to have the grand Murcat Manor built. The Stevens adopt thirteen kittens found on the property and ignore the animals' strange behavior as well as the dark history of the property. The cats are possessed by the souls of the daughters of the witches killed during the Salem Witch Trials, and they thirst for revenge. Each cat has their own special ability and each of them wants to cause more than just plain mischief. As the deaths pile up, the Stevens have to find a way to keep the B&B booked and dodge two cops who have a vendetta against them. Will Bob and Debbie find out who is really responsible for the killings, or will they be put away for life if the can survive the cats' fury?

A wonderfully written paranormal tale that will raise the hair on your arms and wonder what will happen next. Great tension building and lots of surprises. My favorite part was the great descriptions. I could vividly picture Murcat Manor in my mind with all its unique rooms and the people (and cats!) that reside and visit there. I wasn't drowned by long paragraphs of descriptions, but it was nicely dispersed throughout.

There's a huge cast of characters, and sometimes it was difficult to remember who was who with the cats. Bob and Debbie had incredible depth. They're your ordinary young couple and yet circumstances make them something much more. While I could see how some would describe Bob as boring, he has an immense strength and smarts. Debbie might seem a little wild, but she's just as admirable as her husband. Erma and Ross made me smile too.

Highly recommended to fans of mysteries and paranormals.

Buy the book here:

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords

Find out more about Stephen Tremp on his blog!

Review for Soul Breaker by Clara Coulson #urbanfantasy #paranormal

The cover captured my attention first: a man with magic upon his hand. I read the first chapter on a blog, and I was hooked and had to pre-order Clara Coulson's Soul Breaker.

The Book's Description from Goodreads:

There’s a hideous monster on the loose, crushing heads and taking names.

But Detective Calvin Kinsey is on the case!

Two years ago, Cal Kinsey was an up-and-coming cop in the Aurora Police Department. But during a fateful nighttime stakeout in search of a prolific killer, Cal witnessed the darkest corner of his dreams come to life. A rogue vampire slaughtered his partner — to put it nicely — and introduced Cal to the supernatural world he never knew existed in the shadows.

Now, Cal is a newly minted detective at the often mocked Department of Supernatural Investigations. By day, the agents of DSI are called “Kooks” by local law enforcement. By night, they’re known as “Crows,” reviled by the supernatural underworld.

Mere weeks out of the academy, Cal catches his first real case, a vicious murder at a local college. An unknown sorcerer has summoned a powerful creature from the Eververse, a realm of magic and mayhem that borders Earth, and set it on a dangerous warpath through the city.

Between butting heads with his grumpy team captain, stirring up ill will with the local wizards and witches, and repeatedly getting the crap beaten out of himself, Cal must find a way to stop the Eververse monster and send it back to the hell it came from…

…preferably before Aurora, Michigan runs out of coffins for the dead. 

Cherie's Review:

DSI detective Cal Kinsey's first supernatural case might be his last in Clara Coulson's Soul Breaker.

What attracted me to this novel was the voice of the main character Cal Kinsey. He's sarcastic, sometimes a bit of a jerk, and rash, but he's also caring, kind, and a hero. The action and tension are non-stop, and all I wanted to do was keep reading to find out what would happen next to Cal and the other Department of Supernatural Investigations' members. Coulson crafts a fascinating and unique world and explanation of the supernatural through the invention of the Eververse. There are mysteries within the world and about Cal that I'm particularly looking forward to reading about in the next books.

Soul Breaker by Clara Coulson is book one of the City of Crows series, so I'm excited we have more to come. I'm so looking forward to the next book!

Purchase it on Amazon.com.

Add on Goodreads.

To learn more about Clara and her books, check out http://www.claracoulson.com.

