Book Review: Love, Murder & Mayhem, an Anthology

There are several good gems in this sci fi, mystery collection.
Love, Murder & Mayhem: 
Cosmic Tales of the Heart Gone Deadly Wrong
An Anthology

Paperback: 290 pages
Publisher: Crazy 8 Press (May 25, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0998364118
Genre: Sci Fi, Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Love science fiction stories that all include elements of Love, Murder & Mayhem? Then welcome to the latest anthology from Crazy 8 Press! This amazing collection from 15 all-star authors will delight you with superhero and supervillain stories. AI, off-world, and space cruiser stories. We’ve also got private eyes, sleep surrogates, time travel, an aliens/monsters mash-up and … one DuckBob! With tales ranging from wild and wacky, dark and gritty, to heartbreaking and fun, take the deadly leap with authors Meriah Crawford, Paige Daniels, Peter David, Mary Fan, Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger, Glenn Hauman Paul Kupperberg, Karissa Laurel, Kelly Meding, Aaron Rosenberg, Hildy Silverman, Lois Spangler, Patrick Thomas, and editor Russ Colchamiro. You’ll never look at Love, Murder & Mayhem the same way again … and that’s just the way we like it.

Review:
This is an interesting collection of 15 short stories with superheros, villains, detectives, and aliens. Several of the stories are good mysteries and others were wonderfully funny with twists. There were a couple of stories near the beginning that left me wondering what was the goal or purpose; perhaps the authors have better longer works, but the shorts seemed incomplete with abrupt endings. It is worth reading beyond these to get to some marvelous stories.

The middle three stories are my favorites. First, The Note on the Blue Screen by Mary Fan. The primary character, named Watson, is a genius with a humanoid roommate designed as ‘Project Sherlock’. Sherlock takes after her name sake as a detective complete with a bad habit of taking drugs. One evening Watson returns home to find Sherlock sprawled on the sofa. Whether she is a victim of suicide or murder, the police won’t care. Waston finds a blue screened note that is supposedly from Sherlock but doesn’t quite fit her writing and phrasing. Watson knows it is up to her to decode the message, determining the clues that Sherlock left to solve her last big case. This was fun deduction and one of my favorites.

The next is The Hardwicke Files: The Case of My Old New Life and the One I Never Knew by Russ Colchamiro. This story involves two friends, a murder, a fire and an open and shut case… or so it seems. The protagonist is an investigator whose gut tells her that there is something in the facts that has been overlooked. This is another good mystery unraveled.

A third good story is As Time Goes By by Patrick Thomas. This is the story of a small-time criminal, a Daring Don’t named Tempus Fugitive. After serving time for his crime he is convinced by his wife and a hero Daring Do to use his powers for good. His change of heart isn’t appreciated by everyone. There are those that insult him and his wife and then there are those who try to blackmail him. This ends with an ironic twist.

Also fun were The Responders by Michael Jan Friedman, Invasive Maneuvers by Hildy Silverman and DuckBob: Killer Service by Aaron Rosenberg. I enjoy reading collections like this because it gives me a sample of writing by authors that I can search out. I recommend this collection to readers who enjoy short sci fi stories and mysteries.

I received this review invite from Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35500173-love-murder-mayhem

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Murder-Mayhem-Cosmic-Deadly-ebook/dp/B072W6GYDL/

About the Editor

Russ Colchamiro is the author of the rollicking space adventure, Crossline, the hilarious sci-fi backpacking comedy series, Finders Keepers, Genius de Milo, and Astropalooza, and is editor of the new anthology, Love, Murder & Mayhem, all with Crazy 8 Press.

Russ lives in New Jersey with his wife, two children, and crazy dog, Simon, who may in fact be an alien himself. Russ has also contributed to several other anthologies, including Tales of the Crimson Keep, Pangaea, and Altered States of the Union, and TV Gods 2. He is now at work on a top-secret project, and a Finders Keepers spin-off.

As a matter of full disclosure, readers should not be surprised if Russ spontaneously teleports in a blast of white light followed by screaming fluorescent color and the feeling of being sucked through a tornado. It’s just how he gets around — windier than the bus, for sure, but much quicker.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Audible Review: Koban, Volume 1 by Stephen W. Bennett

This is an engaging story of alien enemy confrontation and human survival.

