Priests of Orion by Trevelyan

Wow! This is far and away the best mystery/MI5 story I have ever read. Just when you think you have it all figured out, there is another twist. I was riveted to the page, and could not put it down till I was finished. Even the ending was stunning. If I could give it more than a 5 star review I would! Can't wait to read more from this author.

One Eyed Jack

One Eyed Jack is a most enjoyable, heartwarming story of a young girl and the horse she falls in love with. The horse, Jack lost his eye in a terrible accident, and because he was a show horse, his value plummeted. Lauren, a ten year old who competes in horse shows, is there when the vet must remove Jack's eye, and desperately wants to save him from certain death. She can't afford to buy him, even though he is worth much less than he was. However, the owner, grateful for the help she gave the vet, and seeing she loves Jack, gifts her with the horse.

Lauren is sure Jack can learn to compete, even though he only has one eye. This story is about their journey together, and Jack's eventual triumph over his injury. The story is fast paced and well written. A must read for young adults and adults alike.

Published by Crooked Cat Publishing

Reviewing

If you would like me to review your book, whether e-book or print, Email me the document in .doc, .docx or .mobi format and I'd be happy to.

E-Book Publishing

Looking to get your book published? Don't know where to go? Rest easy! You can't do better than to approach Laurence and Stephanie Patterson of Crooked Cat Publishing. They can guide you through the maze that is e-book publishing. If they like your manuscript, they will be with you throughout the whole process of editing, re-editing and finally publishing. You will find them very supportive and friendly.

http://crookedcatpublishing.com/

Child of the Ghosts

Child of the Ghosts by Jonathan Moeller is a ripping good Sword and Sorcery novel. It had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page to the very last page. It's been a while since that happened.

It is the story of eleven year old Caina Amalas, whose father dotes on her and has tried to teach her everything about the world, and instilled in her a love of books and reading. Her mother however, a would-be sorceress, hates her and wishes she were dead.

On one tragic day, a day that changed Caina's life forever, she loses both her parents, and spends the next while suffering tortures no one should suffer, let alone a young girl.

She is rescued by the Ghosts, a legendary band of assassins who work for the Emperor. Under their tutelage, she becomes a deadly weapon.

I don't want to give away any more of the story; read it for yourself! It is available at Amazon A definite must read! 9/10

Blackbrooke

Blackbrooke is a very good story. I think Blackbrooke could be a symbol of all the limitations the teens feel they face. Their characters are quite believable, as are the feelings they all experience. The loss of so many friends, supposedly to “Walk Out”, a euphemism for suicide, is enough to finally make the friends band together to do something about it. Of course, this had been tried before, by a group naming themselves the Vigilantes, but the friends are determined to succeed where others failed.

The ending is somewhat of a bombshell, with Liberty running from the frying pan into the fire. One can feel her shock at the events that are happening. The story ends at just the right place to allow for a sequel. All in all, well done. Teens will like the story. 8/10

An E-book published by Crooked Cat publishing and available on Amazon in the UK, and Amazon in North America

Reviews

If you have an upcoming book, whether e-book or hardcover, Email me, and I'd be happy to read and review it. If it is an e-book, please send the file in .mobi format, and if possible, include a picture of the cover.

Tangled Webs

Tangled Webs another book featuring Janelle, Saetan, Daemon, Lucivar, and Surreal, and another gripping tale.

A popular landen (a non-blood of any race)mystery writer recently started a new series featuring a Blood protagonist. Unfortunately for him, he knows nothing about the Blood and gets all of the details wrong. Unfortunately for the Blood, he does not take criticism or rejection well. He too creates his own haunted house but invites the members of Jaenelle’s family to use them as inspiration and fodder for his next book. The only catch is he has no intention of letting any of them leave the house alive.

 I never get tired of reading Anne's books; they never get stale or repetitive. Another book I couldn't put down until I finished. Must read, 9/10

Shalador's Lady

Shalador's Lady is a sequel to the Shadow Queen, another gripping novel in Anne Bishop's series.

For years the Shalador people suffered the cruelties of the corrupt Queens who ruled them, forbidding their traditions, punishing those who dared show defiance, and forcing many more into hiding. Now that their land has been cleansed of tainted Blood, the Rose-Jeweled Queen, Lady Cassidy, makes it her duty to restore it and prove her ability to rule.