Review for Kinetic by S.K. Anthony #superheros #paranormal

Let me first begin by saying I love Superheros! I always wanted to be one, and Kinetic is raging with super powers. S.K. Anthony has the ability to make it sound realistic and scientific how these people evolved with unimaginable powers such as healing, hypnotizing, fire-beams charging out of their hands, disappearing, and more. Our main character Annie has strength, great strength. The petite Annie can wrestle anyone and anything and come out on top. The big problem is, their power has a draining effect on their bodies.

The Blurb:
 Being strong is one thing. Being an unlimited source of power is quite another.

Genetically altered by the Organization, Annie Fox takes down criminals CIA-style with her luminary strength. With nothing to mend but her broken heart, she is relentlessly pursued by her boss Derek Lake. Just when Annie is about to give him a chance, her ex-husband unexpectedly comes out of hiding.

A wanted man, Nick Logan is a cold-hearted murderer who is considered enemy number one, and orders are clear: kill on contact. He is more powerful than ever and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. His plan? Get his hands on Annie and use her Kinetic energy to destroy them all. When Annie finds herself with an opportunity to end him, she pauses, horrified by the scars covering the face she once loved. A split second that will cost her everything

  Cathrina's Review:

Now that you all read the blurb, I can say Kinetic is a fast paced read and held my interest. I especially liked the despicable Nick Logan, enemy number one. He was one pissed-off dude that you have to love. He was sexy and lethal all in one. I admit, I have a thing for 17 year-old, Kevin, who can disappear and reappear anywhere, cool. I'm drawn to witty sarcasm and Kinetic has plenty of that. 

S.K. Anthony spins an intriguing tale. I did figure out who the bad guy was, but that's okay. It was interesting and somewhat typical as to why he was doing what he was doing. Remember I don't like leaving spoilers. If you're interested, I highly suggest reading Kinetic. 

What Super Power Would You Pick?

Review of A Change of Mind and Other Stories

Blurb:

A Change of Mind and Other Stories consists of a novella, four short stories and one flash fiction piece. This collection puts the extremes of human behaviour under the microscope with the help of lashings of dark humour, and includes four pieces previously published in Writer’s Muse magazine.
 
In "A Change of Mind," Reuben is an office worker so meek and mild he puts up with daily bullying from his boorish male colleagues as if it’s just a normal part of his day. But when a stranger points him in the direction of a surgeon offering a revolutionary new procedure, he can’t pass up the chance to turn his life around.

 

But this isn’t your average surgeon. For a start, he operates alone in a small room above a mechanic’s. And he promises to alter his patients’ personality so they can be anything they want to be…
 
In "Marissa," a man who is determined to find evidence of his girlfriend’s infidelity ends up wondering if he should have left well alone.

"The Dog God" finds a chink in the armour of a man with a megalomaniacal desire to take over the world.
 
In "The Insomniac," a man who leads an obsessively regimented lifestyle on one hour’s sleep a night finds a disruption to his routine doesn’t work for him.
 
"Hole In One" sees a dedicated golfer achieving a lifelong ambition.

"The Loner" ends the collection on a note of hope as two family members try to rebuild their lives after they are torn apart by jealousy.

 

Christine's review:

A collection of wonderfully dark stories that takes the reader on a terrifying psychological journey. The title piece, "A Change of Mind" is about Reuben who has spent his life being beat down by bullying. Not only by coworkers and peers, but by his own family. A barkeep directs him to a surgeon who can perform a procedure that will change his life forever. It's not what you expect at all, and certainly not what Reuben expects. It could be a dream come true or a nightmare. I loved getting into Reuben's mind, as bleak as his world was, and I was on the edge of my seat until the end of it.

Each story was well written and had its own little twist. They yanked me from one emotion to another, digging deep into me with just a few words. I particularly liked "The Insomniac" which was about a man who lived on only an hour's sleep. Something changes in his extremely regimented routine to mess up his sleep pattern and it's a surprise what a little thing can do. The little things do matter.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Smashwords / B&N / Kobo

Add it on Goodreads

 

Find Nick on:

Blog * Twitter * Goodreads

 

Head on over to Nick's blog to enter his giveaway for a chance to win his book!

