Hearts on Fire by Regina Puckett

Title: Hearts on Fire
Author: Regina Puckett
Publisher: Self-published
Read Type: Author Request
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You can purchase a copy of this book from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Kobo and iTunes
You can find out more about the author on Goodreads, Twitter, Amazon and her Website

Book Blurb
This story begins with a gorgeous guy dressed as Santa and a woman who has sworn off love.

Have you ever wanted someone to look at you and see who you really are? That's all Jordan has ever wanted, so when she
meets Samuel and the sparks fly, it's easy to become lost in the depths of his beautiful blue eyes. But something of her own past and what he is comes between them. Whilst she fights her attraction to him, Samuel is going to have to convince her that he does see her...really does see her.


Author Bio

Regina Puckett is an award nominated author for her short story, Balloon Wishes.

Concealed in My Heart is a Readers' Favorite Book Award Winner.

Claimed by Sin is nominated for 2014 Ellora's Cave Golden Ankh award.

Concealed in My Heart won runner-up in the international 2014 MARSocial Author of the Year Competition.

Borrowed Wings, has received the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval and a 5 star review from Readers' Favorite.

Her collection of poetry, Fireflies, won 2013 Turning Pages Poetry Book of the Year.

She writes sweet romances, horror, inspirational, picture books and poetry. There are several projects in various stages of completion and there are always characters and stories waiting for their chance to finally get out of her head and onto paper.


Review
Strong language: None
Drugs: None
Violence: None
Sexual content: Mild, implied

I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an unbiased review.

Jordan, a young woman helping out at a Christmas party for children at the fire station, just can’t keep her eyes off the Santa. But really, a sexy woman eyeing up a man in a white beard? Is she after a sugar daddy? Then Santa looks over, the piercing eyes instantly stealing her.

This was a fairly short novella, yet the characters and situations were all very well developed. Initially Jordan’s friend, Katie, frustrated me no end with her childish ways. I was concerned that she may be the protagonist of the novel, but the Santa, soon made his opinions known. His name was Samuel, a young man just wanting to give back, my ideal romantic hero.

The novella developed quickly, the events were intense and kept my attention. I particularly liked that, despite the fast pace, Regina Puckett never stopped adding bits of emotion, sparks of romance, and other emotions into the mix.

I can’t say much more about the plot without spoiling it, but at times it was heart wrenching, so much going wrong for a young couple, yet the perseverance paid off. Nevertheless, Samuel had his work cut out to convince Jordan that he wasn’t a bad man for her to be with. There was no doubt she had feelings for him, but he also had an aspect of his life that she had thoroughly sworn off. Despite that, overall this was lighthearted. I hope to read more of the author’s work in the future.

I would not classify this as a Christmas novella, despite the initial theme. It covers an extended time span, and is suitable for any time of year.

This is a clean novel. I would say is suitable for people who do not like graphic sex as well as for young adults. My listing above classifies it more thoroughly, but there is little more than kissing involved.

This novella left me with a smile on my face.

The 411
this was a short novella that I read in one read. It was enjoyable with well-developed characters. The emotions were placed well, and the action pulled it along quickly, making it feel like it had the potential to be a full novel. This was a really enjoyable break from life, and despite being initially based at Christmas, I think it is suitable for any time of the year.

I give this a 4.5 adjusted to a 4 for reviewing sites.

Unworthy (Unworthy 01) by Joanne Armstrong

Title: Unworthy
Author: Joanne Armstrong
Series: Unworthy 01
Read Type: Author Request
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You can purchase a copy of this book from Smashwords and Createspace (in print)
You can find out more about the author on Facebook and her Blog

Book Blurb
“What about the Sickness?” I ask more calmly, turning back to the wide ocean and squinting, as though I can see particles of disease like pollen in the air. “Is it still out there?”

He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “Now that is a more interesting question.” It’s clear he doesn’t know the answer, but looks at me speculatively. “If you assumed it was still out there, circulating, what would you do?”

“I suppose I would do everything I could to prepare myself to fight it.”

