Category Archives: Sci Fi

Aliens, Demons, Dragons, Fae, Fantasy, Military, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Shifters, Suspense, Thriller, Vampire, Werewolf, Witches

#Review #Audiobook – Whisper in the Wind (The Fetch Phillips Novels) Book 4 by Luke Arnold

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The fourth installment of Luke Arnold’s Fetch Phillips series, Whisper in the Wind, takes readers to a very different Sunder City. One where government corruption is rampant and tensions are rising.

Fetch is done being a hero. Once a detective, all he wants now is to run his cafe in peace. Sunder City is still recovering from the sudden and violent end of magic, and if one man can’t solve all its problems, he can at least stop some people going hungry. But when a kid on the run shelters in Fetch’s cafe, and a chain of gruesome murders begins among Sunder’s high and mighty, trouble is brought to Fetch’s door.

There’s a word whispered on the wind, and that word is revolution…

 

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Twinsie Kelly’s Review

The Fetch Phillips Novels have become one of my top favorite series ever! For me, by the time an author reaches the 4th book and beyond, I start to lose interest because what more can you really do with a story? Things start to repeat or things get really far fetched and aren’t enjoyable anymore. That is the furthest thing for this series. I am as hooked to Whisper in the Wind as I was to the first book as I was to the second and third. I also continue to recommend listening to the audio as opposed to reading it. Mr. Arnold does an incredible job with Fetch!

I wasn’t really sure how this was going to pan out because Fetch is more or less trying to “give up” by staying low and just focusing on him and working Georgio’s café. He is controlling what he can control, himself and serving good coffee and food. However, Fetch can’t help it when he sees some teens in trouble because he sees himself. He puts his neck out on the line for them but then ends up being a sort of safe haven for the misfits. But hey, it gives him some purpose. While all this is happening, there is a radical that has been spewing things via propaganda and Fetch finds himself being pulled in all sorts of directions and working for everyone he swore off. I love all the new characters and all the crazy twists and turns. Just when Fetch found his place and realized what he was supposed to do, something changes and he is put on a completely different course. The ending left me with my mouth gaping open. I am anxiously waiting for book 5. Well done, Mr. Arnold, you have my full attention!

 

Luke Arnold

Luke Arnold was born in Australia and has spent the last decade acting his way around the world, playing iconic roles such as Long John Silver in the Emmy-winning Black Sails and his award-winning turn as Michael Hutchence in the INXS mini-series Never Tear Us Apart. When he isn’t performing, Luke is a screenwriter, director, novelist, and ambassador for Save the Children Australia.

Audio Book, Cowboys, Review, Sci Fi, Steampunk, Suspense, Western Romance

#Review #Audiobook – Bargain at Bravebank: A Sci-Fi Western Adventure (The Legacy of Lucky Logan Book 1) by J.R. Frontera

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“If Fallout and Red Dead Redemption 2 had a baby, it would be the Legacy of Lucky Logan series!” — a super clever reader

A deal gone bad…
…and Van Delano is left to die in the desert.

But most folk said he’d been cursed with a double-barreled shotgun of mulishness.
So when his first attempt at bargaining for his kidnapped sister’s freedom lands him with a dead horse, a bullet in his leg, and miles of desert between him and the nearest town… he’s not about to give up.
He’ll fight and claw, cheat and steal, even kill, if he has to… he made his sister a promise and he’s damn sure gonna keep it.
Doesn’t matter if most folk say she’s dead.
Doesn’t matter if the outlaw queen of the Western Territories is playin’ him.
Doesn’t matter if his new metal leg makes him a wanted man, hunted by both the superstitious and the greedy.
He’s a man out for his own redemption, and the only way to pay that debt is to track down his sister and get her free… no matter the cost.

For fans of The Coilhunter series, Make Me No Grave and the Red Dead Redemption games… saddle up for this gritty, gun-blazin’, gadget-laden re-imagining of the Old West and grab your copy today!

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! This series contains adult themes, situations, and language. Additionally, the scifi elements are a semi-slow build, appearing in a “lost civilization is rediscovered” kind of way.

