Book Review and Giveaway Link: Covenant (The Samsara Chronicles Book 3)

The danger, romance and action begins to pick up in book three of this engaging series.

Covenant (The Samsara Chronicles Book 3) 

by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley

• File Size: 147 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: eXtasy Books (May 25, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0086FP8TE

Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 25, 2012
Pursued by increasingly violent Eletarii minions, Aislinn and Dylan acquire the first and most important talisman necessary to open the celestial gate.

Targeted by Eletarii minions, Aislinn and Dylan are guided to acquire the crystal skull, the core of Aislinn’s past and future power. After a terrifying encounter with the dark forces while spending Christmas at her parents, Aislinn and Dylan accept the perilous journey ahead of them.

Review:
The action begins to pick up in this book three of the series. 
Aislinn is clearly able to see auras around her now and has close escapes from Eletarii attacks.  She stumbles onto the crystal skull which is a source of power intended for her. She also picks up a music box that seems to be special as a gift for Dylan.

Dylan is opened minded to Aislinn’s explanation of her continued danger and the fact that their connection was planned. The light spheres and voices appear to Dylan affirming his involvement.
Aislinn and Dylan make a Christmas visit to Aislinn’s parents who were the characters from Book 1.  Unfortunately the enemy elementals attack at the farmhouse and drive Aislinn and Dylan to leave rather than risk more danger to her family.

I appreciate that Dylan’s character is more developed in this book. The reader learns more of his background in addition to his charm and strength. The reading continues to flow easily and I like that the mission is explained more fully and the action picks up in this volume. I am ready to read book 4, Itineras, to see what dangers Aislinn and Dylan will face next.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aislinn recognizes the importance of Dylan in her life:

But for now, the most important factor of all was that he brought her hope. She would no longer have to struggle alone, fearful of what the next day might bring. Location 291

I am reviewing this series for the authors through Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours.

~ ~ ~ KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book and The Samsara Chronicles are teaming up to give you a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

Here’s how it works:

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour.  If your blog isn’t set up to accept the form, we offer another way for you to participate by having people comment on your blog then directing them to where they can fill out the form to gain more entries.
This Kindle Fire promotion will run from June 1 – August 31. Winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on September 1, 2012.
Each blogger who participates in The Samsara Chronicles virtual book tour is eligible to enter and win.
Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour.
If you would like to participate, email Dorothy at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com. Last day to sign up is July 27. What a great way to not only win this fabulous prize, but to gain followers and comments too! Good luck everyone!

Click on the graphic below to find out how you can win!

[If the picture link doesn't work, go to this page].

~ ~ ~WIN $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE ~ ~ ~

One lucky person who comments the most on The Samsara Chronicles’ blog stops will receive a $50 gift certificate. The blog host who receives the most comments through the tour will also receive a $50 gift certificate!

Book Review: Nadir (The Samsara Chronicles Book 2) + Kindle Giveaway Link!

The mystery continues to build.
Nadir (The Samsara Chronicles Book 2)
by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley

• File Size: 139 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: eXtasy Books (May 25, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0086FP9AC

Genre:Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 25, 2012

The fate of a besieged Earth rests on Aislinn and her soul mate, Dylan, to battle the alien Eletarii bent on conquering humanity.

Aislinn, directed by circumstance to meet her past and future soul mate, Dylan Young, begins to understand the daunting task awaiting her. In order to save Earth, she and Dylan must open the portal, the celestial gateway that will allow salvation of Earth's chosen. Facing opposition at every step from a world plunged into chaos, they have until midnight, December 31st, to reach their destination.

Review:
This is the second book in the Samsara Chronicles series. Although it picks up where the first book ends, it doesn’t review much of the first book but seems to assume that the reader has read book 1. This book is all about introducing the reader to Aislinn and Dylan and briefly explaining their mission.

Aislinn is a survivor who moved from her parents’ farm (book 1) to go to college and then get a job in the city of Vancouver which, even with much destruction, has fared better than many cities that have been reduced to rubble by earthquakes, fires, drought and uncontrolled looting. Aislinn has always had her own private light bubbles to comfort her in times of stress. Now she learns from her bubbly light friends that she is "the bearer of the light", a chosen leader. The warm, comforting lights explain that Aislinn must run and hide to be kept safe from the enemy, the Eletarii, who are actively seeking to kill her. The Eletarii presence is growing and they will do whatever it takes to stop Aislinn from saving Earth.

Aislinn also learns that the police detective, Dylan, who responded to the break in at her home is another 'chosen'. It is implied they had a past together and that they are intended to be together to help save the Earth although the battle and plan of salvation are not yet fully explained. I liked the calm strength of both Aislinn and Dylan.

The authors set the scene in the devastated city, including many devastated lives that have sunk into extreme depravity. It is ugly and shocking. There is some bit of telling through the light beings rather than showing through action. Yet the story is engaging as it builds.  This book only lays a foundation for the continuing story. There is much yet to be developed in the characters and the plot and I am interested to learn more in the next book.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An example of description that I liked:

Misshapen snowflakes resembling gray tufts of cotton candy rained a dismal veil. It seemed ironic that the frosty blanket would soon smother the drought-scorched land... Location 645.

I am Reviewing this series for the authors through Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours.

This is set in Vancouver and I will add it to my ARC challenge List.

~ ~ ~ KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book and The Samsara Chronicles are teaming up to give you a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

Here’s how it works:

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour.  If your blog isn’t set up to accept the form, we offer another way for you to participate by having people comment on your blog then directing them to where they can fill out the form to gain more entries.
This Kindle Fire promotion will run from June 1 – August 31. Winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on September 1, 2012.
Each blogger who participates in The Samsara Chronicles virtual book tour is eligible to enter and win.
Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour.
If you would like to participate, email Dorothy at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com. Last day to sign up is July 27. What a great way to not only win this fabulous prize, but to gain followers and comments too! Good luck everyone!

Click on the graphic below to find out how you can win!

[If the picture link doesn't work, go to this page].

