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The Earl And The Enchantress: The Enchantresses Book One By Paullett Golden

4/19/2019

Multi-volume author, Paullette Golden introduces us to her first volume in the historical romance fiction series, The Enchantresses, The Earl And The Enchantress:
Not all scars can be healed with a kiss.

Sebastian Lancaster, Earl of Roddam, harbors a family secret so dark he has forsaken marriage to hide the past. When fate introduces him to Lizbeth, he believes he has met his perfect match—a woman with whom he can share passion without commitment.

Lizbeth Trethow risks everything to follow her heart until Sebastian’s past returns to haunt them. Desperate to hide the blood on his hands, he sabotages their happiness. Everything depends on Lizbeth unraveling the truth and turning this villain into a hero.

This is the love story of Lizbeth and Sebastian as they battle metaphoric ghosts born of murder and enlightenment to be together

What a wonderful story! I have read a number of historical fiction romance stories and this is the best one so far!
Paulette does such a masterful job of weaving so many historical details into her story, it makes me think she has a time machine in her basement. She must have lived in the milieu for some time, because her knowledge of the age is encyclopedic.
With so much attention to detail, without being burdensome, her scene setting is impeccable! I feel like I was at the table with all the nobility. Her dialogue is witty and authentic. It all rings so true and natural. I laughed out loud quite a few times. The action is quite good also, even the steamy parts.
I award The Earl And The Enchantress a score of 4.9 stars! The score would have been higher, except for the handful of spelling errors I found. The errors have been corrected, so your reading will be smoother.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Earl-Enchantress-Novel-Book-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-earl-and-the-enchantress
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-earl-and-the-enchantress-paullett-golden
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/PaullettGolden
https://www.paullettgolden.com
https://www.facebook.com/Paullettgolden
https://www.instagram.com/paullettgolden

Tags: Regency romance, England, nobility, landed gentry, royalty

Copyright 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

19 Comments

The Void Within: The Cluster Saga Book One By Carlos Tkacz

4/12/2019

54 Comments

Independent author, Carlos Tkacz, introduces us to his debut sci-fi novel, The Void Within:
The 25th century. Humanity has discovered a new form of energy, the Source, derived from the very basis of life itself. Using this power to travel instantaneously through space, humans have spread through their corner of the galaxy and coalesced into two groups: the Coalition and the Inner Cluster. They are held in an uneasy economic and cultural relationship by their reliance on each other, the Coalition with the technology of the Source and the Inner Cluster with the materials to make it a usable form of energy. When rumors of conquest, political undergrounds, and alien contact threaten this balance of powers, it falls to three individuals to find the truth of the conspiracies swirling through their governments and to stave off a disastrous war. What they find in the process will change the course of humanity forever.

What an elegant meal, Carlos serves up in this story. This galaxy-spanning saga delivers a very satisfying six-course meal. There is military action, multiple planets of diverse kind, a touch of romance between enemies, and a hard look at the nature of mankind.
I have always promised no spoilers and this will be no exception; but it will be quite difficult to keep that promise. I don’t think I have ever picked inner dialogue as my favorite aspect of a book. This time, yes. I loved the action and the scene-setting was marvelous, not too much, just the right amount. I enjoyed the dialogue also, the characters stayed true to form.
The ending was fabulous! It caught me by surprise. It has been several decades since reading Asimov’s Foundation trilogy, I was reminded of that epic story while reading this tale.
I award The Void Within 4.9 stars! The score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/-the-void-within
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-the-void-within
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Void-Within-Cluster-Saga-Book-ebook
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/IWriteSciFi
https://www.facebook.com/carlosrtkacz
https://www.instagram.com/boulderbushido
https://carloswritesscifi.blogspot.com

Tags: space opera, military science fiction, metaphysical science fiction, FTL, faster than light, transhumanism

Copyright 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

54 Comments

Visitor’s Blood: Book one By Sahreth ‘Baphy’ Bowden

4/6/2019

35 Comments

Debut author, Sahreth Bowden introduces us to his first novel, Visitor’s Blood: When an alien craft lands on planet Earth, Maj. John and Dr. Connie Shinn are eager to learn about its all-too-human passengers. However, when the peaceful aliens are forced into further compliance, the Earthlings are thrown into an unimaginable battle against one of the passengers...a vampire. Unwittingly, the couple find themselves aboard the spaceship with its captain, Malook, and his vampiric companion, Sulru, as they head for Galdelier where they find the beautiful foreign world on the brink of civil war between the ruling humans and the malcontent vampires, strained under decades of subjugation. But amidst struggle, the lines between friend and foe can be easily turned askew. When you begin to question everything you once thought was noble or evil, where will you find your loyalties lie?