* * * * *

 

It was only in recent years that I started to enjoy reading short stories. It is amazing how much impact a few thousand or even a few hundred words can have on a reader. What is your favorite short story?

Fantastic Speculative Fiction - This is Worth Reading: Girl of Great Price by Milo James Fowler

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

In a city run by a powerful mobster, nobody wants to play the hero. Private investigator Charlie Madison just wants to pay the rent.

When a little girl goes missing and no ransom demand is made, Madison takes the case. Time isn't on his side. After 48 hours, it's unlikely an abducted child will be found in one piece. But Madison's a champion of lost causes, and he'll be damned before he gives up on her—even if it means putting his own life on the line.

As the mystery unfolds, Madison learns a bizarre secret that seems too impossible to believe. But it could explain why the girl was kidnapped—and why she might still be alive.

My review:

I enjoy the occasional crime noir tale, but what I love is science fiction. So, when I read a review mentioning this novelette had a cyber-noir, alternate history theme, I was intrigued enough to read Girl of Great Price. I was thoroughly rewarded.

Fowler has taken classic noir and given it a fresh, new setting - a sort of Big Trouble in Little China meets Bladerunner, only without the replicants. His PI Charlie Madison is a tough guy who knows his job and his city. Even though he's down on his luck, he also cares about his city and the people in it, and this makes him a likeable character. I was rooting for him and the girl in question from the beginning.

While this is a short read, moving at a lightning pace, I really felt like I'd lived in the alternate world Fowler has created. I'm always in awe of writers who can convey so much world building in so few words. I've already downloaded its sequel, Immaterial Evidence, which tells you how much I enjoyed this novelette.

I highly recommend Girl of Great Price to  both crime noir and sci-fi fans, and anyone wishing to try something a little different than their usual read. After reading Girl of Great Price, I promise you you'll be reaching for Immaterial Evidence.

Buy links: Amazon / AmazonUK / Barnes & Noble

Author Link: Website

Cowboys and Indians...Wait, No, Cowboys and What?

There are some books that show it is possible to take two familair things, mash them together and make something specatacular. That is Mina Khan's Wildfire.

About Wildfire
Lynn Hana Alexander is a 25-year-old Japanese American shapeshifter haunted by guilt. She’s been questioning herself and her dragon abilities ever since she failed to save her grandmother.

When her best friend is threatened by mysterious fires burning up acres of West Texas, Lynn rushes to the rescue determined not to fail again. However, with a tempting firefighter, a flirty city developer and dragon pheromones distracting her, how is she going to find the arsonist?

And worse: is her primary suspect a malicious rogue dragon or the love of her life?

My Review
First, I must admit up front that I had an opportunity to meet Mina Khan at Indie Romance Con 2014 in Lebanon, TN. Conversation was fluid and easy-going. She's a fun person to be around and I loved hearing her speak.

Now about Wildfire...when I first held the book, I noticed this description on the cover: A Paranormal Mystery with Cowboys and Dragons. Well, I'm pretty familiar with cowboys and indians but mashing a dragon mythos with a cowboy scene is a new one on me. So I had to read it. I'm sooooo glad I did.

Lynn has an ability very few know about, her ability to shift into dragon form. Since the loss of her grandmother, she's been troubled and even doubtful of herself. But when her dragon senses incite her to protect her BFF in West Texas, she finds she's drawn into the mystery of the wildfires, desperate to find out if the constant combustion is caused by some human arsonist or maybe, just maybe, someone like her. If so, what was the end-goal?

Lynn suspects a couple of gents, one more of a city slicker and the other a badboy ranch owner. Both tease her dragon senses with manly musk, mystery and look marvelous sporting thigh hugging Levis jeans.

There were times when Lynn's dragon seemed to have an agenda of its own, a more carnal need to fulfill. And it was such a fantastic adventure following Lynn along the ups and downs she experienced, as well as the emotional highs and lows. Mina does a wonderful job engaging the reader so it really feels like you're there to feel the heat and sweat from the flames and fire.