~ ~ ~WIN $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE ~ ~ ~

One lucky person who comments the most on The Samsara Chronicles’ blog stops will receive a $50 gift certificate. The blog host who receives the most comments through the tour will also receive a $50 gift certificate!

Book Review: The Claimed by Caridad Pineiro

This is an exciting story and strong romance.

The Claimed (Sin Hunters)  
by Caridad Piñeiro

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446584606
• ISBN-13: 978-0446584609

Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Sin Hunters (Book 2)

THE CLAIMED

Victoria Johnson loves her life. She's her own boss in a quaint beachside town, and has great friends who keep her grounded. If only they knew who she really is: an heiress to an ancient race who possesses astonishing superhuman powers. It's Victoria's duty to restore her clan of Light Hunters to their former glory by choosing the perfect mate. In Christopher Sombrosa, she just may have found him. Strong, smart, and successful, Christopher exudes a powerful energy. Their connection is sensual, irresistible-and forbidden.

A member of the Shadow Hunter clan, Christopher has defied his own father to lead his people away from affliction and violence. Yet he cannot ignore his duty to carry on his ancient bloodline. Stunningly beautiful and brimming with an erotic life force, Victoria is everything Christopher ever hoped for in a mate . . . but as a Light Hunter, she's his mortal enemy. Together, they could unite their warring tribes. But murderous factions on both sides don't want peace-and they'll stop at nothing to keep light and darkness apart forever . . .

Review:

Victoria is a lovely character. She is strong and caring. She has to balance her personal life with her duties as a business owner but most importantly as a future leader of her Light Hunter clan.  Victoria will soon be coming into Equinox, the biological time during which she must mate or her powers will be weakened and her whole clan will be diminished. On the other hand she needs to be careful who she selects as a mate. Her parents have been forced to acknowledge that the mate promised to her as a child is no longer available. Now she must get them to agree to allow her to make her own choice.

Christopher is an equally wonderful character of strength, fairness and goodness. He is he son of the Anaru, Alexander, the leader of the Shadow Hunter clan. The Shadow Hunter clan has been deceased and weakened with the deadly pox because they have denigrated to feeding off other Hunters or humans. Unlike his father though, Christopher and a small following of their clan have been purifying their bodies by returning to the ancient ways of feeding only from natural elements. While Alexander looks for a powerful Light Hunter as a feeding energy source Christopher thinks perhaps he could become allies with the Light Hunters. He is convinced that they can survive and thrive if they purge the sickness and the bad feeding practices, even if it means he will have to fight his own father.

Victoria and Christopher have a glimpse sighting of each other that sparks interest but they don’t pursue a connection until a second encounter. Then the sparks begin to really ignite even as they realize that they are from enemy clans. The forbidden friendship--or more--is difficult enough but there are jealousies and traitors who will fight the possibility of a merger of Light Hunter with Shadow Hunter. Can they learn to trust each other? Will they survive to protect each other?

Ms. Pineiro has developed a fascinating world of superpowers and internal conflicts. I was immediately engaged by the characters and the plot. There are some likeable secondary characters as well as some really unpleasant wimps, traitors and nasty characters.  There are conflicts, obstacles and plenty of action to give this a good pace for entertaining reading.

I was a little wary of the level of sexual heat from this author.  I am pleased to say that the encounters between Victoria and Christopher are highly sensual and, although pretty detailed, they are loving and in no way lewd. There is one female enemy who is close to a succubus and I found her actions rather offensive but suitable to her character.

If you like your stories hot and intense with lots of conflict, excitement and heavy romance, this author and book fit the bill!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Isn't this what every romantic female looks for? 

Even though her biological clock was ticking, Victoria would not let that alone determine her fate. She wanted a partner for the future. Someone who would share her joys and her sorrows and help to lead her people. But more important, someone she could love. Page 39.

Thank you to Caridad Piñeiro and Pump Up Your Book tours for this book to review. Please see the Author Q&A post for a chance to win this exciting book.

This is set in Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey, for my Where are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC challenge list.

Book Review: Eos (The Samsara Chronicles Book 1)

This novella introduces a science fiction good v evil series.

Eos (The Samsara Chronicles Book 1)

by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley 

• File Size: 130 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: eXtasy Books (May 25, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0086FP934

Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
Blending elements of futuristic, fantasy, science fiction and the paranormal, the Samsara Chronicles explores the duality of good and evil set against two worlds, Earth and Nirvana.

Guided by mystical beings, a human mother bears a daughter of alien royalty, Aislinn, destined to champion the future of two worlds.

Review:

This is a short novella and I will be reading and reviewing all 14 books in the series over the next 12 or so weeks. In the first book, we meet Sienna and Blake, a loving couple in their early 40s. They live on a 10 acre farm and although they had always longed for children they were never able to have any naturally or through assisted efforts.   They are not young lovers, but they are still enamored and the story begins with a sensual dream that results in warm lovemaking that is private and not described. There are several sensual encounters that are tastefully presented. They may seem prominent because this book is so short, but the story goes beyond the lovemaking.

The initial encounter is to set the story for the series as the activity results in an unexpected pregnancy. Harmonious voices and lights appear to Sienna as the Antiquitas, the ancient keepers of knowledge. They let her know that her daughter, Aislinn, is a chosen child to save the world in the future.

The writing has an easy flow and I enjoyed the descriptions and the anticipation set up by this story. The characters are nice although not deeply developed. After the birth of the baby the book shifts 26 years to the future where the world has been devastated by World War three. Another child, Angelica, is introduced as a ‘sister’ preparing to meet Aislinn.

This is an interesting set up, to have this many novellas set out separately. This first book is only 50 pages. It is engaging and I am interested in where the story will go. There are some scenes that are not pursued, like the sighting of a white wolf, and it will be interesting to see if this is picked up in future books. Also there are some typos and at least one scene that didn’t seem consistent in action. These are probably more noticeable because of the brevity of the book.