He nods thoughtfully. “Preparation is always a good thing.”

We stand for a moment in silence, looking out to sea. I’m imagining a black cloud approaching, like a swarm of locusts, and wondering how I would prepare myself to fight a disease.

Nearly two hundred years after a killer disease swept the planet, an island nation continues its isolated survival due to the ruthless dedication of the military. The laws and culture of the country are based on the survival of the fittest, distrust of disease, and tight control of the general population.
a
Marked at birth as “Unworthy” to be raised, a young woman questions the necessity for the cruel practice, so many years after the Isolation was declared. She embarks on a journey which will uncover truths about her past and about her society which she could never have imagined.


Author Bio

Previously a full-time primary teacher, I have fifteen years of teaching experience with students of various ages from 7 - 15. I currently teach one day a week and spend the rest of the time either with my two children or writing.

My parents tell me they always knew I'd write a book one day, which surprises and delights me, since I certainly didn't know it myself.

A New Zealander by birth, my formative years were spent in some interesting places, and I completed my B.Ed in Art and Education at Cambridge in the UK. I now live in the South Island of New Zealand, which, after close scrutiny of a few other places as a child, I have decided is simply where my soul resides. I get to wake up to the sound of bellbirds every day.

Unworthy is my first novel and I intend it to be closely followed by my second.

Review
Strong language: Some, mild
Drugs: None
Violence: some
Sexual content: None

I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an unbiased review


Imagine you live in a world that was ravaged by a sickness that killed off most of the population. The military of your land isolated it from the rest of the world to protect your people. For a long time you lived feral, wandering the land, fighting and killing at will to survive.

Then the Polis come along and set up hubs, polis controlled communities, where you get food, shelter and medicine, as long as you put work in to bring in your share of food, clothes, medicine and other essentials. There are rules, many are required to spend time working as the Polis, and there are severe punishments for those who disobey rules. But if you toe the line, it's an easy life and safe from savages and disease.

That is unless you are one of the Unworthy…


The weak are heavily frowned upon in the country, and few that show symptoms of illness survive their first night. This is not due to poor care however, but a harsh and ritualistic checking of babies. After a vaccine is admitted, any that show illness are then left out in the cold in the wild for the night. Not only must the baby survive the weather, but also the wild animals. Even those few that do survive, assuming the continue to survive, are ostracised by society.

This is what happened to Arcadia as a baby, now she takes it upon herself to do what little she can for those like her. While she may not be able to wrap the babies up without leaving a trace she can at least ensure wild animals are kept at bay, all while risking her own hide if what she did was discovered. Her grandfather, her carer, has brought her up to believe there are no limits to what she can accomplish, and she sure lives up to this!

Yet catastrophe strikes and a Polis soldier turns up on her door in the same day demanding she go with him without explanation or goodbyes. Her world is shattered. How much of what she has been taught, of what has been drilled into her, is real? Can this soldier be trusted? And can she escape, because you sure don't get called to the City for a pat on the back!

Most of the book is about the journey to the Polis headquarters, one that has to be made in secret, without even the knowledge of their own troops, causing a round-about and difficult route. Meanwhile, Arcadia is constantly trying to find ways to get away from her guard dog, Captain Alex Hayes. To head for the mountains, across the plains, or just pick the route he'd find the hardest to track. Yet, despite the endless travel the story never gets boring, there is always danger, and the soldier, who Arcadia slowly becomes closer to, shatters everything she thought she knew of her world, piece by piece.

As much as she tries to ignore it, feelings for this dangerous man are brewing, and she has no idea what to do.

A climactic ending with a massive cliff hanger, I hope to see the sequel soon,

Danger, adventure and a complex world. This reminded me of the dystopian segregated set up of the world of the Hunger games, mixed with the complex world building and people control of Brave New World. While I've yet to read the Divergent series from the blurbs I can see where people who say there are similarities are coming from.