“…such cruel, manipulative characters in an unforgiving world beautifully juxtaposed with kindness and generosity. I love it.” — Roger Clark, Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption II

(Look for the audiobook, narrated by Roger Clark, available wherever audiobooks are sold!)

 

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Twinsie Kelly’s Review

I am definitely loving the vibe that is coming from this book! First things first, I highly recommend the audiobook because the narrator is absolutely fantastic! He makes you feel like you are right in the gritty wild west! I was hooked right from the beginning. I mean, who doesn’t like a villain named Nine-Fingered Nan?! She screws Van up bad…real bad! Then the great doctor finds Van and gives him a (spoiler alert!!!!!) mechanical leg! I don’t want to give any more real spoilers than this. He has been given a bad hand at life but his sister is what keeps him going. Most people don’t understand this but he NEEDS to save his sister. His back story is a bit heart wrenching but while on his quest, he ends up on all these “side quests” and ends up helping Charlotte (who has her own problems that Van can’t help but to help her), robbing banks, and sabotaging Nine-Fingered Nan’s gang. While this isn’t as much in the “Sci-Fi” or “Steampunk” genre as I was expecting, the story still had me turning the audio on whenever I had an opportunity. I can’t wait to see what happens next! To the author and narrator, BRAVO!

 

J.R. Frontera profile image

J. R. Frontera has been telling stories in some form or another since she could hold a crayon and draw. Her love of science fiction and fantasy originated with her early exposure to the worlds of Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and Dune. Exploring the potential and pitfalls of humanity in future or fantastical worlds is a temptation she’s just never been able to resist. She writes dark scifi, funny scifi, weird westerns, romantic fantasy, and pretty much every other genre in-between under the same name.

She co-founded a local writing group known as The Wordwraiths and is co-owner of their publishing imprint Wordwraith Books. In January 2017, after noticing a lack of writing resources tailored to fit within the specific restraints of motherhood, she helped start the Writer Mom Life podcast alongside fellow author Daphne James Huff.

She has been writing and learning the craft and business of writing for over twenty years, and fully embraced indie authordom in 2013. She has taken writing workshops with Stephen Mertz, Angela James of Carina Press, and the late Ann C. Crispin. She has short stories published in five anthologies, and her science fiction and fantasy shorts have placed in three out of four years in the Story in a Bag contest at the ConQuesT convention held in Kansas City, Missouri.

When she’s not writing, momming, podcasting, or working at her full-time day job, she’s often horseback riding, playing videogames, or cosplaying. She lives in rural Missouri with her husband, son, four ducks, three cats, one horse and one dog. You can find out more about J. R. Frontera and her books by visiting her website at jrfrontera.com.

Aliens, Dark Humor, Demons, Dragons, Fae, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Shifters, Suspense, Thriller, Urban Fantasy/Urban Fiction, Vampire, Werewolf

#Review #Audiobook – One Foot in the Fade (The Fetch Phillips Novels Book 3) by Luke Arnold

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Welcome back to the streets of Sunder City, a darkly imagined world perfect for readers of Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher.

In a city that lost its magic, an angel falls in a downtown street. His wings are feathered, whole—undeniably magical—the man clearly flew, because he left one hell of a mess when he plummeted into the sidewalk.

But what sent him up? What brought him down? And will the answers help Fetch bring the magic back for good?

Working alongside necromancers, genies, and shadowy secret societies, through the wildest forests and dingiest dive bars, this case will leave its mark on Fetch’s body, his soul, and the fate of the world.

Praise for the Fetch Phillips novels:

“Superb… With a lead who would be at home in the pages of a Raymond Chandler or James Ellory novel and a nicely twisty plot, this installment makes a strong case for Arnold’s series to enjoy a long run.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Arnold’s universe has everything, including the angst of being human. The perfect story for adult fantasy fans—a tough PI and a murder mystery wrapped around the mysticism of Hogwarts, sprinkled with faerie dust.” ―Library Journal (starred review)

Fetch Phillips Novels
The Last Smile in Sunder City
Dead Man in a Ditch
One Foot in the Fade

 

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Twinsie Kelly’s Review

I cannot recommend this series/book enough. And if you do pick it up, I recommend it even more to listen to it via audiobook. My personal opinion is that the audio really puts the cherry on top. Fetch is not a super complicated character; he is just trying to find his place. He has for so long believed that the magic disappearing is his fault and has been holding this weight on his shoulders alone, but there have been sparks of the possibility that there may actually be some magic out there.