Pleasant description:

Stately evergreens flanked the driveway, their feathery branches already laden with a veil of white. Location 160.

Devastation:

Above the cries of the wounded and dying, a tolling bell solemnly lamented man’s legacy–now crushed and broken between the dust and rubble that had become the domain of vermin. Location 520.

I received this from the Author for review as part of Pump Up Your Book Tour.

I will add this to my ARC and New Author Challenge lists.

Launching Today: Allergies, and Awesome You

Do you have a child with allergies? Can you imagine life allergy free?

The AmazingAllergist will show you how!

Allergies, and Awesome You: Believe You Can Get There Too!

This book, through a life story of an allergic child, will empower you and your children.

Allergies, and Awesome You” is a part of the AmazingAllergist’s Awesome Series that empowers allergic children to live and lead great lives, allergy-free. It is a by-product of the author’s extensive medical knowledge, vast experiences as an allergy specialist, and the desire to make a difference, one allergic child at a time.

Learn more here - http://amazingallergist.com/book/

About the Author

Atul N. Shah, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI, is a celebrated author of this AmazingAllergist book series, founder of www.AmazingAllergist.com, and the medical director of www.Center4AsthmaAllergy.com. He is a board certified allergist who has earned an honor of fellowships in both the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

He has personally treated more than 20,000 patients, made a significant impact on more than 100,000 lives as an allergist so far, and earned the nickname “AmazingAllergist” from his patients and peers. His work is rewarded daily with numerous compliments of smiling patients and their families. He has been recognized with various awards, including the America’s Top Physicians’ Award, the Patients’ Choice Award, and the Most Compassionate Physicians’ Award. He believes that every allergic child and individual has a potential to live a great life, allergy-free. His desire to empower allergic individuals translated into this series of books.

Meet the Author

Buy the book - http://amazingallergist.com/book/

Join our online community

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmazingAllergist

Twitter - https://twitter.com/LifeAllergyFree
 

~ ~ ~ WIN A FREE KINDLE FIRE! ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book Tour and the AmazingAllergist are giving away a FREE KINDLE FIRE! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to win! This giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canada citizens. Deadline is June 1 and announced on June 2. If you are the winner, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife (at) gmail.com or Tracee Gleichner at tgleichner (at) gmail.com. You have 48 hours to reply. If we do not hear from you in 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Thanks and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Feature and Giveaway: I Want To Help: My Story About Cancer, Depression, and God

Tom Laresca lives in New York with his wife and three children. Currently working as a foreign stock trader, he attended college at St. John’s University. Laresca enjoys playing sports and weightlifting.
I Want to Help: My Story About Cancer, Depression and God is his first book.
You can visit his website at http://iwanttohelp1225.com.

ABOUT I WANT TO HELP: MY STORY ABOUT CANCER, DEPRESSION AND GOD

Tom Laresca lived an average life in a quiet American town: a good job as a stock trader, a wife, a family, a beautiful home. Then in 2001, his life changed.

While living in Boca Raton, Florida, Laresca explains, “I was wrongly arrested and abused by the police. I had been an athlete in high school and college, and had never been in trouble with the law before or since in my professional career as a stock trader. I was put into intensive care, due mainly to being maced for thirty minutes while being pinned down, handcuffed and hogtied. These events all happened in front of my own home in an exclusive gated community.”

Following the assault, Laresca says his main focus was to get the charges against him dropped. “For years, I spent time and money on lawyers to make this happen. The police wanted me to sign a pre-trial intervention (PTI) document, which would make the charges go away but with me assuming part of the guilt. But I didn’t want to do that; I wanted them to admit what they did. I spent years fighting the PTI.  Even though the charges finally went away, I never found out what happened, and the police were never questioned or investigated. This all took lots of time and money, and I had to miss work.”

During this period, Laresca was diagnosed with cancer in three parts of his body and faced the grim possibility that he might only have three months to live. After his treatment and recovery, he then fought a battle with depression.

“Something told me to write about it.” he says. “I wrote the book in one night, sent it out to publishers, and went with the first publisher who answered.”

The book, I WANT TO HELP: MY STORY ABOUT CANCER, DEPRESSION, AND GOD, is a tiny book which, as Laresca says, “is written with the sole purpose of helping others overcome any struggles they may be going through. Not that everyone will go through something as severe as I did, but I believe that most people at some time are struggling with something.”

“The book begins with me learning I had been diagnosed with cancer in three parts of my body. I recount what it felt like to receive the news from my doctor, coupled with the grim possibility that I may have three months to live. I talk about my hospital stay, my fight to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, but most of all spiritually.

“Next, I tell of going through chemotherapy treatments and on to recovery, only to be brought down by what I can only say was crippling depression. I go on to thank God for getting me through all this. Because the truth is that God brought me through it all, and He is waiting to help you with anything you are going through.”

Laresca remembers that as a child, he read Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking. “There were two things that stuck with me: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ and ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Those helped me through everything, and I use this [philosophy] every day.”

At twenty pages, I WANT TO HELP: MY STORY ABOUT CANCER, DEPRESSION, AND GOD is so short, Laresca says, because he worked long hours, had three kids, and not a lot of time. Still, he adds, people who have read it tell him that it’s helped them in some way, and that he’s heard that grownups have given the book to their children.

These days, Tom Laresca is much more relaxed, especially now that he’s written the book. “If reading it can help just one person,” he says, “I’ll be happy.”

My Death

The final part of my book I believe is incredible but true. It deals with death, my death. What makes it even more incredible is that it came at the hands of the police right in front of my own home. I have 3500 dollars worth of intensive care bills from that night and I also took a lie detector test to help prove what I say is true. I had owned a home in a wealthy development in Boca Raton Florida. I moved back to New York for six months where I have lived most of my life to start a charity for single moms. I was doing it with Leonard Marshall form the New York Giants and Vice President of the NFL Lem Burnham. When I returned to my home in Florida I was unaware that there had been an armed burglar in our development and police were hired to stay there to find him.