I really enjoyed this book! Sci-fi is my favorite genre and this hits my favorites in many ways! You have UFOs landing on earth, human-like occupants, a family, and – a vampire?! What are vampires doing in space? This book answers that question and many more you may not have thought of.
This book is written in first person POV, alternating with each chapter. I happen to enjoy the intimacy of that format a great deal. There is no head hopping, something I quite detest.
Sahreth’s world building is quite good, he delivers just enough for everything to make sense. I like how he incorporates so many different aspects right down to architecture and food. One thing that comes to mind for more interest, personally, is religion. What kind of religion would the vampires have, as well as the ruling class of humans?
I enjoyed the dialogue, inner and outer, throughout. The action was good also.
I give “Visitor’s Blood” a score of 4.3, it would have been a lot higher except for the large amount of spelling errors I found. However, your reading experience will be much smoother because the author has informed me the errors have been corrected.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/-visitors-blood
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Visitors-Blood-Book-One
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-visitor-s-blood

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/Baphy1428
http://baphy1428.com
https://www.facebook.com/VisitorsBloodOfficial
https://www.facebook.com/Baphy1428
https://www.instagram.com/baphy1428

Tags: dystopian fiction, abduction, aliens, first contact, invasion, slavery, rebellion
Copyright 2019 Mark Schultz except for the author’s introduction

35 Comments

Rise A Blood Inheritance Novel By M. Ainihi

3/30/2019

43 Comments

Multi-volume author, M. Ainihi, introduces us to the fantasy story Rise:
When Amanda Garrett stumbles across a strange artifact in the woods, she has no idea of the dangerous secret it holds. The teen soon discovers that she has unwittingly released Erol, an imprisoned jinni, and whether she likes it or not, they are bound together until death.
Amanda's life soon begins to spiral out of control and she finds herself orphaned, kidnapped, and thrust into a terrifying reality. Her captor is convinced that Erol knows the whereabouts of a powerful relic which has been hidden from him and he wants the pair to retrieve it. Still reeling from her loss, and hoping to be spared further pain, Amanda agrees.
As the pair set off on their journey and Amanda learns more about the existence of the realms and the magical beings which reside within them, the clearer it becomes that nothing is quite as it seems.
After Amanda discovers the power of the relic that her captor seeks, the only thing she knows for certain is that her true suffering has only just begun, because no matter how great the sacrifice, she can never allow the relic to fall into her captor's hands.

Rise is a fast-paced introductory novel to an alternate world where mundane humans are oblivious to the existence of the realms that separate them from other magical races.

When she feels the darkness closing in around her, Amanda is not sure if she can hold onto a single speck of light, and soon she comes to understand that some secrets are better left buried.

This is an exciting story, I really enjoyed reading it! I knew very little about jinni or genies before reading this book. Of course, I have seen Disney’s Aladdin and I recall hearing about 1001 Arabian nights, but that is about the extent of my knowledge.
The plot kept me on my toes, it was hard to put down. The dialogue was quite good, most of the time. I liked the scene-setting. The action was above average.
I give Rise a score of 4.5, it would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found.

The author has chosen this as an avatar.
You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Blood-Inheritance-M-Ainihi
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-rise
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Blood-Inheritance-M-Ainihi
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/m_ainihi
https://mainihi.wordpress.com

Tags: Teen, Young Adult, Sword and Sorcery, Fantasy, dark, Horror
Copyright Mark Schultz 2019 except for the author’s introduction

43 Comments

Weeds Beneath the Open Meadows By Anna Casamento Arrigo

3/23/2019

0 Comments

Multi-genre, multi-volume author and poet, Anna Casamento Arrigo introduces us to her memoir, Weeds Beneath the Open Meadows:
“The only mode my thoughts run in, though, is rewind. Never fast-forward and certainly never stopped. Thus the truth is my thoughts and, the facts are my experience, subjective, and still mine.”

