Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Review of Bad Call by Stephen Wallenfels

Bad CallBad Call by Stephen Wallenfels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! Fans of Nick Cutter's The Troop, Jo Furniss' All the Little Children, and The Lord of the Flies by William Golding will likely enjoy it, as well. The story takes place in my beloved Yosemite National Park. Three guys and a girl trek through the mountains, getting caught in the elements, fighting for survival. They must also survive each other, as character Ceo has a way of pushing others' buttons and they are all becoming unhinged. Ceo has set a pattern of events into motion and as each character slowly learns his motives, he may be setting himself up for danger. Character Grahame is the strongest, and perhaps the creepiest and most dangerous, and lone gal Ellie fears him. Colin seems to be the most rational of the group but he has been burned by Ceo, as well. It is an exciting fight for survival and only three come out alive.


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Friday, December 22, 2017

1884 No Boundaries: A Story of Espionage, and International Intrigue by A.E. Wasserman

Publication Date: April 29, 2015
Archway Publishing
Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook; 382 Pages
Series: Langford Series, Book #1
Genre: Historical Fiction
Love, murder, sex, and terrorism swirl within a collapsed world economy. No, it's not today. It's London, 1884. Recently married Langsford, born of wealth and privilege, is bound by the restrictions of Victorian society. Dynamite has been invented, but the term "homosexuality" has not and men can be arrested for either. Langsford accompanies his visiting friend, HEINRICH, eighteen, who innocently flirts with young ANNA at London's Leadenhall Market. What should be the end of the story becomes the beginning, for Heinrich falls in love with her, never part of the plan. Instead it becomes the catalyst for everything that follows when he flees Germany to return to her. Events unfold that expose terrorists, espionage and international intrigue.
Langsford walks a fine line as he crosses boundaries he never imagined, rubbing elbows with spies, killers and would-be assassins to save his friend, stop an assassination, and prevent a war.
“Wasserman’s writing is atmospherically rich. Very strongly recommended.” – Historical Novel Society, London, critical review of 1884 No Boundaries

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1886 Ties That Bind: A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed by A.E. Wasserman

Publication Date: November 3, 2016
Archway Publishing
Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook; 320 Pages
Series: Langford Series, Book #2
Genre: Historical Fiction
It is 1886 as Englishman Lord Langsford travels by train to San Francisco. Newly widowed, Langsford is desperate to escape his grief, demons, and life in England. As Langsford completes the last leg of his transcontinental journey, his life unexpectedly changes once again when he crosses paths with Miss Sally Baxter, a beautiful rancher who packs a pistol in her purse. Sally has made it her mission to find the men who robbed a train and killed her brother. Unfortunately, no one—not even the owners of the Southern Pacific Railroad—seem to care. Unable to resist her pleas, Langsford offers to help Sally and soon becomes entangled in a web of politics, corruption, and greed. As murder, threats, and attacks ensue that endanger both Sally and Langsford, influential men in both California and Washington, D.C. jockey for positions of power. Langsford, who finds himself oddly attracted to Sally, now must sort through criminals and politicians alike to discover the truth behind her brother’s death and prevent his own murder.
"The author has woven a complex net of intrigue and background to the murder that makes the entire book so much more than just a mystery. As the title appropriately states, this deals with issues of politics, corruption and greed in a very accomplished way. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Highly recommended." - Christoph Fischer, UK Reviewer Discovering Diamonds

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1885: Crossings by A.E. Wasserman

Publication Date: October 5, 2017
Archway Publishing
Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook; 142 Pages
Series: Langford Series, Book #3
Genre: Historical Fiction
Anna’s hand holding the letter trembled as her vision rocked, going in and out of focus. She felt as though she was falling backward and at the same time rolling forward, expecting to land face first on the floor. She put her hand on the table to brace herself. She no longer heard the song birds in the buckeye tree outside the window, or the hoof beats on the cobblestones passing the front door, or any sound at all. The world around her ceased to exist—only the paper with Henry’s written words: his own account of what happened during the past year. The entire time, she’d known he wasn’t telling her everything—but this—she could never have imagined any of it. The hard fact was, Henry will never escape the truth.
“1885 Crossings gives us another opportunity to return to the world of Henry, Anna, and Langsford. A.E. Wasserman’s writing is beautifully done—tense and uncomfortable. The ending gave me a chill.” -Chuck Sambuchino, Bestselling Author

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About the Author

The daughter of a newspaperman, A.E. Wasserman grew up in a household filled with books and stories. At age 14, she wrote her first novella and never stopped writing. She is the author of a new mystery/thrillers series, the first of which takes place in London: 1884 No Boundaries, A Story of Espionage and International Intrigue. The second in the Langsford Series, 1886 Ties That Bind, A Story of Politics, Graft and Greed, has just been released. Her work, critically acclaimed as “richly atmospheric,” is being noticed by readers and critics alike, and has garnered international attention, not only in the U.S., but Europe and the U.K. as well. She recently received top honors from Writer’s Digest for her work. After graduating from The Ohio State University, she lived in London, then San Francisco. Currently she resides in Southern California with her family and her muse, a Border Collie named Topper. For more information, please Visit the author’s web site at www.aewasserman.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Giveaway