Koban, Volume 1
Written by: Stephen W. Bennett
Narrated by: Patrick Freeman

Length: 25 hrs and 24 mins
Series: Koban, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-31-13
Publisher: STEPHEN W BENNETT
Genre: Alien Invasion, Genetic Engineering,
Sci Fi
My Rating 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
All new narration adds sound effects and eliminates issues noted in reviews. To obtain new version, remove old one from device, download new copy at no charge.
We colonized seven hundred planets. Humankind enjoyed the benefits of expansion and the end of wars. We disbanded our military.
Then the Krall found us.
The Krall have used thousands of years of combat to select the genes of the strongest and fastest warriors. They are a species determined to dominate the galaxy, through annihilation or enslavement of every opponent.
Koban is an uninhabited high gravity planet with impossibly fast savage animals, which employ organic superconducting nerves. This deadly world is where the Krall are testing humans for fighting capability. We are useful only if we can fight well. If not, they will destroy us swiftly, as they have other species. They have slaves, and we’re poor tasting meat animals, so we fight or die. The Krall will use us, if worthy, seeking physical perfection through attrition of war, one planet at a time.
Growing weary of our failures in testing, the ruthless Krall are on the verge of a decision to eliminate our species. A ship carrying bio-scientists is captured for combat testing. The choice for Captain Mirikami and the scientists is simple: Prove we can produce better, smarter fighters quickly, or humanity is doomed to rapid extermination.
But the Krall are only half the problem. We must survive Koban's gravity and superfast animals. The tiger-like rippers with skin contact telepathy are predators too fast and powerful for the Krall to face. Our solution is genetic: If you can't beat them as you are, become human rippers.
The Krall will learn another species can bypass natural selection.
©2012 Stephen W Bennett (P)2013 Stephen W Bennett

Review:
Humankind has had hundreds of years without wars and without the need for military forces. It is now a race dominated by women who took over to remove the aggressive warring natures of men. Captain Mirikami is somewhat rare as a male captain but he and his crew were deemed appropriate to deliver a scientific expedition to a human station out on the rim. Rather than finding human response, Mirikami and his ship are threatened and boarded by an alien species that introduces itself as the Krall.

The Krall are a warrior race who has strengthened itself through biological and genetic breeding of its strongest. Their goal is to control the universe through superior power and conquest. The planet Koban is a high gravity planet where the Krall are at home and humans at a distinct disadvantage. Koban is full of super strong and super-fast predators, as well as large prey. The Krall consider Koban their ‘home’ planet even though so far it has been used primarily as a testing ground.

The Krall are always seeking prey to fight that can help further develop their fighting skills. They bring humans, or other ‘prey’ races, to Koban where they are pulled out at regular intervals to be tested against Krall training warriors. Some races have become slaves and one is even raised as a food source. The humans don’t taste that good so they are used as fighters. Their weaker strength makes them little opposition and the Krall are thinking of just eliminating the race that provides little challenge or value.

The Krall capture Mirikami’s ship and suddenly discover an enemy that is challenging due to its strategies and cunning if not its strength. The humans on Koban are provided some hope of surviving, but an initial success may be short lived. The Krall return from further space conquest with a large group of human ships, passenger and cargo. Because of the success of Mirikami’s fighters the Krall are excited about seeking more humans to fight. The Krall set off to search out humans to conquer but decide to leave the humans on Koban to face the elements of the planet without the walls of the compound and without power. The Krall don’t realize that humans don’t give in so easily.

I really liked Captain Mirikami and the primary officers, doctors and other characters who eventually become part of his core team. The combination of intelligence and innovative thinking shows the resilience of humankind. They also have additional help that they kept secret from the Kralls that will add to their survival efforts.

The world-building is well done with natural enemies in the environment as well as the Krall characteristics and internal politics that come into play. The action and scheming run throughout the story. One element that was a bit distracting was character chuckling although it is not clear if that was a written element or narrator interpretation. I was engaged sufficiently that I am eager to continue the saga with the next book. I do recommend this to readers who enjoy action stories with strong alien conflict and human survival elements.