The 411
A well built and thought out dystopian world, while it clearly takes ideas from other books it add plenty of its own, making a unique scenario. The story is fast with adventure, danger, discovery of the world and emotions running rampant. At times I would have liked the story to slow down a bit to allow me to digest the latest revelation, but the pace kept up the element of danger.

While this novel is aimed at the Young Adult market, it manages to do so without talking down to the reader, and I think adults will find plenty of interest here.

Overall a good all rounder, with an ending that compels me to want to read the sequel.

I give this novel a 5

Six Tolls of the Bell and Other Mystery Stories by Marco Barbaro

Title: Six Tolls of the Bell and Mystery Other Stories
Author: Marco Barbaro
Read Type: Author Request
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You can purchase a copy of this book from Amazon UK and Amazon US
You can find the original Italian versions in the following:
The Chosen one in "7 Storie all'imbrunire" (Amazon Italian)
The ring and the swamp" in "Storie all'imbrunire Vol. II" (Amazon Italian)

You can find out more about the author on his Twitter, Facebook and Amazon Profile Page
The Italian Publishing house TRAGOPANO Edizioni has also written about Marco here

Book Blurb
This book contains three stories:
The Chosen One
The ring and the swamp
Six tolls of the bell


The plots

Slowly regaining consciousness in a gloomy, damp room hidden in an old and mysterious mansion, the chosen one awakens as his nightmares are just beginning. Why did this macabre cult choose him? And what terrible fate awaits him?

Morass and swamps. A terrible secret lurks in the depths of the murky water. What mysterious creature roams the rural woods and mangroves?

An old ritual is performed at the top of a campanile, the highest observation point of a little village. Father Cornelius has hidden the story for years, but now the time has come for him to reveal the terrible secret that, every night of the full moon, threatens to eradicate all who innocently live in the small town below.


Author Bio

Marco Barbaro (1976) was born in Mirano, Italy, and dedicated his spare time during the first thirty-three years of his life to work, family, music, sports and computer programming.

In 2010, he discovered the power and beauty of writing.

Between singing lullabies to his son and changing diapers, he's written nearly seventy short (and long) stories, two of which were honored in the "La Biblioteca d'oro" and "La Bussola Letteraria" 2011 literary contests. His collection of eight short and long stories was chosen as a finalist entry in the "Jacques Prevert 2012" contest.

In 2013, he wrote a short comic tale which was published in the anthology "77 Fiabe Buffe". He continues writing new stories today, several of which are being translated into English.

Feel free to share your ideas, reviews or ask questions by sending an email to Marco at marco.barbaro (at) gmail.com


Review
Strong language: once
Drugs: no
Violence: mild
Sexual content: no

I received a free copy of this anthology from the author in return for an unbiased review

Six Tolls of the Bell and Other Mystery Stories is an anthology written from Italian by Marco Barbaro and translated into English by Andrea Pakieser


The Chosen One
4 stars
A good start to the collection, the character's point of view displays his confusion and potentially drugged state well. There is tension throughout the story. It ended well, slightly uncertain of what the future held for the character.

I particularly liked the word choice in some situations, for example "making his muscles fibrillate"


The Ring and the Swamp
3.5 stars
We meet Jack, a man clearly slightly unhinged, with a penchant for dumping women's bodies in the swamp! As if he wasn't wacky enough there is a supernatural undertone to the entire story, fascinating to read. The descriptions were well placed and kept the pace of the story, while the flashes of something other than Jack out in the swamp were brief and believable as just a crocodile… or were they?

This slightly longer story snagged my attention and kept me reading, but I did feel the last section where everything was revealed weakened the story a little, I'd like to have seen it left in uncertain territory, I think.


Six Tolls of the Bell
3.5 stars
This story is told mainly to a sceptical priest, in a small group of selected men, many of whom would rather be in bed at this late hour than in a hushed up meeting to hear what is surely the ramblings of an old man who's lost his sense of reality a bit.

I felt that the characters not listening simultaneously made the story being told feel less important, but also gave a sense of foreboding. Would they realise in time the truth of the matter or would lives be lose because of them?