      

On the night of the incident I went out my backyard which was situated on the golf course I went for a little run and as I returned to my home five police officers came running down my block and shouted at me to stop. I had no idea what they were doing there but I immediately stopped. They ordered me on my hands and knees I was completely confused there had never been police officers in our development we had our own security Wackenhut. I saw one of our security guards and I told him to tell the police that I lived here. I was approximately 10 feet from my front lawn, the lights in my house were all on and I pointed to my house and told the officer I live here. He shouted again for me to get on my hands and knees you see they thought they had the burglar and I had no idea what was going on. Before I knew anything else I was pepper sprayed my face felt as though it were on fire soon after an officer from behind me stripped down my shorts. I was now naked in front of my own home with my face burning like mad. Now the officer pulled his gun on me and pointed it directly at my chest and said “I’ll shoot” I said go ahead. At this point I had had enough he said it again  “I’ll shoot” and put the gun closer to my chest, so not knowing if he would or not I pushed his gun down. I know in retrospect it wasn’t the brightest thing to do but how would you feel if this happened to you right in front of your own home?

   

I put my hands behind my back and they put handcuffs on me. The officer then ordered the security guard to go behind the building and said he would take care of this. They placed me in the street and laid on top of me I figured he was now going to get even for making him look foolish again I know pushing his gun down wasn’t the wisest thing to do put I had no idea they would take the punishment to the extent to which they did. They began pepper spraying me nonstop for what seemed 20 minutes, I have the security guard Santiago Diaz sworn testimony stating he heard me screaming “You’re killing me” and “I can’t breathe” for what he said was a half an hour. After awhile of them pepper spraying me I could barely breathe my lunges weren’t getting any oxygen I turned to the officer and asked are you trying to kill me? He responded “yes”.

  

I realized then he wanted me dead and buried along with the embarrassing part of me getting his gun down. I felt I only had a few breaths left and I knew he was for real he wanted me dead so I decided to take as a deep a breath as I could get and hold it put my head down and pretend to be dead so they would get off me. I did it and it worked but as he rose from my body and thought I was dead this horrible man patted my shoulder and said “good”. I felt the blood boil inside me and couldn’t control my mouth to which I said ah you a#%hole you can’t kill me. I was wrong as he got back down on me and began pepper spraying me again till I could no longer breathe. I remember dying and what death was like I also remember coming back to life. I am sure that that officer checked to make sure I was dead this time only to be sure he wouldn’t be made a fool of again. What I say is the truth and I am offering the proceeds from my book as a reward if that officer Sergeant Klaus will take and pass a lie detector test about that night. So please help me prove the truth that I was dead thank you.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR A PAPERBACK COPY:
1. Leave a comment about this guest post OR why you would like this book.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Two total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 11, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on May 12 with 72 hours to complete the winners' form.

Book Blitz and KINDLE Giveaway! Unconquered by J.D. Davis

Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley 

by J.D. Davis

 Hosted through Pump Up Your Book Blog Tour

In 1935 and early 1936, three cousins were born into tight-knit families in Ferriday, Louisiana. Rare piano talent, strong parental relationships, the Pentecostal church, family struggle, and a variety of musical influences worked together to produce men who changed twentieth-century music and culture. The individual stories of these three cousins illustrate their varied paths from small-town America to a world stage. Woven together, the collective story becomes even more compelling and amazing.

UNCONQUERED is a story so unlikely that it would not be believable if written as fiction. It tells of rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, and country music star Mickey Gilley. These very different men, raised in the same time and place, with similar talents, were fated for entirely different destinies even as their lives would always be profoundly intertwined. Born into poverty, each man, in his own way, would become an iconic figure blessed with the ability to thrill and inspire.

The story's touchstones of music, perseverance, and faith could wield such force only in the American South. There, in the Louisiana lowlands’ Concordia Parish, their story began in the midst of the Great Depression.  

About J.D.Davis

J.D. Davis was raised in Quitman, Texas, a quiet community in the northeast part of the state. Having grown up in a small town in the rural South—similar in many ways to the cousins’ hometown of Ferriday, Louisiana—with many similar influences as the cousins, he has meaningful insight into these three men.

Davis attended the University of Texas on a full academic scholarship, received a B.A. with highest honors in economics, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He later received a master’s degree from SMU.

As a successful businessman, Davis achieved the highest credentials as an actuary and became a principal in a large firm while still in his twenties. He currently manages an employee benefits consulting practice that covers the southern region of the United States, with offices in four cities.

Davis remembers his father watching Jimmy Swaggart on television and being intrigued by the evangelist's magnificent piano talent. As a teenager, Davis became a huge fan of Jerry Lee Lewis. He first attended one of Lewis’s live performances as a college student and was awe-struck to see this man put on a breathtaking performance. Davis grew up listening to country music of the seventies and eighties, when Mickey Gilley was consistently producing number one country hits. He became fascinated by the ways these three very different cousins achieved and dealt with eventual success and has been a dedicated fan for years.

Davis has worked with a talented team of many. His editors included Elizabeth Kaye, an award winning journalist who has often written about southern music and southern preachers. As a contributing editor to Rolling Stone, she interviewed Sam Phillips and gathered firsthand experience of Jerry Lee Lewis when covering sessions at which he played with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Roy Orbison. As a contributing editor to John Kennedy’s George magazine, Kaye wrote extensively about Billy Graham and his son Franklin, traveled on several missionary trips with Franklin, and worked with ABC’s 20/20 to produce and write a major Billy Graham profile.