Audio Notes: The beginning audio is a little dry and maybe I was expecting inferior narration based upon earlier reviews. However, after an hour or two I found the narration by Patrick Freeman to be effective with the character voices and personalities. He captures the growls and snorts of the Krall as well as the snark, humor and strengths of the human characters. I didn’t think the addition of the chapter break sounds and few background sounds was really necessary although the sound effects didn’t detract from the listening experience. I was fully engaged by the story and narration so that this 25 hours+ went very quickly.

I picked this from my Audible TBR shelves. It qualifies for Mount TBR, Audiobook and "K" for Alphabet Challenge.

Sunday Post September 10, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 11, 2017.

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

We drove home to secure our properties for the impact of Hurricane Irma. We should be fine as we will be on the outer west edge. We are fortunate to have a generator if needed. Offices and schools are closed for Monday when the winds will impact us.

Reading was good. I finished three books: two audio books and one ebook. I also finished four books plus other stories with our granddaughter. I posted three reviews on the blog and one at Goodreads. I also posted my usual memes.

I visited only 20 blogs last week as I was preoccupied with family. :-).
Shout out this week is to Avalinah’s Book. This is another new to me blog with fun gifs and book love.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 3, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 4, 2017.

• MBS August 2017 Reading List Wrap Update.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Until the End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming; Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi, Zombie; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 8, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/14/2017.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Pax by Sara Pennypacker; Animals, Middle Grade; my rating 4.5.

• eNG- Book Review: Who'll Stop The Rain: (Book One Of The Miami Crime Trilogy) by Don Donovan; Crime, Noir; My rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #319 Comment Giveaway September 9, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/16/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 10, 2017.

• Goodreads Book Review: God Gave Us Two by Lisa Tawn Bergren (Goodreads Author), Laura J. Bryant (Illustrator); Children, Siblings; My rating 5.0.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Pax
Written by: Sara Pennypacker
Narrated by: Michael Curran-Dorsano
Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
Beautifully written; not for all young children. My Review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Koban, Volume 1
Written by: Stephen W. Bennett
Narrated by: Patrick Freeman
This turned out to really engage me; listening whenever I could.
It is my "K" TBR audible for Alphabet Challenge.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

ReWired
by S.R. Johannes
This is an engaging YA suspense focused on computer addiction/hackers.
Click on book title for full description.

Six Children's Books and other stories read to SweetPea:

These two were library books. God Gave Us Two was perfect for the family with the older daughter and new baby twins!

(The first two were read in August.) I read two stories each out of the 5 Minute books; plus the other four.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (Tour)

Love, Murder & Mayhem: 
Cosmic Tales of the Heart Gone Deadly Wrong
An Anthology
I had signed up for this tour and received the book August 23 but forgot to list it.
My review date is coming up 9/14.
I received this review invite from Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws.
Love science fiction stories that all include elements of Love, Murder & Mayhem? Then welcome to the latest anthology from Crazy 8 Press! This amazing collection from 15 all-star authors will delight you with superhero and supervillain stories. AI, off-world, and space cruiser stories. We’ve also got private eyes, sleep surrogates, time travel, an aliens/monsters mash-up and … one DuckBob! With tales ranging from wild and wacky, dark and gritty, to heartbreaking and fun, take the deadly leap with authors Meriah Crawford, Paige Daniels, Peter David, Mary Fan, Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger, Glenn Hauman Paul Kupperberg, Karissa Laurel, Kelly Meding, Aaron Rosenberg, Hildy Silverman, Lois Spangler, Patrick Thomas, and editor Russ Colchamiro. You’ll never look at Love, Murder & Mayhem the same way again … and that’s just the way we like it.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Valor's Choice (Confederation, #1)
by Tanya Huff
Marguerite Gavin (Narrator)
I pulled this from my Audible TBR shelves for "V" in my Alphabet Challenge.
I am enjoying the space military characters so far.
Publisher's Summary
In the distant future, humans and several other races have been granted membership in the Confederation - at a price. They must act as soldier/protectors of the far more civilized races who have long since turned away from war.
©2000 Tanya Huff; (P)2008 Tantor

