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​book reviews

Lake on the Moon                                                       by H.E. Wilburson

10/26/2019

14 Comments

 

The War of the Worlds (The Martian Diaries, Vol. 2)                          Audio Drama Sequel: A New Martian Menace Invades Earth 
Narrated by Terry Thompson and Harry Preston 

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Multiple-volume, science-fiction author, H.E. Wilburson, introduces us to the second audio book of three in his sci-fi series, Lake on the Moon: The Martian Diaries:
When a Martian cylinder lands on Horsell Common, Ogilvy the astronomer barely survives a deadly heat-ray attack and wakes up in a hospital inundated with casualties as the first War of the Worlds alien invasion rages. He alone discovers the real significance of the Red Weed brought to Earth by the Martians and dispatches vital evidence on board HMS Thunder Child, but it is lost when the ship is attacked and sunk by Martian tripods. Years later in 1919, in the aftermath of the Great War and Spanish Influenza, an insidious new alien menace emerges on Earth from the long forgotten Red Weed. A dangerous and daring plan is devised as Ogilvy, George (HG Wells' narrator), and other original characters strive to combat the devastating Martian plague threatening to extinguish all life on our planet. 
Don't miss this compelling continuation of H.G. Wells' iconic book in the exciting second volume of The Martian Diaries science fiction series, featuring the original characters and a bespoke musical score.
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I have been waiting to resume the story from “The Day of the Martians” for a long time. I loved the first audio book!
This is so well written and acted out! The voice actors do a very credible job and the sound effects along with the music really make the story come alive. Science fiction is my favorite genre, and both of these books are a wonderful extension of the classic story from H. G. Wells “The War of The Worlds”.
I give “Lake on the Moon” a score of 5 stars! 
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You can buy this book on the platform of your choice:
books2read.com/lakeonthemoon 

You can buy the series on Amazon: 
mybook.to/themartiandiaries 

 
You can follow the author:
http://martiandiaries.com 
https://twitter.com/martiandiaries 
https://www.facebook.com/martiandiaries 

Here is the link for my review of the first book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-day-of-the-martians-the-martian-diaries-volume-1-by-he-wilburson-narrated-by-terry-thompson-and-harry-preston 

Here is the link for my review of the third volume in the series:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-martian-diaries-vol-3-gateway-to-mars 
 
Tags: sci-fi, science fiction, historical, aliens, Mars, invasion, England, Wales

​Copyright © 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
14 Comments

Fix                                                                                 By Amanda Gregory

10/19/2019

55 Comments

 
Debut author, Amanda Gregory, introduces us to her novel, Fix:
Tammy was only fifteen when she was introduced to the world of drugs. Five years later, she finds herself on the other side of the country in California. Life is different here compared to the small town she grew up in New Jersey, but Tammy is still up to her old tricks bumming at her polar-opposite, lifelong friend Alecia’s place. Her new beau, Randy, is anything but good with his cold, mysterious demeanor but how can she say no when he suggests a road trip to visit his relatives in Colorado? Along the way, they make a detour at the Bad Karma Club in Las Vegas where they meet an unruly group: Mark leads the group with his obnoxious personality, his sidekick Ty, Angel whose dark disposition makes her seem just out of reach, and Alpha whose mysterious, green eyes unravel feelings inside Tammy that she can’t understand. The moment she meets them she has this unnerving feeling like she has finally found where she belongs. Tammy’s adventure gets even more interesting when Randy goes out on a “business” trip the next day with Mark and Ty, leaving her to defend herself in an unfamiliar area with Angel who introduces Tammy to her crush Charlie. The all-around funny guy Charlie is a dream to be around except for the fact that he has his own entanglement in the drug ring among other things. The moment of bliss turns sour when the boys return from their trip as Tammy finds out who she can really rely on and is faced with crossroads ahead. She finally finds the “family” that she has always wanted but it comes with a price. Will she self-destruct just to belong somewhere, or will she find another way to have it all?
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At first glance, this Young Adult story seemed rather superficial, typical of so many who have no real aim in life other than survival and trying to feel good. However, it graphically shows how easy it is to become addicted to narcotics. Opioids are a serious issue in today's world. Navigating through the teen years into adulting is very difficult. Most of us decide to do it on our own, without seeking help from those who have been down that path already, the previous generation.
I was surprised by the depth of the story and I was pleasantly shocked by the ending. This is quite a good story.
The scene-setting was good, not too much or too little. The characters really shined for me; they came across as quite real, with depth. The dialogue, inner and outer, was the best part of the book. I was drawn into Tammy’s world effortlessly and empathetically. The first person POV made a huge difference, I really appreciate the intimacy it provides. The mark of good writing on my score card.
There are a few steamy sections and many instances of drug use.
I enjoyed the story a great deal.
I award a score of 4.8 stars to “Fix”. 
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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Fix-Amanda-Gregory-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-fix 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fix-Amanda-Gregory-ebook 

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/manderz19 
https://amandagregoryauthor.com 
https://amandagregoryofficial.tumblr.com 
https://smile.amazon.com/Amanda-K-Gregory 
https://www.goodreads.com/author/Amanda_K_Gregory 

Tags: fiction, literary fiction, YA, road trip, addiction, romance

​Copyright © 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
55 Comments

Fateful Decisions                                                       by Trevor D'Silva

10/11/2019

33 Comments

 
Award winning author, Trevor D’Silva introduces us to his novel, “Fateful Decisions”:
A Wishing Shelf Book Award Finalist 2018
It’s 1915 in the heat of WWI. Two friends heading to England aboard the British ocean liner, RMS Lusitania, meet and fall in love with a charismatic woman. After battling for her affection, Rachel Williams makes her decision, beginning a journey that no one can predict or soon forget. For the next thirty years, Rachel is forced to live with the choice she made, as the dominos fall around her, sequentially.
Is there a sinister force at work? Who can Rachel trust? Will Rachel ultimately regret her decision when she learns how it impacted others?
Set in America and Europe, history and fiction intertwine, commencing with the sinking of Lusitania. Historical events like The Russian Revolution, Prohibition, The Great Depression and World Wars I and II also play important roles in the lives of the characters and the decisions they make to love, betray, forgive, and reconcile.
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At first, it seemed to be very plainly written, almost simple. After a few dozen pages I began to enjoy the genius of the writing. I grew to appreciate the writing style and how the story was weaving back and forth. A beautiful tapestry was being built before my eyes with glowing threads of joy and mysterious threads of tragedy skillfully filling the warp and woof. Just like real life.
It is no mystery why this book has won the accolades it has. They are well deserved. I love how the author blended so many important and earthshaking events into the story, it brought a flavor of realism that seldom is found.
Clarity is the secret ingredient in all aspects of this book. The action is plentiful, scene setting is perfect, every word has earned its place on the page. The dialog is pleasing also, harking back to a different age.
​I award a score of 4.9 stars to “Fateful Decisions”. 
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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Fateful-Decisions-Trevor-DSilva-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/fateful-decisions-trevor-dsilva 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fateful-decisions-trevor-dsilva 


You can follow the author: 
http://trevordsilva.com 
https://twitter.com/TrevorDAuthor 
https://www.instagram.com/trevordauthor 
https://www.pinterest.com/trevor_dsilva 
mailto:trevordsilvaauthor@gmail.com 
https://www.facebook.com/Trevordsilvaauthor/ ​

Tags: historical fiction, fiction, war, finance, romance, military, murder, adventure, suspense, thriller


​Copyright © 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
33 Comments

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