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An exciting and entertaining sci-fi adventure!

Revisado: 09-09-23

Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology. It was a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a lifelong love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them. That book still remains in my collection today. The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It’s a substantial volume, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking, and some are adventurous. I love them all.

MAROONED by Andrew R. Williams is a prequel to the Arcadia's Children Series. It’s a brilliantly written and richly descriptive novel with skillfully drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted sci-fi action and adventure that had me captivated from the start. Skillfully constructed, this exciting and energetic sci-fi had me turning the pages from beginning to end.

To summarize the synopsis: I'm 15, almost 16, and my name is Bee Bee, or at least that's what everyone calls me. After a difficult year, I've found myself on the Empress of Incognita, sailing through the stars to a new life with my father and stepmother. At the very least, that's how it should be. Things only become worse when the Empress collides with a deep-space mine. Not only are some of the other passengers dangerous, but as we leave the Empress and get to 'Arcadia,' we realize that the Great Ones that live there will make life incredibly difficult for us all. Read on to learn how we became stranded!

MAROONED is well-written and exactly the right length to give you excitement with many surprises along the way, and then it's over, leaving you feeling good but eagerly anticipating more. Very highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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An exceptionally well-written crime thriller.

Revisado: 04-18-20

The End of Echoes by Dawn Hosmer is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel, with brilliantly drawn characters driven by heartbreak and the need for justice. The author weaves a well-crafted crime thriller with intriguing twists and turns that will captivate the reader from the first page to the last. Skillfully constructed, it’s a story that will take you on a heart-rending but fascinating journey.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Ruby Dunkin is in an abusive marriage. Her best efforts aren’t enough to shield her two children from an abusive father whose cruelty knows no bounds. Their volatile situation ends in tragedy when Ruby’s eldest son, Billy is torn away from everything he loves. Consumed by hatred and self-loathing Billy becomes the thing he hates the most—his father.

Chelsea Wyatt, a senior in high school, goes missing after work one night, never to return. Her parents are devastated, only knowing this kind of tragedy from the news. Crimes like this are unheard of in their quiet, midwestern town. Consumed by the tragic fate of their friend, family member and neighbor, their lives and futures are forever altered. For over eighteen years, no one knows the connection between Ruby Dunkin and Chelsea Wyatt.

A journey through time reveals the common thread stitching their heartbreak together. Yesterday echoes throughout each character’s life as they decide how, and if, they will break the chains of the past. Will they continue to leave a legacy of pain and loss for future generations? Will they break the cycles of abuse that have destroyed so many lives?’

Now, if that’s not enough to get your curiosity juices flowing, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.

The story had every element a good story should have. A solid plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much.

This was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly mesmerizing journey. Five stars.

*Special mention also to Marnye Young (Audio Sorceress) for an outstanding audio version of this book.

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Another exceptionally written historical fiction

Revisado: 12-14-18

Author Gemma Lawrence gives us the second of two books about William the Conqueror’s wife: Mathilda. Having read the first installment, I was looking forward to this one, and author didn’t disappoint.

It’s another captivating historical fiction that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the first page to the last. The author brings to life a gripping story of power, ambition and brutality in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a moderately fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Autumn, 1066: The Battle of Hastings is done. The struggle for England begins…

Matilda, Lady of Flanders, Duchess of Normandy, rules as Regent of Normandy for her husband, Duke William. William has won the Battle of Hastings, but Saxon England does not wish to surrender to him as King. As William sets England to flame, Matilda waits in Normandy for the time to come when she can claim her crown.

Through bloodshed, battle, and struggle will England be won, but even as Matilda rejoices for her new power, a prophecy is spoken, linking the fates of her children to the wailing voices and horrific images in dreams which come to haunt her. Matilda comes to understand that God is watching and is not pleased with what he sees.

As Matilda battles to save her children, she finds she must stand against her own husband, in order to protect the lives, and immortal souls, of her sons and daughters. Through heartache, discord, battle, rebellion, and slaughter, the fate of England, and the future of the house of Normandy, will be decided…’

Exemplary and praiseworthy, this work had me engrossed from the beginning. It’s an impassioned historical fiction interwoven with true-life history. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of intense moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly captivating and spellbinding journey.

It’s one of those books that comes along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. Although this is a somewhat ‘meaty’ read, it’s unlikely that it could be finished in one or two sittings. Nevertheless, for those looking for an interesting, three-dimensional and stimulating read, this would be a rare find. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader.

If this book is anything to go by, I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Gemma Lawrence in the future. It also has a distinctly cinematic feel to it and I could easily see it being adapted for the Silver Screen. A well-deserved five stars from me.

Special mention also to Marnye Young for her excellent narration. An exceptionally talented lady with a gifted voice for storytelling.

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A first-class whodunit with perfect pacing.

Revisado: 12-08-18

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn't see coming and that added to the book's mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It's a first-class whodunit with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of mystery, thriller and suspense will want it.

Murder in Shadow had every element a good story should have. An intriguing plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There's an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that's something I really look for in a good book. It's one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I'm giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!

I'll definitely be looking forward to reading more from Anne Cleeland in the future. I would highly recommend this book. Five stars from me.

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An exceptionally well-crafted historical fiction.

Revisado: 11-25-18

Author Gemma Lawrence weaves a captivating historical fiction with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a gripping story of power, ambition and brutality in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It's a moderately fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.

The book description gives a sneak preview: 'The most famous date in English history, when the might of the English Saxons faced the wrath of the Norman invasion. The man who stormed the sands of Sussex was William, bastard Duke of Normandy, the man they eventually came to call the Conqueror... But the Heart of the Conqueror was Matilda, Lady of Flanders and Duchess of Normandy. At the side of the most famous war-lord of history, Matilda worked, not as quiet, modest wife, but as a leader... as a ruler just as ruthless as her husband. Under her soft mask of beauty and modesty there lay the heart of a woman powered by ambition. A woman who was strong, courageous and devious...

Through the eyes of one of the most extraordinary women of history unfold the events leading to the invasion of England and the battle that would decide its fate...'

Now, if that's not enough to get your whet your appetite, I don't know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you'll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It's my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.

Captivating and commendable, this work had me immersed from the beginning. It's an impassioned historical fiction interwoven with true-life history. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly compelling and fascinating journey.

It's one of those books that comes along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. Although this is a somewhat 'meaty' read, it's unlikely that it could be finished in one or two sittings. Nevertheless, for those looking for an interesting, three-dimensional and stimulating read, this would be a rare find. I'm giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader.

If this book is anything to go by, I'll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Gemma Lawrence in the future. It also has a distinctly cinematic feel to it and I could easily see it being adapted for the Silver Screen or perhaps follow in the footsteps of Downton Abbey. A well-deserved five stars from me.

Special mention also to Marnye Young for her excellent narration. An exceptionally talented lady with a gifted voice for storytelling.

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