Fetch is put on a new “case.” This gives us quite a few new characters and a few that we get to see a deeper side of. True to past books, we get Fetch’s same dry humor and him constantly battling himself. But this book…this book really gave me some feels. Fetch and the others were put in some difficult situations that were difficult for me to process, let alone the characters. I mean, I felt like they were REAL. These characters have become a part of me. Earlier I said that I recommend listening to this if you have the chance, I really do because there are parts where the emotion is so intense that I was literally breathless and had tears in my eyes. And folks, I am not a crier. I AM NOT A CRIER! Fetch has evolved so much. I cannot wait to continue his journey and I am hoping to catch up with some of the others on the way. This is hands down one of my favorite books!

 

Luke Arnold

Luke Arnold was born in Australia and has spent the last decade acting his way around the world, playing iconic roles such as Long John Silver in the Emmy-winning Black Sails and his award-winning turn as Michael Hutchence in the INXS mini-series Never Tear Us Apart. When he isn’t performing, Luke is a screenwriter, director, novelist, and ambassador for Save the Children Australia.

Angels, Dark Humor, Demons, Dragons, Fae, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense, Vampire, Werewolf

#Review #Audiobook – Dead Man in a Ditch (The Fetch Phillips Novels Book 2) by Luke Arnold

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In this brilliant sequel to actor Luke Arnold’s debut The Last Smile in Sunder City, a former soldier turned PI solves crime in a world that’s lost its magic. The name’s Fetch Phillips — what do you need? Cover a Gnome with a crossbow while he does a dodgy deal? Sure. Find out who killed Lance Niles, the big-shot businessman who just arrived in town? I’ll give it shot. Help an old-lady Elf track down her husband’s murderer? That’s right up my alley. What I don’t do, because it’s impossible, is search for a way to bring the goddamn magic back. Rumors got out about what happened with the Professor, so now people keep asking me to fix the world. But there’s no magic in this story. Just dead friends, twisted miracles, and a secret machine made to deliver a single shot of murder. Welcome back to the streets of Sunder City, a darkly imagined world perfect for readers of Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher. Praise for Dead Man in a Ditch: “Superb… With a lead who would be at home in the pages of a Raymond Chandler or James Ellory novel and a nicely twisty plot, this installment makes a strong case for Arnold’s series to enjoy a long run.” ―Publishers Weekly “Arnold’s universe has everything, including the angst of being human. The perfect story for adult fantasy fans—a tough PI and a murder mystery wrapped around the mysticism of Hogwarts, sprinkled with faerie dust.” ―Library Journal (starred review) Fetch Phillips Novels The Last Smile in Sunder City Dead Man in a Ditch One Foot in the Fade

 

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Twinsie Kelly’s Review

I cannot get enough of this series. I highly recommend listening to it via audiobook. The author/narrator is phenomenal! Every gritty corner, unsavory character, questionable moral, is felt as if you are right in the story. I love the wittiness and how irritatingly twisted up it makes you feel while reading/listening to it. Fetch just can’t catch a break and just when he thinks he has things figured out, he is pulled into something else just as chaotic and crazy and going down another rabbit hole….or dragon hole. There is never a slow moment. All the characters bring something to the table. Every. Single. One. Fetch and the police department are getting along now (kind of), he has “friends,” some people from his past pop back up in his life (and seriously gave me some kind of feels!), but most importantly Fetch started trying to figure out exactly what he is doing. He has switched sides and shared secrets he shouldn’t have. He was a huge part of the problem and just wants to do the right thing. But, like most people (religions, politics, etc.), they all can justify their cause. Fetch needs to dig down deep and figure out what his cause really is.  I am extremely impressed with this series and NEED more!  I am on my way to list to the next in the series! Stay tuned for another review! Bravo, Luke Arnold, on a fantastic job!