You can visit his website at http://www.unconqueredthebook.com.
Visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UnconqueredTheBook
Visit his Twitter page at https://twitter.com/Unconqueredbook

~~~ WIN A FREE KINDLE! ~ ~ ~

J.D. Davis will be giving away a FREE KINDLE!  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to win!  This giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canada citizens.  Deadline is June 1 and announced on June 2.  If you are the winner, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife (at) gmail.com or Tracee Gleichner at tgleichner (at) gmail.com.  You have 48 hours to reply.  If we do not hear from you in 48 hours, another winner will be selected.  Thanks and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: The Canker Death by James R. Bottino

This unusual, well written fantasy left me with mixed feelings.

The Canker Death

by James R. Bottino

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 836 KB
• Publisher: Septimus Press (August 22, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005IOMWPY

Genre:  Fantasy
My Rating:  3.0 of 5.0

Product Description

When the reclusive, cynical systems administrator, Petor Fidelistro, discovers that one of his own servers has been cracked late one night, he makes it his personal business to track down the perpetrator. What his search uncovers thrusts him, unaware, into a mad shifting between worlds, time and alien minds.

Fighting to keep his grip on reality, and forcing him to cope with his past, Petor finds himself uncontrollably transitioning between sentient minds that range from semi-conscious to dominant, from beings whose bodies and identities he can control, to those who control him so fully as to be unaware of his presence. As the story unfolds, Petor gathers clues in a twisting mystery that sends him shifting between the mourning child Nanzicwital; the golem giant Faskin; the lascivious, female ambassador Desidia; and Nokinis, an insane prisoner with whom Petor battles for mastery of his own memories. As he struggles to make sense of what is happening to him, Petor finds himself embroiled in the tumultuous upheaval of a ubiquitous society that transcends life, itself.

Review:

This is a well told and interesting story but I never figured out where it was heading or more importantly the end purpose. Let me address the positives first. The story is nicely written with very good flow and a good mix of action with some philosophical musings. The characters are delightful, especially the protagonist Petor and his four distinct and unique alien hosts (each identified in the blurb above). Also Petor has three good friends in his adventures. These are Faith, a human like female, with whom he is infatuated; Arrs, an almost human like male, who is the bold warrior and his female host’s (Desidia’s) lover and protector; and Pencha, another fierce creature, a mix of gorilla and black cat, who was once an enemy but is at times a friend. Then there is the very evil puppet master against whom the others, as a “counsel”, fight. The puppet master may be compared to Satan as an almost all knowing malevolent entity who manipulates those he touches to cause hatred, strife and even the massacre of whole species.

All of this is quite engaging but I had problems. The book is very long at 8476 in Kindle mode compared to a 419 page novel of 3846 pages on the Kindle. Even though I enjoyed the characters and found the story interesting I kept wondering where it was going and what was the point. I pushed through because I was committed. Petor has a past history of a few years in a mental asylum and I at times wondered if he was imagining all of the fantasy in a madness mode. I was glad that wasn't the explanation. There is a final confrontation with the evil one and maybe I was disappointed because I didn’t like the outcome. But the real problem was I didn’t understand the purpose.  Then again, maybe it was just an entertaining story that had an ending that I didn't like because it didn't make sense to me..

Even if a story is merely for entertainment, I like it to have an understandable resolution. This story seemed to be trying to make a statement: about our souls, our perceived religions, or perhaps on one’s lack of control in life. There are brief discussions of politics (like krytocracy - rule by judges), religions and reincarnation. But in the end I didn’t get it. At best it seemed a message of no hope: “There was no hope, and there could be no hope.” location 8476. That is unsatisfactory to me. I admit, as an attorney my brain is pretty pragmatic rather than creative and although I liked the fantasy, I was confused on where this ended. Perhaps other readers would get more from this, which seems the case from the good ratings that can be found at Amazon. Perhaps if I was willing to read this a second time, (which I can’t say I am at this time), I might understand more. Unfortunately, when I finished this long book after four days, I was left flat and disappointed.

 Thank you to the author and Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours for this book to read and review.

Book Review: The Lonely Mile by Allan Leverone

If you want a fast, full-on action thriller, check this out!

The Lonely Mile 

by Allan Leverone

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 1402 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: StoneHouse Ink; 1 edition (July 18, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005DAX06I

     Genre:  Thriller
     My rating:  4.5

Product Description
When struggling hardware store owner Bill Ferguson witnesses a kidnapping in progress, he reacts instinctively, breaking up the crime and saving a young girl. But the kidnapper, a sociopath known as the “I-90 Killer,” escapes and vows revenge, targeting Ferguson’s own daughter as his next victim. Now one terrified father must unravel a plot that may go much deeper than he realizes, racing against time to save his only child from an unthinkable fate.

Review:  The suspense never stops in this thriller.

Bill Ferguson is the hardworking owner of two hardware stores, struggling to make ends meet. His wife left him for a dentist with a stable income.  He has a wonderful teenage daughter who is beautiful, smart, and athletic.  Bill was once a serviceman so he has sharp reactions. When he realizes that a man is kidnapping a teenage girl he instinctively steps in to stop the crime. He saves the girl and is cheered as a hero.

Unfortunately his actions have caused the I-90 Killer to focus his attention on Bill and his lovely blond daughter. Bill is working with FBI Special Agent Angela Caufield to decipher any clues. The FBI think a letter threat is just a scare but they provide Carli with extra protection at home and school. But the killer wasn’t bluffing and he slips by the defenses and snatches Carli.

Now Bill must push through his memory for clues to find this maniac before Carli is killed; or before the maniac abuses her and sells her into slave trade as the FBI agent suspects.  Can Bill rescue his daughter in time? Are there other forces working against his rescue attempt?

The story is presented third person from different views which keeps it moving fast.  It jumps right into the evil world of Martin, the twisted kidnapper. Then moves to Bill at the rest stop as he perceives the kidnapping.  There are points where the reader is following these two, Carli or the FBI agents as the action continues.  This gives really good emotional involvement as well as keeping the suspense and tension ratcheted!