Following the plight of a young Italian girl, Weeds Beneath the Open Meadows, is more than just a memoir; this book explores the relationship between the individual and truth, the effect of the past upon the present, and conflicting representations about love.
When Anna and her family leave their homeland due to her father’s nebulous business in the United States, she leaves behind crowns weaved from flowers, handmade dresses, and the ubiquitous poverty of the Italian countryside. Once across the Atlantic, Anna realizes that life in America is about possessions; possessing things as well as memories.
Blurring the line between an older past in the meadows and villages of Sicily, and a newer past in the concrete streets of New Jersey, Weeds Beneath the Open Meadows explores how a young girl learns the ways of America without letting go of Italy.
Blending the imagery of poetry with masterful prose, Weeds Beneath the Open Meadows explores the difficulties of assimilation, the loss of loved ones, and the discovery of the self.

This is a pleasant, mesmerizing memoir. Anna’s poetic vein runs deep through her story. Then something violent or unspeakable happens to her or a loved one and you are shocked awake. Actually, you could miss some of those incidents if you are not reading carefully enough, Anna doesn’t glorify them in the least.
Growing up bi-lingual because of the public-school education, she is forced to interpret for her mother at the most difficult times of life a person can expect to experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s colorful and provides many glimpses of life in a small Italian town, through the eyes of a young girl, as well as learning to cope in America.
I award this book 4.4 stars! The score would have been higher, except for the large handful of spelling errors I found.

You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Weeds-Beneath-Meadows-Casamento-Arrigo-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-weeds-beneath-the-open-meadows
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/weeds-beneath-the-open-meadows-anna-casamento-arrigo

You can follow the author:
twitter.com/CasamentoArrigo
https://www.annacasamentoarrigo.com
https://www.facebook.com/anna.casamentoarrigo
Tags: memoir, two-hour read, Italy, immigrant, immigration

Copyright 2019 Mark Schultz except for author’s introduction to the book

0 Comments

I’ve Always Loved Women By Rhani D’Chae

3/16/2019

76 Comments

Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Rhani D’Chae, introduces us to her short story I’ve Always Loved Women:
"Danny's life is changed when he begins a relationship with Kat, a woman trapped in an unhealthy marriage. When she decides to give her marriage another try, Danny realizes that his mission in life is to save women like her from the men who abuse them."

Cover on Amazon

Cover on Goodreads

This is a quick read when you have a short amount of time. It’s romantic, all about a guy who loves women. It’s horror, all the women he loves are abused in their current or previous relationships. Their pain and suffering causes him much sorrow and grief. His solution to protect them from the abuser is unorthodox and unacceptable in normal society.
I love Rhani’s writing, she has mastered wordsmithing and scene building. Her stories really draw me in and this is no exception.
I am not a fan of horror, some will take me to task for classifying it as such. Anytime human life is extinguished it is a horrific act in my mind. Yet, I loved this story, a testament to the author’s skill.
I give “I’ve Always Loved Women” a score of 5 stars, so well written and no spelling errors! Congratulations, Rhani!

You can buy the book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Always-Loved-Women-Rhani-DChae-ebook
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Loved-Women-Rhani-DChae-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40698180-i-ve-always-loved-women

You can follow Rhani D’Chae:
https://twitter.com/rhanidchae
https://rhanidchae.wordpress.com/

Tags: romance, horror, 30-minute stories, short stories

Other reviews of books by this author:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/shadow-of-the-drill-by-rhani-dchae
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/one-dyke-cozy-by-rhani-dchae

Copyright 2019 by Mark Schultz, except for the author’s introduction

76 Comments

Sweet Heart By Linda Lingle

3/8/2019

83 Comments

Multi-volume author, Linda Lingle, introduces us to the second volume in her series, Sweet Heart:
Heartbroken and resentful, Lee has a difficult time adjusting to his life without Deirdre and struggles to settle into his new surroundings. Knowing he made the only decision a father could make does little to lessen Lee’s profound sense of loss. Although he tries to be upbeat and optimistic for the sake of his daughters, in the dark and quiet of his lonely nights, Lee relives the fifteen heady months that he spent with Deirdre and gives free rein to the anguish and bitterness he feels because he was forced to leave her. Then, his youngest daughter enlists Lee to help her find an elusive Christmas gift for her favorite teacher and everything changes.