Luke Arnold

Luke Arnold was born in Australia and has spent the last decade acting his way around the world, playing iconic roles such as Long John Silver in the Emmy-winning Black Sails and his award-winning turn as Michael Hutchence in the INXS mini-series Never Tear Us Apart. When he isn’t performing, Luke is a screenwriter, director, novelist, and ambassador for Save the Children Australia.

 

Aliens, Enemies to Lovers, Fantasy, forced proximity, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Science Fiction Romance, slow burn, Suspense, Wolves

#Review – Chained to the Wolf King: An Alien Monster Romance (The Yzefrxyl) by Jade Waltz

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She warned her captain not to leave the sol system.
He ignored her. Now the ship is dead, her crew is scattered, and Elsa has crash-landed on a frozen alien world ruled by massive, wolf-like predators who’ve never seen a human before.
The Alpha King claims her the moment he sees her.
Sylas is seven feet of fur, fangs, and barely restrained violence — and he’s decided she’s his. His mate. His property. He puts a silver collar around her throat, locks her in his chambers, and dares her to fight him on it.
So she does.
Elsa is a navigator. She maps escape routes the way she breathes. Star charts, terrain, wind patterns — anything that gets her one step closer to freedom. But Sylas isn’t just a monster king with claws that could gut her in a single swipe. He’s patient. Possessive. And the bond forming between them — a psychic thread neither of them asked for — is making it harder to tell where his obsession ends and hers begins.
His court wants her dead. His enemies are circling.
And when the Blood Moon rises, an ancient ritual will force her to run — and him to hunt.

Chained to the Wolf King is a full-length slow burn, sci-fi alien romance featuring a massive, morally gray wolf king, a heroine who refuses to break, forced proximity, a fated bond neither of them wanted, and a mating chase under a crimson moon.

 

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Twinsie Kelly’s Review

Star crossed fated mates. Elsa and Sylas are the last people/species that either of them thought they would fall in love with. The plot is great! There is such a wonderful story here! Elsa crash lands on Sylas’ world. She and a few other humans are the only survivors and they are taken as prisoners. However, they have been found to be a bit more useful than just “prisoners.” With the humans here and being protected plus Elsa and Sylas are getting closer, corruption is now rising and becoming more prominent within the kingdom….all hell starts to break loose. Elsa still needs to protect the humans, Sylas still needs to protect his kingdom, but these two need to protect each other. While there is a lot of bond forming and affection happening, there is a great deal of action and respect occurring as well.

There is a really, really great story here. However, there were times when I felt like the same things were being repeated or some chapters were extremely drawn out for no reason. I think if this was a bit shorter or perhaps less descriptive in some areas, this could have been a really awesome story.

I was very surprised at the ending. It tied the book up very nicely with an HEA, but also a nice segue into a sequel. I look forward to the next adventure.

 

Jade Waltz profile image

USA Today Bestselling author, Jade Waltz writes sweet-n-steamy, character-driven romances for those who dare to love the paranormal.

When she isn’t writing all the stories that live in her imagination, she’s knitting, playing video games, or drinking her wide collection of teas while enjoying her succulent collection.

Fantasy Romance, Military, Paranormal, Review, Romantic Suspense, romantic thriller, Sci Fi

#Review – Street Game (Ghostwalker Series) by Christine Feehan

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan goes beyond the boundaries of paranormal romance as two lovers take to the streets to play the most dangerous game of all. 

For Mack McKinley and his team of GhostWalker killing machines, urban warfare is an art. But despite a hard-won knowledge of the San Francisco streets, Mack knows from experience that too many things can still go wrong. Danger is just another part of the game—and now he’s come face-to-face with a woman who can play just as tough.

Jaimie is a woman with a sapphire stare so potent it can destroy a man. Years ago she and Mack had a history—volatile, erotic, and electric. Then she vanished. Now she’s walked back into Mack’s life as a spy with too many secrets for her own good. Against all odds, she’s hooking up with Mack one more time to take on an enemy that could destroy them both, or bring them back together in one hot, no-holds-barred adrenaline rush.