The reading is easy which is nice for an intense thriller. It reminds me of a James Patterson suspense.  There were a few editing items I would have corrected but they didn’t detract from the all out action and suspense. If you like thrillers I highly recommend you try this story. I definitely  want to read more from this author.

xxx

Thank you to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotion for the opportunity to meet this fine author.

Book Review and Giveaway Package: The Fear of God by B.A. Chepaitis

I enjoyed the intense suspense in this series.

The Fear of God: Jaguar Series by B.A. Chepaitis

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Wildside Press (March 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434430731
• ISBN-13: 978-1434430731

    Genre: Sci Fi
    My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
On Planetoid Three, Jaguar Addams enters the minds of criminals. She lives in the shadows of their fears . . . and chases them into the light. The followers of the Revelation Sect are preparing for the Second Coming. Stockpiles of weapons were found when federal agents stormed the home of the fanatical leader, Sardis Malocco. Now Jaguar must resort to using a virtual reality environment of Heaven to get to the root of Sardis's fear of God-before Revelation's zealots unleash their own apocalypse upon the world . . .

Review: The author does a grand job of building suspense through the last pages.

Jaguar is trained to work with criminals on a penal planetoid. The goal is to discover their deepest fears, make the “patient” confront them and hopefully then begin to rehabilitate them to return to society as a productive citizen.  Jaguar is also an empath and she is often able to use her skills to reach the patien” when normal means are ineffective.  Because of her success rate, Jaguar’s superiors allow her some leeway although the public sentiment does not favor using or even acknowledging empathic skills.

Jaguar is assigned to address the case of Sardis, a cult leader who has already allowed members of her ‘family’ to blow themselves up with bombs on the children. Her superiors have determined that the best way to reach Sardis’ fear of God is to place her in a virtual reality (VR) Heaven.  Jaguar doesn’t like working with religious zealots and she doesn’t like working in the VR environment. However one of Jaguar’s close friends, Rachel, has been infected with an unknown toxin by Sardis’ collaborator, Philo.  Getting Sardis to reveal her secrets may be the only chance to save Rachel.

There are a lot of threads in this short but intense story. Sardis is a hard case as she is so lost in her self made delusions.  Philo has escaped and has the ability to mold his physical aspect to appear as another person so he is slipping around the system as one guard and then another. One of the FBI agents, Claire, who brought Sardis to the planet is seducing Jaguar’s boss, Alex. Meanwhile Claire has secretly, and against Alex’s instructions, placed monitors on the VR system.  The VR program begins to have problems and Jaguar has to cope with an infuriatingly obscure retrojection version of herself in order to get clues to peeling the layers into Sardis.

This is book two in the Jaguar series.  Although it can be read as a stand alone I think you get a better picture of the primary characters and the setting if you read the first book, The Fear Principle. The reader has to wade through a small amount of techno jargon but you can catch the gist an move on with the meat of the story.  I really liked how this book reveals more of the complexities of Jaguar’s intense personality, as well as the complexities of her relationships with Alex and Rachel.  I also appreciated the twists and high level of suspense that kept me moving to find out what happens in Jaguar’s race to stop the apocalypse plagues set up by Sardis.
Again, I would like to read more about Jaguar and Alex and I look forward to more books in the series.

###

Thank you to Pump up Your Book and the author for this book to read and review.  Also I am pleased to host the Giveaway of one package of both books to a lucky US commenter.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Visit the Author's Website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on August 12, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on AUGUST 13 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: The Fear Principle by B.A. Chepaitis

This is a solidly entertaining, complex, suspenseful sci fi.

The Fear Principle (Jaguar Adams) by B.A. Chepaitis

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 510 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Wildside Press (March 14, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004S81HK2

     Genre: Sci Fi
     My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
Dr. Jaguar Addams knows about fear. On a satellite prison called Planetoid Three, she establishes a telepathic link to her subjects. She confronts their demons. And makes them her own . . . They were known as the Killing Times, when serial murder reached epidemic proportions. Victims of hard-edged crime demanded hard-wired punishment, and the new prisons were born. Now one determined woman, a survivor of that dark age, tries to rehabilitate killers by tapping into the source of their obsessions: their worst fears. Her name is Jaguar Addams, and she is about to face the most challenging subject of her career. The ultimate assassin. A dangerously disturbed woman who will teach Jaguar the true meaning of fear.

Review: This is an interesting and engaging sci fi.

Dr. Jaguar Addams is a complex and intense person. She is a skilled empath who works on a prison planetoid. Her job is to confront the hardest of criminals and force them to face their deepest fear. The result is they deal with their issues and can be rehabilitated .... or sometimes they die. Jaguar has the highest success rate of the ‘teachers’ but she has to shield her techniques as some people are afraid of empaths.

Jaguar has an ongoing case with a con artist, Adrian. As she sets up a con to get to his deepest fears, a high level assassin arrives under custody. The assassin, Claire, is as cold as an ice wall. Even Jaguar’s supervisor, Alex, who is also an empath, cannot reach Claire’s thoughts. The governmental directives on handling Claire include finding out who hired her for the latest assassin.  Alex determines that the only one who might have a chance to discover Claire’s secrets is Jaguar.

Jaguar is a survivor from the horrible Killing Times on earth when people went berserk and started killing in masses.  Jaguar has never shared her history as a young child coming through the horrors of those years. But another co-worker, Nick, was a cop who helped get her off the streets.  Nick is slipping in his abilities. He is angry, on the edge and jealous of Jaguar’s successes. He wants to be part of her team to work with Claire but neither Alex or Jaguar trust him.

There is someone else, The Looker, who wants Claire eliminated before she can disclose her secrets.  The Looker is connected to a government agency that has hidden plans to use technology to replace the empaths and take control. There is a traitor on Planetoid Three who is feeding information to The Looker and helping him to undermine Jaguar.  Jaguar discovers clues to a plot and reports to Alex. When Alex goes to earth to investigate Jaguar has to break a few more rules to rescue him.