The 411
I felt overall this was a good first effort in English by Marco, sometimes phrases were awkwardly put, I'm not sure how much of this was in the original Italian copy and how much was through the translation. At times I came across a word I would never have thought of using for a situation, yet if I'd consulted a thesaurus this would have been near the top of the list. Most of the time I felt these added a unique take that perfectly captured the moment, but a couple left me bewildered for a moment.

I look forward to seeing his future efforts.

Rating a translated book is always difficult as it is hard to tell how much of those little things that bother you are the story itself and how much are the translation. When doing the individual ratings I kept them as one, but as an American translator translated this, not the author, I'll judge what I think the Italian version would read like (if only I could read the language).

For the original stories I give a 4
For the translation I give a 3
Overall I give this anthology a 3.5 and adjust it to a 4 for reviewing sites.

The Orb of Chaos (Vol 1): No Rest For the Wicked by M. Ray Allen

Title: No Rest For the Wicked
Author: M. Ray Allen
Series: The Orb of Chaos (Vol 1)
Read Type: Author Request
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You can purchase a copy of this book from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Smashwords, B&N and a signed paperback from the author
You can find out more about the author on Website, Facebook, Indieview Interview and Goodreads

Series Blurb
The Orb of Chaos follows a group of adventurers that are thrown together by fate to stop the world from being devastated by those that would use the Orbs power.

Book Blurb
No Rest for the Wicked (Book 1 of the Orb of Chaos series) begins the story by showing how the group comes together after a demonic king named Nicholas DeVanya manages to collect the pieces of the Orb of Chaos after it was scattered two thousand years ago. Despite their differences, they have to find a way to work together to stop Nicholas from using the Orb to raise an unstoppable army and slaughtering their home and everyone that lives there.

Author Bio

Raised as a Navy Brat, I grew up living all over the United States. While born in Oklahoma my family lived in Bermuda, California, Texas as well as a few other places in between. After High School, I attended the University of Oklahoma to be closer to my extended family and close friends – The Clarks.

During my time at OU, my friend, Mark Blauser, and I stayed up one summer night drinking and talking about our favorite adventure stories (he’s a Tolkien fan). I shared this tale with him and (to my surprise) he loved it. We were up until 3-4am talking about it before I finally crashed. The next day he came over (waking me from a hangover) and forced me to tell him the story again, but this time he brought a tape recorder and insisted we find a way to get this on paper.

So began the tales of Sol and Oather. It’s taken a long time to pull it together, but it’s finally done. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I have but don’t fear, there’s more to come. This was just the beginning…

Royalties Donation
100% of all author royalties from the sale of this book will go to help Genesis Women's Shelter of Dallas, TX. http://www.genesisshelter.org/

Genesis Women's Shelter Mission Statement:
To end the epidemic of domestic violence against women and children by stopping individual victimization and reducing the devastating impact of family violence through safety, shelter and expert services to battered women and their children.

We are committed to preventing violence by raising the level of community awareness regarding the pervasiveness and effects of domestic violence.


Review
Strong language: Some
Drugs: None
Violence: Yes
Sexual content: None

I received a copy of this novel in return for an unbiased review.

Set in a world that knows of magic, elves, wizards and monsters, this is a fun romping adventure with a group of eclectic characters who begin the story alone, but slowly work their way into one group to fight the greater evil before them. You have young men on their latest madcap scheme to get rich – or die trying; a wizard; an elf; a knight in training; a priest; and an assassin.

The book is split into short, pithy chapters, each one through a different point of view as these characters are introduced to us, seemingly going about their own business.  Slowly the reader discovers the connections between these characters as they join forces, sometimes planned, sometimes by necessity. At first I found the repeated switching a bit disorienting, but there were soon fewer groups to keep track of and it ceased to be a problem.

Out of all the characters I feel the young man, Sol, is the leader of any group he is in. between him and his friend and shadow, Oather, they often take charge of people with more experience, making use of the natural chemistry Sol spreads. Oather feels like Sol's right hand, always there to agree, and do whatever Sol suggests, even if he internally disagrees, despite his much larger body-frame. He could almost be considered an extension of Sol in some scenes, just adding a backing vote to the latest madcap proposal. Nevertheless I liked the young man.