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The Clockwork Dynasty
by Daniel H. Wilson
I received this from NetGalley.
An ingenious new thriller that weaves a path through history, following a race of human-like machines that have been hiding among us for untold centuries, written by the New York Times bestselling author of Robopocalypse.
Present day: When a young anthropologist specializing in ancient technology uncovers a terrible secret concealed in the workings of a three-hundred-year-old mechanical doll, she is thrown into a hidden world that lurks just under the surface of our own. With her career and her life at stake, June Stefanov will ally with a remarkable traveler who exposes her to a reality she never imagined, as they embark on an around-the-world adventure and discover breathtaking secrets of the past…
Russia, 1725: In the depths of the Kremlin, the tsar’s loyal mechanician brings to life two astonishingly humanlike mechanical beings. Peter and Elena are a brother and sister fallen out of time, possessed with uncanny power, and destined to serve great empires. Struggling to blend into pre-Victorian society, they are pulled into a legendary war that has raged for centuries.
The Clockwork Dynasty seamlessly interweaves past and present, exploring a race of beings designed to live by ironclad principles, yet constantly searching for meaning. As June plunges deeper into their world, her choices will ultimately determine their survival or extermination. Richly-imagined and heart-pounding, Daniel H. Wilson’s novel expertly draws on his robotics and science background, combining exquisitely drawn characters with visionary technology—and riveting action.

4. ebook/Print (LBC)

A Matter of Character,
Sisters of Bethlehem Springs Series #3
by Robin Lee Hatcher
I was pleasantly surprised to find the price reduced when I went to download the Kindle version.
I can now get to completing this in the next two weeks.

September 10, 2017 - I am still behind in the One Year Bible. I am working on getting back on track. I have been reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed three books and posted three reviews. That keeps me at two current reviews with one to post soon for September release.
I am keeping at three titles behind linking my reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
I am back to 7 NetGalley titles (with a list of more requests) and still 2 author titles in my queue, the others are instafreebies that I do want to get to but not the same commitment.

We're working on two fiction books soon to add to eTreasure's NetGalley page.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly).  
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I picked up one more NetGalley review and included a tour book I received  a few weeks ago.
I picked up one Audible Daily Deal and several audiobooks for free. 
As usual, I picked up more free kindle titles as usual. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Tour Participation invite from Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws.; Review date 9/14.

Love, Murder & Mayhem:
Cosmic Tales of the Heart Gone Deadly Wrong
An Anthology
See full description above under current reading.

I received one more title from NetGalley:
 
Crown of Souls
by Ronie Kendig
A Christian Suspense

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up one Audible Daily Deal for $2.95:
Extracted
By: R. R. Haywood
Narrator: Carl Prekopp
Duration: 12 hrs and 40 mins
Sci Fi, Time Travel - heroes picked to save the world.


I also picked up 10 free audiobooks. Most of them are short interviews but here are the three that are over 1 hour:
FREE: The Undead
By: R R Haywood
Narrator: Dan Morgan
Duration: 1 hr and 3 mins

The Hospital: The FREE Short Story: The First Mountain Man Story
By: Keith C. Blackmore
Narrator: R. C. Bray
Duration: 1 hr and 37 mins

Alan Cumming Live at the Sydney Opera House with David Marr: Free Download
By: Alan Cumming
Narrator: Alan Cumming
Duration: 1 hr and 1 min

Free

Here are some of the Free Kindle titles I picked up. (All of these may still be free):

Whom the Gods Love (Of Gods & Mortals Book 1)
by M.M. Perry

Cold Justice Series Box Set: Volume I: Books 1-3
Toni Anderson

 
Echo in Time (Echo Trilogy, #1)
by Lindsey Fairleigh

Dark September (Part of the Daniel Trokics Series)
by Inger Wolf

All Or Nothing (The Coxwells Book 4)
by Deborah Cooke

Blind Run
by Patricia Lewin

and Two more:
Struck: (Phoebe Meadows Book 1) by Amanda Carlson
For The Love Of A Widow: Regency Novella by Christina McKnight

I added 54 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.