I liked the characters, even the cold Claire who ultimately shares childhood abuse stories with Jaguar. There is a bit of psychology jargon (or babble as I termed it in my head) entwined in the empath plotline and the criminal mindsets. This caused some confusion but I determined to read through that and enjoy the overall effect of the unique world and the fast paced suspense. When I completed this book I was curious how the relationship between Alex and Jaguar might change in the second story.

Caution - The story has some dark and twisted aspects involving abuse and murder.

###

This book was provided by the author for an honest review in conjunction with Pump Up Your Book blog tour for book two of the Jaguar Addams series.   Check in tomorrow when I will post the review of The Fear of God: Jaguar Series.

Q&A Interview with Neil Cullan McKinlay, Author of From Mason to Minister

Please help me welcome Neil Cullan McKinlay for a brief Author chat at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Q1.  I'm always interested to discover the story behind the story. Where did you get the inspiration and the courage to write From Mason to Minister: Through the Lattice?

Neil:  Two interesting words in your question jump out at me: “inspiration” and “courage”. I think that the inspiration to write From Mason To Minister came from having such a good story to tell! Not everyone enters into Freemasonry searching for God. And who would have thought that I’d find exactly what I was looking for? I wanted to tell everyone how this happened. However, I thought it would add to the reader’s interest if I painted in a bit of the background to the whole thing. So, essentially I’ve written a memoir which relates the story of how I went from being a confused non-Christian to fully embracing Christianity. The bonus part of my book is that I went from being a Freemason to becoming a Presbyterian Minister.

Now, regarding the “courage” aspect of your question, writing a book that makes many allusions to Freemasonry and some of the inner workings of the Lodge does, now that you mention it, take a certain amount of courage. Masons take oaths and vow to never disclose certain things about the Lodge. Some Masons see this as a promise to say virtually nothing at all about Masonry, while others realize that it is a promise only to conceal and never reveal the rituals and modes of recognition and perhaps some other things. This is not because Masonry is clandestine, but is simply to guard those distinctives that make Freemasonry what it claims to be, i.e., “a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols.” Thus, on the one hand, “courage” was needed in the face of the possibility that Freemasons may accuse me of saying too much, and on the other, that some Christians may disparage me for not fully exposing what they think is a purely occultist organization! But, because a vow is vow, I tried hard not be for or against Freemasonry, but only to tell me story as it related to the Lodge.

I agree you had an interesting story to tell and I think you did a very fine job of balancing the disclosed history and impact of Freemasonry while maintaining respect for not revealing details of the rituals.
Q2.  Since you were writing from your personal experiences did you experience any extra special difficulty?

Neil: I think in some ways writing from personal experience made things a little easier. I only had to remember things rather than have to come up with new ideas. I guess if there was any extra special difficulty it was in the thought that, here is a man in relative obscurity writing what essentially is his life-story, his memoirs. It’s not like I’m a pop or rock star, a famous actor or some celebrity. These are the people that seem to attract most people’s attention. Having read some of the bestselling books by author Dan Brown, such as The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and, The Lost Symbol in which books he makes a lot of references to Freemasonry (especially in The Lost Symbol), I knew that many readers have a great interest in knowing what Freemasons do and want to know what the Lodge is all about. The extra special difficulty for me was in the fact that I wasn’t writing a book about Freemasonry, but rather about me searching for and finding God – in which Freemasonry played a large and leading part. If it were fiction I could make it as exciting as you like! But I had to restrict myself to fact. The end result is, I believe, that readers of From Mason To Minister will find it an interesting, informative, and most of all, edifying read.

Informative and edifying are excellent descriptor words for your memoir.

Q3.  As I read From Mason to Minister I really enjoy the easy phrasing and prose as well as the scripture references. Did this come naturally to you as “thoughts” or was it something you had to work at?

Neil: I’m happy to hear that you enjoy the easy phrasing! I think preparing Sunday sermons for years helped with the easy phrasing aspect of my writing. Part of a preacher’s job is to take complex and profound (scriptural) ideas and present them in an understandable way. This technique has spilled over into my writing. Yes, genre and intended audience must be considered, but even when writing academic papers and theological treatises, easy phrasing helps to relay the message. In other words, wouldn’t the reader rather that the writer do all the difficult work beforehand, rather than the reader having to labor hard to understand what the writer is trying to communicate? For the reader prose is a labor-saving device! Also, one of the goals of a preacher/teacher of the Gospel is to teach others how to apply the scriptures in their daily lives, i.e., to think scripturally – as in weighing up everything in the light of the whole Bible. Therefore, I find that after years of hard work on my part that scripture references now tend to come to me naturally!

I had not thought about the skills you learned in preparing sermons but that makes good sense and I think I spotted that even more so in the later portion of the book.
Q4.  Could you please share one surprising thing about your experience writing this book, or about something else related to your career as a writer.

Neil: I hope this is not too subtle or cryptic, but in my book I mention that I had attended church for a brief spell in my late teens. The only thing I can remember from any of the preacher’s sermons was a funny anecdote he told about an astronaut. Then later on in the book I relate how the painting of an astronaut my big brother Fearghas had painted (it’s on the book’s front cover) had been used by God in my conversion. The surprising thing is that I hadn’t drawn the connection between these two astronauts till after I had received and had read a published copy of my book. This seems to me as if God has a sense of humor! It was as if God had used the preacher to plant the astronaut image in my mind with the purpose of revisiting it later in my life to use in my conversion. The first astronaut is back on earth speaking with friends about a place with no atmosphere. The second astronaut is adrift in the atmosphere with no friends, gasping for air and crying out to God. Yes, “Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there.”

Oh yes - I definitely think God as a wonderful sense of humor!

Q5. Do you have any rituals that help you get in the mood to focus and write?

Neil: As reading scripture before praying helps to get me into a praying mood, so reading other people’s work helps to get me into a writing mood. I usually match genre for genre when it comes to my reading and my writing. If I’m writing fiction then that’s what I’m reading. No, I’m not seeking to emulate others, but only to educate myself. I guess it’s a case of input producing output. But, I suppose boiling the kettle and pouring myself some green tea to sip while writing sounds a bit more like a ritual. Each sip is as a pause for a moment’s reflection.