Then, of course, there are the bad side to consider. Nicolas, a demonic king who's mad to the bone has the adventurers trapped in a realm with him where the Gods have made it impossible for anybody to leave. Downtrodden and wary villagers meet the free, soon chasing them off after a slight misunderstanding causes the deaths of several. Nothing to worry about!

At first Nicolas has some of the characters held hostage for one reason or another. One character who really stood out was a young priest, Halistan, who is lucky enough to have a fabled healing article with him at the time of his kidnap. This really shows his emotional and moral stand as he heals other prisoners he can't even see for no discernable gain of his own.

Nicolas himself is a fascinating character, I was never sure how much of what he said was the truth, how much a lie, or how much he'd just convinced himself of over the years. I've read a vast amount of fantasy, science fiction and folklore, yet every time I thought I had him pinned for what he was and what he could do he'd surprise me yet again. He's many generations old, as are his few staff, adding a sense of time and more reason for his madness and desperation.

Despite all the differences, as Nicolas plays his trump card the group manage to pull together for one cause, even if they decided to do it in vastly different ways. You have minds from the realms of "I must do the lords work" and "it is my duty to protect one and all even when they are trying to kill me" to "well, as he's dead he won't mind me taking his jewellery and any other titbits"! some hold their cards close to their chests until the very end, leaving me surprised at where they stood.

Stylistically  felt the writing would have benefitted from more tagging of speech so we knew who'd said what, and use of active voice during explanations to make them more engaging. On the other hand, I particularly liked the way humour and sarcasm were used to break up complex explanations and longer fight scenes.

I think this could be considered a light epic fantasy, it had the wide world and social hierarchy of the Hobbit without designating half a tree worth of paper to telling the history of a race we only meet briefly, or making my fingers itch for a dictionary of the places and characters in the world every couple of pages.

This book has a solid ending, I felt all the major plot points were covered with no urgent cliff hangers making me feel I have to rush out to buy another book to see how it ends. However, there were several parts that left the story open for continuation, not to mention the massive changes in the lives of several of the characters. I shall look forward to reading the sequel when it is out and returning to this world.

The 411
This was a great easy to read fantasy to get away from the world with. The eclectic groups of characters left me plenty to love and a few to love to hate! The writing moved at a good pace and was imaginative.

The ending left me satisfied, but room for more adventures in the world.

I give this novel a 4.5 adjusted to a 4 for reviewing sites.

Leap into the Knight (Romantic Knights Series 01) by M.J. Schiller

Title: Leap into the Knight
Author: M.J. Schiller
Series: Romantic Knights Series 01
Read Type: eARC
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You can purchase a copy of this book from Amazon UK and Amazon US
You can find out more about the author on her Blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Google+, Amazon Author Page and Goodreads

Series Blurb
After saving Princess Megan of Bethyea from the hands of an evil ruler, Darius and Orion's lives will never be the same. Through a series of adventures they become close. Facing off against bad guys will do that to you. But in the end, when the mastermind is revealed, will they be able to overcome the evil stacked against them?


Book Blurb
Sir Darius Lee is a Knight of the High Order.
But when Darius discovers a stranger in his room in the middle of the night, and the intruder turns out to be a beautiful woman, he begins to question how he is meant to live his life.
Princess Megan of Bethyea is being held captive.
But when two knights help her to escape and bring her back to her home planet, she finds the home she knew no longer exists.
When The Council of Twelve questions Darius about his relationship with Maggie, she tries to flee from The Academy of the High Order to prevent him from losing his knighthood.
Will Darius and Orion find Maggie before she leaves Albion? And if they do, how can they face the decision of The Council? And what about the feelings Orion has developed for the princess?


Author Bio

MJ is a lunch lady in the heart of Central Illinois. My gosh! Can you get more folksy than that? She met her husband at the University of Missouri-Columbia and now she has a nineteen-year-old (how did that happen?) and seventeen year old triplets! She loves to read, karaoke (where she can pretend she is a rock star) and spends WAY too much time on Facebook. She grew up in St. Louis and still has family there.