But even if Lady Cassidy succeeds, other dangers await. For the Black Widows see visions within their tangled webs that something is coming that will change the land-and Lady Cassidy-forever.

Yet another book I could not put down; Anne Bishop just has an innate sense of how to draw people in to her stories. The people become real, as do their adventures (and mis-adventures). Anne is one one of the most talented writers to come on the scene in many a year, and I hope she keeps 'em coming! Another 9/10

Demon Vampire: Special Science Report 1192 (Redgold) [Kindle Edition]

This is a good story made almost unreadable due to the lack of editing. The number of spelling errors (and they are not typos), is very distracting. The grammar in many cases is questionable. If one is going to submit a book for sale, it is mandatory that editing and clean-up has been done. I'm surprised Amazon accepted it, and it points out the need to have a reputable publishing company look at the work, whether an e-book, or a regular book. Very disappointing that a good story has been spoiled in that way.

What's also interesting, is that the publisher of this book only accepts submissions once a year, in April. One cannot even contact them outside of that time frame. I would seriously suggest that one not deal with them.

Writing and Editing Issues

Although this is primarily a blog for reviews, from time to time I will post items I think are relevant to the writing process. The following is one of the major issues I have with writing and editing.

I am finding glaring errors in books by established authors such as Raymond Feist, Anne Bishop, and R.A. Salvatore. I think the majority of the problem is that authors and editors rely far too much on spell check. It is fine for some things, but it doesn't catch words that are spelled right, but not correct in the context in which they are used. "Sat" "Sitting", for example, or its and it's (one of my bugaboos!) "Its" is one of the worst offenders, I think. The only time it has an apostrophe is if it is short for "it is". One of the anomalies in the English language in that even as a possessive, it does not have an apostrophe. There is also the bad habit of using apostrophes in some plurals, such as "video's (videos) or CD's (CDs). I'm not sure if this is inherent in today's teaching or whether it's because we depend too much on technology instead of our own brains.

Painting by Numbers

Painting by Numbers by Tom Gillespie is a gritty, nail-biting thriller, that chronicles one man’s obsession with a painting in the local museum. Jacob Boyce is an Earth Scientist and professor at a Glasgow university, and spends hours everyday observing, measuring, and calculating angles, ostensibly as part of his earthquake research. He thinks the painting is changing and moving as a result of the angles and use of colour.

His obsession takes a toll on his job and his relationship with his wife. Their relationship is crumbling, and they fight all the time. Or do they? When his wife disappears, he follows her to the family villa in Spain, where he thinks she is. It is there things really start to get interesting, and the plot takes many a winding road to the climax.

The end is a shocker, and totally unexpected, and made me shake my head and say “Whaaat?” Not very literary of me, I know, but I did not see it coming. A must read! 9/10.

An E-book published by Crooked Cat Publishing

The Black Jewels Trilogy

The The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop is a richly drawn tapestry of magic and fantasy. I was completely drawn in to the book, and had trouble putting it down. There are three books: Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, and Queen of the Darkness.

The story revolves around an ancient prophecy seen by a Black Widow witch through dreams and visions. The Dark Realm waits with bated breath for the arrival of the Queen; a witch who will wield more power than even the High Lord of Hell.

The three main characters, Saetan, the High Lord of Hell, and his sons, Lucivar and Daemon, are, without doubt, three of the most powerful and sensual characters to grace a fantasy novel in a long time. This is a must read! I give it a 9/10.

Anne Bishop is a winner of the William L.Crawford Memorial Fantasy Award, presented by the International Association for the Fantastic, in the Arts, for the Black Jewels Trilogy.

E-Book Review: The Dragon Ring by Maggie Secara

The Dragon Ring, by Maggie Secara is an e-book put out by Crooked Cat Publishing, an e-book company based in the UK.

All in all, it is a good read, but there are a few issues, mainly the mechanics of the writing. In university English, one is taught that when writing, less is more; that is, don't write ten words when you can say it in five, and still get the message across. I also found the juxtaposition of Shakespeare, Norse mythology and Faerie a bit jarring.

However, having said that, I loved Raven's character; he was very "Puckish", which went nicely with the Midsummer Night's Dream bent of the novel. Ben's character was very sympathetic and the dichotomy of what he really wanted to do, and what he felt he should do, is something I'm sure many of us can relate to.

I don't want to give away too much more, so read it for yourself. It is, overall, an entertaining book. I'd give it a 7/10.

An E-book published by Crooked Cat Publishing