As if guided by fate, Lee stumbles across a poignant reminder of his time with Deirdre and sets in motion the 38-year ritual that eased his heartbreak and sustained his hope for the future.

In this companion book to Dear Heart, Lee describes the bittersweet lifetime he lives without Deirdre, introduces us to the people who populate his world, and reveals the shocking secret he promised never to reveal.

I enjoyed this story so much! When reading a sequel, I am always concerned that the book will not be as good as the first. In this case, it’s not a follow-up story, it is a parallel or companion story and it’s just as good as the first book!
The writing in “Sweet Heart” is the equal of Linda’s first book, “Dear Heart”; dialogue, scene-setting and action are just as charming! This first-person POV is just as entertaining as the first and is told from the man’s perspective.
While not providing any spoilers, I was particularly entranced by the ending of the story, it was so appropriate!
I am giving “Sweet Heart” a score of 5.0 stars! I found 1 spelling error, but the story is such a pleasure to read.

You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Sweet-Heart-Linda-Lingle-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-sweet-heart
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sweet-Heart-Linda-Lingle-ebook

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/lindalinglebks
https://www.lindalinglebooks.com
https://www.facebook.com/LindaLingleBooks
https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Lingle

Here is the link to the review of the first volume and interview: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/dear-heart-by-linda-lingle
Tags: romance, contemporary, historical
Copyright 2019 by Mark Schultz except for the author’s introduction

83 Comments

Rapier By R. A. “Doc” Correa

3/1/2019

48 Comments

Mr. Correa makes his Amazon debut with this book. I will let him introduce it to us, Rapier:
Kathy Masters never expected to journey to the stars until she was selected by the prestigious Galactic Geographic Society to photograph and get videos of the flora and fauna of a newly discovered class M planet before colonization begins. Filled with hope and enthusiasm she boards the S.S. America for the trip to Beta 3 Epsilon to begin her new project. On the way she is abducted and brought aboard the privateer Rapier beginning her nine-year sojourn among the colonies of mankind. Going from captive to slave to induction into the infamous Brotherhood Kathy finds herself being called on to raise the adopted daughter of the crew of the Rapier. Given the responsibility to raise their princess, Cindy, with the help of Lien Lan Yi, daughter of the house of Yi and princess of the imperial court, they travel among the stars preying on merchant ships, dodging Chinese warships, fighting pirates, visiting strange worlds and encountering fantastic creatures all under the watchful eyes of Commodore James Ulysses Black. Trying to raise a young girl among gunfights, sword fights, ship to ship battles, slave trades, deals and some of the most feared raiders in human space is no small challenge. The only question is is Kathy up to the task?

I loved this story! Science fiction is my lifelong favorite genre. I have read thousands of books in this field. This story was such a fresh take on the themes of space pirates and family obligations, it was a breath of fresh air.
Doc’s world building is impressive, but not overdone. I love the mashup of old-fashioned pirates and living among the stars. The action and dialogue drew me into the story so deeply, I didn’t want to put the book down. Scene setting left nothing to be desired.
The life-altering events that changed Kathy, Cindy and the entire crew are well played out.
This story was so much fun to read, I give it a score of 4.8 stars! The score would have been higher, except for the handful of spelling errors I came across.