Review
Strong language: Some, mild
Drugs: None
Violence: Yes
Sexual content: Yes

I received a free copy of this novel in return for an unbiased review.


Darius, a knight of the High Order, is sharing a suite with his apprentice, Orion, while waiting to speak to the people who kidnapped the princess he is there to free. He’s woken in the middle of the night by a sound, his spidey-senses tingling. He gets up but decides against getting his laser sword and…hang on—laser sword? I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto!

This is a space age novel where chivalrous knights still rescue fair maidens and protect the universe, but it is also a novel looking at societies and how romance can affect a person to the very core.

I liked the tension created by the princess that they were there to rescue being under the very nose of the knight, hiding in his quarters, while she herself was unware of Darius’s intent. A frantic chase ensues when the slightly bumbling Orion crashes into the room, laser sword primed and held aloft as he charges into the fray thinking he is helping. This was a great way to show us some of the abilities of the knights, as well as give us a flyby of the palace and grounds and an overview of the technology present in the story.

In general, I also liked the switching between points of view, largely between the three main characters, because it gave information more quickly than a conversation could. However, at times point of view seemed to change every few paragraphs, which I felt broke the emotional connection to the story. The more we get to know the characters, the more I felt the book was character driven as opposed event driven, which disappointed me when the characters came off underdeveloped.

I enjoyed the plot so if I was reading this as relaxed beach read, I would have been satisfied. However, as a lover of the written word I found the writing was often phrased awkwardly, I would have liked more internal monologue or use of show don’t tell to express how character felt as opposed to it just being stated. For me this did drop my opinion as well as the rating. It's a shame, I felt a brisk brush from an editor to remove these extra phrases and build more three dimensional character backgrounds would have made a great improvement.


The 411
Plotwise this was a fun adventure and romance with the characters often feeling like teenagers in their first serious relationship. However, the writing was mediocre,  it felt stunted, and I would like to have seen it cleaned up before editing.

I did enjoy the world and hope the author takes the time to clean up the rest of the series before publication. I would like to see more of this world she has created

For the plot I give a 4
For the writing I give a 3

Overall, for this novella I give a 3.5, rounded to a 3 for reviewing sites.

My Prison Journal: Volume 1 by John Smith

Title: My Prison Journal: Volume 1
Author: John Smith
Series: My Prison Journal
Read Type: Amazon Freebie
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You can purchase a copy of this book from Amazon UK and Amazon US
The publisher communicates through an intermediary, so getting a message to Smith is difficult at best. Should you have a comment for Smith contact GGA Publishing on garrymgraves@gmail.com

Book Blurb

This is a true story. John Smith (an alias) robbed a bank and was sent to prison for 10 years. This journal represents his prison experiences along with his innermost, personal thoughts. Reading books is Smiths’ only escape from reality. He claims to have read 185 books since his imprisonment in mid 2009. The publisher left the journals narrative without paragraphs, in hope of representing the hand-written notebook paper his manuscript composed. Smith says writing paper is valuable in prison and he must use all space available.

Smiths’ journal entries are sad, compelling, and introspective, providing the reader insightful, perhaps teachable moments of human behavior in an adverse environment.

Review

Strong language: None
Drugs: None
Violence: None
Sexual content: None

This short book is a collection of real life journals from a man in an American prison, starting a long sentence. The layout is unusual in that each entry is made up of one large paragraph as this is how it was written when sent to the publisher due to lack of paper to write on. I think this aspect, while strange to read at first helps you to immerse yourself in what life in like inside.

"John Smith", an alias to protect his loved ones, is clearly an educated man who ran his own business. When things went sour he asked a friend for help. This volume doesn't go into detail as to what happened, but he has ended up with an estimated twelve years incarcerated.