 

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Twinsie Kelly’s Review

This is the first book that I have read by Christine Feehan. I didn’t realize that I had a book that was in the middle of a series, however, after looking into it a bit, I was assured that I can read these as standalones but that I may get more enjoyment if I read them in order. Street Game is the 8th book in the Ghostwalker series. I did not feel that I needed to read past books to understand what had been going on. There was more than enough back story to not feel lost at all. Kudos to the author for that!

Mack and Jamie have been apart for a while but have coincidentally run back into each other when Mack’s intel for a job was wrong. All of a sudden, lots of old feeling surface, not only for Mack and Jamie but for the entire team. Even though they are not blood related, they are family. This story goes on an intense journey of feelings between brothers and sister but even more intense feelings of intimate love between soulmates. On top of this, they have corrupt government officials, wicked doctors, and the regular bad guys to worry about. The entire story is thrilling, intense, sensual, with an intriguing espionage plot that will suck you in. I will be reading more by this author!

 

Christine Feehan profile image

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, with 83 published works in seven different series: Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, Sea Haven Series, Shadow Series, and Torpedo Ink Series. All seven of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Judgment Road, the first book in her newest series, Torpedo Ink, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

“After Bram Stoker, Anne Rice and Joss Whedon (who created the venerated Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Christine Feehan is the person most credited with popularizing the neck gripper.”—Time Magazine

“The Queen of paranormal romance.” —USA Today

Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense

#Review #AudioBook – Compound 26 (The Makanza Series Book 1) by Krista Street

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A deadly virus. A brilliant, young researcher. And an infected survivor who threatens to steal her heart.

In a society ruled by sanctions and curfews, Dr. Meghan Forester emerges as the youngest and most promising scientist to join the fight against Makanza—the deadly virus that’s ravaged the world.

Inside Compound 26, a giant government-controlled research facility, Meghan’s new job involves studying the Kazzies, the rare survivors who carry the virus and now exhibit supernatural powers. But as her work unfolds, Meghan’s horrified at the brutal and unethical practices the Kazzies are subjected to.

And most surprisingly, she falls in love with one.

Faced with growing conflict over helping the Kazzies versus following the Compound’s strict policies, Meghan must choose: obey the government’s unethical practices or risk everything to save the only man she’s ever loved.

 

The Makanza Series is a complete series in which fantastical powers collide with modern science. Dive into this imaginative and romantic series today. Download now!

 

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Kelly’s Review

I picked this up on a promotion for free and gave it a try. This is during a time that is beyond infection. Infecteds have been rounded up and locked away, for “science.” Meghan has worked extremely hard to understand the virus become a scientist to join the fight against the virus. As she starts work at the facility, she realizes that the Kazzies are being tested against their will. They are being tortured, and she is in waaay over her head. I listened to the audio book and the narrator did very well. However, the story itself moved rather slow and seemed to repeat itself, or rather the scenarios repeated themselves a bit. There really wasn’t a big climax either. I felt like there should have been more action or more of a romance going on but I couldn’t really get invested in the story because it took a bit too long to get there. I am interested in what happens next but I am not sure if I will be continuing this series. It’s a 3.5 stars for me. We will see what happens.

 

Krista Street profile image

Krista Street loves writing fantasy and paranormal romance books. She’s a Minnesota native but has lived throughout the U.S. and in another country or two. She loves to travel, read, and spend time in the great outdoors. When not writing, Krista is either chasing her children, spending time with her husband and friends, sipping a cup of tea, or enjoying the hidden gems of beauty that Minnesota has to offer.

Apocalyptic, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense, Vampire, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR25 #Review – Reign of Blood (The Vampires of Vegas Book 1) by Alexia Purdy

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“Never tease anything that wants to eat you. My name is April Tate and my blood is the new gold. Vampires and hybrids have overrun my world, once vibrant with life, but now a graveyard of death shrouded in shadows. I fight to survive; I fight for my mother and brother. The journey is full of turns that I am quite unprepared for. And I’m just hoping to make it to the next Vegas sunrise…”In a post-apocalyptic world, a viral epidemic has wiped out most of the earth’s population, leaving behind few humans but untold numbers of mutated vampires. April is a seventeen-year-old girl who lives in the remains of Las Vegas one year after the outbreak. She has become a ferocious vampire killer and after her family is abducted, she goes searching for them. What she finds is a new breed of vampire, unlike any she has seen before. Unsure of whom she can trust, she discovers that her view of the world is not as black and white as she once thought, and she’s willing to bend the rules to rescue her family. But in trying to save them, she may only succeed in bringing her fragile world crashing down around her.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

Ok, so, I am a sucker for post-apocalyptic, dystopian, end of the world, zombies, vampires, etc. Now this series, it mixes post-apocalyptic and vamps….I just had to read it!