You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Rapier-R-Doc-Correa-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-rapier
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rapier-R-Doc-Correa-ebook
You can follow Doc:
twitter.com/RADocCorrea
https://www.facebook.com/radoccorrea/
https://www.amazon.com/-ra-doc-correa

Tags: space opera, sci-fi, family, adventure, action
Copyright 2019 by Mark Schultz except for the author’s introduction of the book

48 Comments

Deadly Receptions: The Debut of Castlewood Manor By Veronica Cline Barton

2/13/2019

49 Comments

Award-winning, multi-volume author, Veronica Cline Barton, introduces us to the third volume in the “My American Almost Royal Cousin Series”, Deadly Receptions:
The stakes have never been higher for American heiress Gemma Lancaster Phillips, now firmly ensconced as both resident and employee of her ancestral estate, Cherrywood Hall. Together with her cousin Evan, 8th Marquess of Kentshire, and her boyfriend Kyle, the estate manager, Gemma wants nothing more than to pull off the royal wedding of the season while planning the premiere and U.S. tour for the period drama series, Castlewood Manor, and attending the Telly Tiara awards show. But an ex-love threatens Gemma's and Kyle's relationship, while the reveal of explosive secrets has the potential to shatter Gemma's relationship with her cousin and her future at Cherrywood Hall.

Jealousy and revenge mix with royal drama, power plays and scandal as the Tellys grow closer—with deadly results. Will Gemma, with the help of Scotland Yard, be able to put a stop to the mayhem? Or will the wedding, the tour, the Tellys—and Gemma's life—be ruined?

The story of the transformation of Cherrywood Hall into a highly popular British period drama, ala Downton Abbey, continues. The first season of the television series is completed and there are hints of awards being won in many categories.
Now, Gemma, Sir Kyle and potential award winners relocate 1/3 the way around the world for pre-award shows and celebrations.
I love the way Veronica weaves so many different elements into her stories. She is a star in her dialogues, the settings are marvelous and the action is easily visualized. I am enjoying her costuming and menus more and more. She makes me hungry at times.
The non-stop cross-country train trip was a lot of fun. The perfect setting for dastardly deeds, as used by another female writer in the past. The tension of traveling with an unknown killer was tantalizing!
I loved the story and the writing. “Deadly Receptions” gets 4.9 stars, the score would have been higher except for a handful of spelling errors.

You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp-deadly-receptions
https://www.goodreads.com/-deadly-receptions
https://www.bookbub.com/books/deadly-receptions-by-veronica-cline-barton

You can follow Veronica Cline Barton:
https://twitter.com/VClinebarton
https://myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries.com
https://www.facebook.com/myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries
https://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Cline-Barton
https://www.goodreads.com/author/Veronica_Cline_Barton
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/veronica-cline-barton

Here is the review of the first book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-crown-for-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton
Here is the review of the second book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/cast-crew-and-carnage-the-filming-of-castlewood-manor-my-american-almost-royal-cousin-series-by-veronica-cline-barton

Tags: mystery, suspense, traditional detective, cozy, murder, castle
Copyright 2019 Mark Schultz not including the author's blurb

49 Comments

Dear Heart by Linda Lingle

2/8/2019

78 Comments

Multi-volume author, Linda Lingle introduces us to her debut novel, Dear Heart:
Deirdre Reid and Hartley Tate feel an immediate attraction when they meet at the office where they will work together and fall in love. There is only one problem: they are married to others and Lee has four daughters to whom he is devoted.

For 15 months Deirdre and Lee carry on a passionate affair. Then Lee’s wife is offered a big promotion across the country. With his heart breaking, Lee leaves Deirdre in San Francisco and moves East with his family so his wife can advance her high-powered career.

Soon, unforeseen circumstances have Deirdre second-guessing her insistence on a clean break. She resists every impulse to fly to Lee’s side, but on the first anniversary of their parting, Deirdre grows increasingly regretful and melancholy. Then she receives a surprising Christmas present, which sets in motion a 38-year ritual that, against all odds, keeps alive the love she shared with Lee.

As their destiny unfolds, Deirdre and Lee dream about finding their way back to each other’s arms, and an unlikely guide emerges to light the path of their journey.

I wasn’t sure what to think when I started to read this book about marital infidelity. It’s written in first person POV, which I greatly enjoy, when it’s done right. There is no danger of head hopping in this story.
The more I read, the more I enjoyed this wistfully told tale. I lived in San Francisco and the bay area for a number of years and I felt right at home in the story. The scene-setting was delightful, action and dialogue were perfect. I laughed out loud more than once. My eyes got a little sweaty once or twice also.
This story was such a wonderful pleasure to read. I give “Dear Heart” a score of 4.8 stars, it would have been higher except for the small handful of spelling errors I found.