At first I had little compassion for the man, it's easy to look down on somebody when you're not in their situation, but much of his writing was based around missing his wife and kids, parents and friends. As you read of him anxiously awaiting a letter, or a couple of dollars to buy extras to make life easier you soon realise he is a family man who likely just ended up out of his depth. At times I felt sorry for him and angry at relatives for being so cold, while I knew nothing of their side.

The 411

This is a short but compelling read. What spelling mistakes he'd made were left in to keep these journals purely him. At times it got repetitive as in every entry he waited for the same things, but I think this just epitomises the repetition of prison life in hindsight.

I give this 4 stars for immersion into his world

Full Moon Rising (Trilogy of the Wolf 01) by J.A.J. Hutchisson and J.L. Hutchisson

Title: Full Moon Rising
Author: J.A.J. Hutchisson and J.L. Hutchisson
Series: Trilogy of the Wolf 01
Read Type: Indie Author
Stars: With more if I could!

You can purchase a copy of this book from Amazon UK and Amazon US

You can find out more about the authors on Facebook and their website. I am also excited to be doing and interview with them in the near future

Book Blurb

"Somewhere in this world, there is a man who can protect her. What I saw told me that he is the only one who can. I do not know what this man looks like, nor do I know his name. What I do know is that this man is a werewolf."

When Constin Sal Tamind, an Elder Priest in Heartfield, hears this prophesy about his daughter, Olesa, he does what he thinks is right and flees with her. With an approaching army blocking his route out of Heartfield, Constin goes to a friend of his that may know a way out of the city.

Constin, Olesa and a few close friends make it out of the city, but that is where the trouble begins. The group gets split when bandits attack their camp. Constin is then thrown into a desperate search to find and rescue Olesa. He only hopes he can find her before something terrible happens.

Review

Strong language: Some
Drugs: None
Violence: Graphic
Sexual content: None

I received a copy of this novel in return for an unbiased review

As the novel opens, picturesque like an old movie, a priest is called to visit the resident seer. The shocking news he receives, that his daughter is in great danger and only a werewolf can protect her, sends him reeling. No way is he letting a vicious man-eater near his little girl, despite the seer's protests of the necessity, and differences in this wolf. Soon he is on the run, taking with him the woman he hired to care for Olesa when he could not, another priest, and a brothel owner and his son. They hire a woodsman to get them through the forest and hope to find shelter beyond.

Soon things go awry, the prophesy has started, leaving Olesa in danger and separated from the people she loves.

This story mixed strong characters and locations that jumped off the page to draw you in from page one. This left the start, particularly the tension of everything going on, a bit weak in places, but this soon kicked up into stints of action heroes and exploration. Amongst these we had a priest and a hardened man of the woods swapping roles in who was the better man, amazingly written grief that tugs at your heart and characters being pulled together without their knowing it. The emotions, I felt, were the real drivers of this story, and gave a good few kicks to the gut along the way.

I was particularly taken with the character of Draikin, a strange, silent man who unwillingly agrees to walk this mis-matched group of women, children, priests, and men of less savoury occupations, through a dangerous wood, trying to keep his distance. Soon however he finds himself risking everything repeatedly to keep them safe, and in return learns not everybody takes you at face value. Nevertheless, he still has the roughest ride of all of them in my opinion, but he was the shining star of the novel.

I felt the major fight scenes, in particular the first one with untrained vs. very trains opponents was a weak spot in the story. This for me was because while the authors had spent much time making sure every bow and parry of the POV character was shown, and often glimpses of thoughts on why, there was very little emotion. He could have been a brainwashed fighter, but I know this is a very hard aspect of writing to balance.

As the story drew on and groups joined and parted, whether because they were taken or chose to do something else, it was interesting to watch the group dynamics change as to who led and who slipped into the background.

Prisoners rarely escape their prisons, whether they are actual or imaginary. If they can find a larger purpose to live and use it as a driving force, a prisoner will get much farther.