During the Book Blast we will be giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on January 12th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Click Here to Enter: Langsford Series Blast 


Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Review of 15 Minutes by Larissa Reinhart

15 Minutes (A Maizie Albright Star Detective Mystery, #1)15 Minutes by Larissa Reinhart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Larissa Reinhart’s 15 Minutes is a shining star! Protagonist, Maizie Albright, is a young adult who has been forced to leave her Hollywood acting career due to a court order after she gets herself into some trouble. As an actress, she played the role of a detective and she now has her sights set on becoming a real investigator. She refuses to take private investigator, Nash’s, “no” for an answer and tags along as he investigates the disappearance of an affluent woman in Maizie’s home town. Then, a murder occurs and Maizie finds herself the target of threats. Maizie and Nash traipse through the investigation process, accumulating clues as to whom the murderer is. There is definite chemistry between Maizie and Nash and I can’t wait to see what the next book, 16 Millimeters has in store for us!


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Review of The Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb

The Last Time I Was MeThe Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always know when I pick up a Cathy Lamb book, that it will be a great time, and each character will become my best friend! Slipping into her books is like slipping into a warm bath--comforting and stress dissolving. The Last Time I Was Me was no exception. Jeanne is an angry woman, having just exacted well-deserved revenge on her cheating boyfriend (you will love her pet name for him!). She is facing a court case where her ex is suing her for everything she has. She has also just lost her job having snapped having given a memorable but unwelcome speech about her advertising profession. At her brother’s urging she drives toward where he lives due to a possible job offer. Along the way, she stops in a town and discovers she loves it, and decides to stay there. She also begins anger management classes with quite a colorful cast of characters. And of course, there is a love story involved, as well as an impossible situation that Jeanne must extricate herself from. You will love to follow along with Jeanne’s adventures and the hilarious dialogue will keep you in stitches!


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Review of The Choices We Make by Karma Brown

The Choices We MakeThe Choices We Make by Karma Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Choices We Make by Karma Brown beautifully portrays a long-standing friendship between two women, that ends in an ultimate sacrifice being made by one of them. Kate and Hannah have been friends since grade school and their families are close. Kate sees Hannah’s devastation at being unable to conceive a child and being disappointed when she turns to other options that do not pan out, such as surrogacy. Kate decides that she will be the surrogate for Hannah and her husband. However, Kate develops a condition that puts both she and the baby at risk. Karma Brown portrays the feelings of the characters so well, that the reader experiences these as the story unfolds. This book reminded me of the friendship between the characters in Beaches--that rare and deep friendship that is like sisterhood. This was my first book by Karma Brown, but I will be sure to read more as I greatly enjoyed this book!


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Review of How to Stay: A Hollywood Lights Novella by Katie Rose Guest Pryal

How to Stay: A Hollywood Lights Novella (The Hollywood Lights Series #4)How to Stay: A Hollywood Lights Novella by Katie Rose Guest Pryal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Katie Rose Guest Pryal has created a witty novella that explores the depths of familial and romantic relationships. Protagonist Miranda, a paralegal, has no time for the new lawyer, Mattias, hired by her parent’s law firm. She puts on a hilarious act of servitude around him until he realizes who she is. Instead of being angry with her, he offers her glimpses into his personal life, and allows her an escape in sharing his dog, as she is an avid animal lover whose living situation does not allow for pets. Miranda is a devoted daughter who shields her sibling from the fact that their mother is exhibiting bizarre behavior and their father is doing nothing to seek treatment for her. Miranda is a multifaceted character that the reader will fall in love with. Mattias is a more sensitive soul, and just what Miranda needs. I can’t wait to read more about their evolving relationship in Chasing Chaos: A Hollywood Lights Novel.


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Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Review of The Comfort of Secrets by Christine Nolfi (Sweet Lake #2)

The Comfort of Secrets (Sweet Lake #2)The Comfort of Secrets by Christine Nolfi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Christine Nolfi's Sweet Lake series! Book two, The Comfort of Secrets, is my favorite so far. Nolfi creates such lovable characters. The protagonist in this installment is Cat, a feisty lady who is trying to do right and prove herself in the business world all the while keeping an eye out for love. Ryan is a business partner who comes crashing into her life with a past that is full of secrets, most of which he is not even aware of. Their romance is strained by Ryan's mother's seeming unwillingness to let Cat or her family into her life. The story comes to a head when a man from Ryan's past comes into town, threatening all that Ryan holds dear. You do not want to miss this one, folks!

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Sunday, December 3, 2017

Review of The House on Rectory Lane by Stuart James

The House on Rectory LaneThe House on Rectory Lane by Stuart James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The House on Rectory Lane by Stuart James is a fast-paced novel placing the reader into the throes of terror from the get-go! A couple and their five-year-old son move from a bustling, crime-filled town to a small country town. The house they find seems to be too good to be true, probably because it is! From a strange man dragging a large bundle and dropping it into a pit, to phone hang ups, lights being cut from the outside, and a Jeep trying to crush them, the action keeps going until a surprise twist at the end. All is not what it seems! Readers of Ted Dekker and Dean Koontz novels will surely enjoy this feast of horror!


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