*smile* I drink lots of green tea during the winter but not so much now that it is summer.

Q6. Was your family supportive of this book effort?

Neil: All our kids are married and have left home. I would on occasion bounce ideas off of Dorothy just to get her thoughts – which she was happy to give. My biggest support came from my eldest brother Fearghas. With Fearghas living in Scotland and me living in Australia there were plenty of email exchanges. Fearghas gave me a great deal of encouraging support.

I caught in the book that you seemed to have a particularly strong relationship with Fearghas. So nice to have that support not only from a friend but a friend who is a brother in fact and in Christ.
Q7. Do you plan to write any other books in the future?

Neil: Try stopping me! I currently have a few book-sized manuscripts looking for the right publishers. It’s a great shame that very few publishers accept unsolicited material. However, I do understand the great tomes of manuscripts they would have to wade through to find even one worthy of publishing. I suppose becoming published helps put an author in a privileged position to get the ear of potential publishers. At the moment I’m trying my hand at writing a historical fiction piece with the emphasis on fiction. In it I get to experiment with some theological principles, such as, e.g., will the aging process be slowed down in the future (optimistic Postmillennial) Millennium? (See e.g. Isaiah 65:17-25, verse 20 in particular).

Your fiction manuscript sounds interesting too! Best wishes on those publishing efforts.

Q8. Do you have any advice you would share with other aspiring authors?

Neil: I know I’ve already mentioned that there’re few publishers accepting unsolicited material, but aspiring authors should try hard to find and approach publishers suited to their genre. Finding the right publisher is like falling in love and getting married, it’s a two-way affair. You need to be prepared to woo them. And be prepared to listen to their advice without feeling threatened. Whereas writers are focused on writing, publishers see the big picture which includes returns on their investment. 

Good words of wisdom. I think many author's get a real shock when they finally get their book completed and they not only have to find a publisher but then they realize that they have to promote as well.

Q9. What do you hope your readers will get from reading this book?

Neil: I hope that readers will want to pick up the Bible and read it, and that they will see God displayed in the handiwork of the things that He has created in the light of what they read. I hope that those readers who already know God will know a closer walk with Him after reading my book, and that God will be pleased to use my book (as one little source) to challenge those who don’t know Him to seek Him in His Word!

I will say a hearty "Amen" to that.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts today and your memoir for reading interest.
My review post and Giveaway of this interesting book will be posted tomorrow, June 14.

Book Review: Talion By Mary Maddox

This is a nightmare thriller with well written suspense.
Talion by Mary Maddox

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Cantraip Press (March 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984428100
• ISBN-13: 978-0984428106

Price: Print $12.99
Kindle $3.99
Genre:  Fantasy Suspense
My Rating:  3.5 of 5

Back Cover Description
The dying body has a thousand voices, and all of them speak to Conrad (Rad) Sanders. Fifteen-year-old Lisa Duncan has no idea she has attracted Rad’s interest. At a mountain resort in Utah, he watches as vivacious Lisa begins an unlikely friendship with Lu Jakes, the strange and introverted daughter of employees there. Lu enters his fantasies as well. He learns she is being abused by her stepmother and toys with the notion of freeing her from her sad life and keeping her awhile as his captive. Lu seems like an easy conquest who could be persuaded to act out his fantasy by turning against her new friend.

But something else is watching Lu . . .

From Amazon Kindle description:
"'Silence of the Lambs' meets 'The Turn of the Screw' . . . .The story is propelled by suspense, and made delicious by Maddox's Ray Bradbury-like gift for deft, deep-shadowed description . . . Those last hundred pages just about turn themselves."
Dan Hagen Charleston Times-Courier.

Review: I am conflicted on this book. There is some excellent writing but some gruesome descriptions and excessive use of foul language in parts made it hard for me.

I have to agree with Mr. Hagen’s comment that “Those last hundred pages just about turn themselves.”  The thing is you have to read the first 200 pages to get there and I almost didn’t make it.  There is foul language near the beginning which gave me pause but I kept reading.  Just before midway the language was so bad I almost put the book aside as I had not been drawn in enough to really be enjoying it. Since I had committed to review the book I pushed through and the last portion of the book was masterfully suspenseful and saved the rough beginnings.

The serial killer stalks two teenage girls: the spoiled and rebellious Lisa and the poor, beaten “trailer girl”, Lu.  Lisa is the niece of the owners of a resort where she is spending the summer as a punishment.  Lu is the daughter of the handy man and a mean stepmother who live nearby in a trailer.  Lisa befriends shy and solitary Lu mostly because there is no one else for Lisa to spend time with.  Lu’s only other friends are imaginary: Talion, the angel, and a vampire and demon. These characters are a bit confusing when first introduced as they are not really explained until further along. I felt that the relationship with these characters should have been made earlier and could also have been more clear. Talion is the friend that Lu seeks for comfort during her pain and misery. He is the only one who loves her but even he seems to have some darkness.

The author does a good job developing the deranged character of Conrad, "Rad", the serial killer who is deranged and very “sick”, cruel and brutal - thus the comparison to “Silence of the Lambs”. The descriptions of the kills are pretty graphic.  Although I liked the flash backs which fill in the killer’s backstory, at times the flow of the writing seemed bumpy. The stalking and mystery parts were well done and the tension and suspense leading up to and after the girls were kidnapped was the best part of the story.

I feel like I missed something because I am not sure why the book was titled "Talion." I felt that gave a different expectation.  I would say the book is more suspense thriller than fantasy. The author is skilled at portraying interesting characters and providing detailed descriptions some of which are very realistic, but they are not all pleasant. If you like thrillers and can handle the gore - think Hannibal Lecter - and the foul language then do give this a try.  I would like to read more from this author if the language was toned down a bit.
WARNING: This book contains graphic and gruesome killing scenes and rough language.

Learn more about the author and view the full tour schedule HERE.

Check some of the other Tour Stops for other reviews and interviews. Here are a few other review links:
A Moment With Mystee
Minding Spot
From the TBR Pile

Thank you to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotion for providing this book for review.