As for the young girl, Olesa who this prophesy was based around I felt she was handled very well. There were times when she was kidnapped, times when she was presumably naked or in very bad condition. Many of the New York Times best seller's authors would have tried to make an outcry by using this as a suggestion of sexual attacks or looks. The authors of this story however, knew where that line was and elegantly kept away from it without leaving any suspicious fade to black scenes. I was very impressed.

Finally, we come to the werewolf of the story. I cannot say nearly as much as I would like about this creature without giving spoilers, but I felt it was a very deep character with a mission buried so deep it its soul it could not think, only react. I was elated to read the scenes when it triumphed, and crushed on the occasions when it seemed all was lost.

All I can say about the ending is it was a real shocker. I think I know where the story may head next, but left as it was, I was dumbstruck.

The 411

I'm in a good mood, this was a fantastic book, with the only issues I could find being related to subjects even the best struggle to achieve. I love the characters, the flow of the plot and the emotions relayed across the page.

Of course, seeing a bad priest get his comeuppance was a bonus. Hmm, a priest who isn't as holy as he seems, imagine that!

I would give more than 5 stars if I could!

The Anti-Matter Chronicles 02 - Sky Elf by P.G. Thomas

Title:Tranquil Fury
Author: P.G. Thomas
Series: The Anti-Matter Chronicles 02
Read Type: Indie Published
Stars:

You can purchase a copy of this book from Amazon UK and Amazon US

 Series Overview

In Book one, Tranquil Fury, Lauren reluctantly accepted the role of Earth Daughter, and led the remaining elf and dwarf characters, as well as her friends, south in search of Mother’s children.

If they did not leave, the increasing presence of the black-clad army would trap them in the Ironhouse Mine, and all would be lost. Their only guidance prophecies
from the now absent Earth Mother, but none wished to talk of the words she spoke. With the help of her brother Logan and the strange creature IT, they threaded their way through the enemy controlled lands, and black-clad forces, which were larger than they anticipated. As they attempted to use stealth to find passage to the free lands (if there were any left), their worst nightmare was realized. Is it too late to save the world?

Book Blurb

Now Lauren, her elf Earth Guard, the dwarven Ironhouse Brothers, and Ryan, who mysteriously appeared when the threats had disappeared, are stranded in the enemy occupied territory. And the hunt is on for Zack, John, Eric the Champion of Tranquil Fury, Mirtza, and her brother Logan. And should they find them in time, the black-clad army presence is increasing, and the whereabouts of Mother’s children that fled the plague hoax, is still a mystery.

Review

Strong language: Some, mainly mild
Drugs: None
Violence: Yes
Sexual content: None

You can read my review of the first book of The Anti-Matter Chronicles, Tranquil fury.
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author in return for an unbiased review.


This novel continues precisely where Tranquil Fury left off, jumping straight into the action, and getting to grips with the cliff hanger the previous book was left on. I feel because of this, and the pace of much of the book it is important the reader has read the previous instalment already.

I felt overall this book was much smoother and flowed better, mixing scenes of action with explanations, as opposed to the longer explanation we saw in some places in book 1. I was instantly engrossed and it held my attention well, particularly through the first half. A rescue, increased danger as they were forced to stay put, followed by a long arduous trek, risking their necks several times a day.

Eventually a village slash fort was found where they holed up to recover and regroup. They had found what they were looking for, a chance at salvation with people, but were these the people they sought? I felt at some points during this the book stalled or got off track, going into technical descriptions, politics and minutiae. Nevertheless there was more than enough to keep my attention turning the pages.

I felt the characters were stronger than the last book, they grew and drew me in, learning about themselves as some developed powers and others had to overcome their prejudices and become stronger people for the group as a whole to survive. As in the last novel the elves, dwarves and humans each have their own way of talking, I found it easier to keep up with this time, but in a few situations, particularly high action scenes I got elves and dwarves mixed up for a little while.

The 411

Overall I found this a fast paced and entertaining adventure novel with a good mix of themes. It had some minor issues with confusion but these were always cleared up before I felt the desire to put the book down. I feel this has a great setup for the final novel, Blood Bond, and look forward to reading it.

Series rating: 3.5
Sky Elf rating: 4