Wildfire is a must read that shouldn't be missed out.

Buy here: Smashwords | Amazon | B&N | ARe | Kobo | iTunes

Fantastic Speculative Fiction - This is Worth Reading: Blood Family by Mark Knight

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

Blood Family: Quest for the Vampire Key

by Mark Knight

Blurb

Book 1 of The Rites of Daniel Dark

Daniel Dark lives a random life - hanging out with his friends, enjoying alone time with his girlfriend, and working on cars. Having a strict Pastor for a dad doesn't make things easy, either. Especially when you suspect that he is hiding a secret from you.

A mysterious messenger brings Daniel shocking news about his origins. His true father is an unspeakably evil vampire - the master of all vampires, Dominus. As Daniel's own fearsome half-vampire powers begin to emerge, he sets out on a desperate journey across America, Mexico, and finally to the mist-shrouded moors of England. Daniel searches for his birth mother, imprisoned  by Dominus somewhere within the impenetrable Silverwood Manor.

Hiding his dhampir identity, Daniel teams up with Logan DuPris, daughter of England's most famous vampire hunter. As they unravel the clues that lead Daniel to his missing mother, they squabble, fight... and soon ignite intense passion for each other. 

To make things worse, Daniel is hunted by his adoptive father, Pastor Nathan Dark - now determined to destroy the boy he once called son.

My review

Before Blood Family, I'd not considered myself a fan of vampire fiction. In fact, I avoided such books. All that changed when I read Mark Knight's original and unique take on the vampire genre. The detailed world, fully realised characters, and different spin on what it means to be a vampire managed to sink its teeth into me and I'm now a convert. In fact, I've been left hungry for more.

Of extra significance for me was the setting. Part of the story takes place in a location close to my heart - Dartmoor, England. Knight had clearly done his homework, and it was a joy to see places I knew brought to life on the page.

Blood Family's characters - in particular the powerful shaman Xochil - and plot kept me hooked until the very end. There are not many stories that will leave me desperate to return to them, but this was one of them. I'm eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

You can find Blood Family on Amazon here.

Fantastic Speculative Fiction - This is Worth Reading: Champion in the Darkness

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

Champion in the Darkness

By Tyrean Martinson

Blurb:

Clara's ready to become a master swordswoman. When she goes to meet with longtime mentor Dantor, Clara is told she's destined to become the Champion, a fabled hero who arises in time of need. Confused by this claim, Clara isn't sure she's ready to be a Champion.

Whether Clara is ready or not, the evil Kalidess has wormed her way into Septily's court.

Clara is aided by another mentor, Stelia, whose knowledge of their enemy is both a bane and a blessing. As evil threatens their land, Clara and Stelia must find the strength to overcome the darkness.

My review:

Destined to be the next Champion of Septily, Clara isn't certain she's ready for it. She's young and hasn't received the sword of a master swordswoman yet. The evil Sisterhood has gotten its claws into Septily and is about to render it to pieces. With the help of her mentors and friends, she must find the courage to fight in battle. Clara has to have faith in her Lord and herself even when darkness falls over her world.

A wonderful start to the Christian fantasy series, the Champion Trilogy. The worldbuilding is incredible. I love the peeks at the history and the inner workings of the council. There are lovely details about the land and the people, and creatures that are beautiful and horrific. I'm a fan of the people of Aerland and their griffins. I would love to be chosen by griffin to become its partner!

Clara is an admirable character with her struggles of inadequacy and faith. Though at times she seems wise for her age, she is portrayed realistically as a young woman with a grand destiny thrust upon her. My favorite character other than the griffins is Stelia. I'd love to learn more about her and his past. As for Kalidess, she is a villain you can thoroughly loathe.

I can't wait to read more from Tyrean Martinson.

Buy the book on Amazon!