When the world around you has become a graveyard and everything has been taken away from you, what do you have to live for? April is trying to live. She is a 17-year-old who has to grow up really fast and lives for her mother and brother. When they are abducted, she just has to find them.

It has been a year since a virus outbreak that didn’t cause zombies but there was an outbreak of feral vampires. I have to be honest and eyerolled a bit here because I was hoping for something a bit more original instead of a virus. However, I continued. While April is out searching for her family and during one of her rage killings of feral vampires, she is introduced to a hybrid vampire. Ultimately, an entire hive of hybrid vampires. Turns out that that she has something that this hive needs, but she also needs this hive to help her find her family. A little tit for tat. Nothing wrong with that, right? While this part of the story is unfolding, we end up getting some cliché’ vampire vibes (forever mating, being able to walk in sunlight, etc.) and I had to hide another slight eyeroll. I had a bit of problem that a year has gone by and April and her family never ran into the hybrids in Las Vegas while foraging.

While some of these things bothered me during the story, the writing was done very well. Even though some of it wasn’t as original as I had hoped, there is a lot of great writing and story telling that keeps you turning the pages. The characters are well developed and April is extremely easy to identify with. Her internal struggle is very real. If placed in a similar position, I don’t know if many people could mentally handle the situation. There is quite the plot twist that is keeping me hanging on and I do need to continue to find out what happens. I am also invested in her love interest *wags eyebrows*!

Alexia Purdy profile image

Alexia is a USA Today Bestselling author who currently lives in Las Vegas and loves spending every free moment writing or hanging out with her four rambunctious kids. Writing is the ultimate getaway for her since she’s always lost in her head. She is best known for her award-winning Reign of Blood series, and A Dark Faerie Tale Series.

Sign up for email updates and exclusive giveaways: http://smarturl.it/AlexiaPurdyNews

Follow links: https://linktr.ee/alexiapurdy

Apocalyptic, Novella, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense, Vampire, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR25 #Review – Resonant (The Vampires of Vegas Prequel) by Alexis Purdy

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Surviving is worse than death…

As the first days of the end of humanity tumble across the city of Las Vegas in the form of an overwhelming viral infection, turning almost everyone into vampire-like creatures, April Tate will find out what it really means to survive. What does it take to make it out alive in a place where everything is but a withered echo of its former self, and death does not come willingly?

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I love Prequels! Especially after you get invested with the main character and just NEED to see what the heck they went through at the beginning. However, in this instance, I started with the prequel. Sometimes, this is a big no no because you are just not committed to the story yet. Well, Alexia Purdy is a new to me author and I am now invested in this story. I need to know what craziness April and her family are about to get into. APOCALYPTIC VAMPIRES! I read this in less than an hour and was so bummed that the story was over. But the best part is, I get to dive right into Reign of Blood like, RIGHT NOW! See ya on the flip side!

Alexia Purdy profile image

Alexia is a USA Today Bestselling author who currently lives in Las Vegas and loves spending every free moment writing or hanging out with her four rambunctious kids. Writing is the ultimate getaway for her since she’s always lost in her head. She is best known for her award-winning Reign of Blood series, and A Dark Faerie Tale Series.

Sign up for email updates and exclusive giveaways: http://smarturl.it/AlexiaPurdyNews

Follow links: https://linktr.ee/alexiapurdy

Fantasy, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi

#Review #GhostShip – Hull and Fire (The Wards of Minera Book 1) by James W. Cutter

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Levy Tren-Ulitese—Lor of the Land and gentleman of high society—is awoken in the early hours of the morning for an emergency: his father’s ship, missing for nine years now, has reappeared near the mouth of its home harbour entirely bereft of its crew. The expedition to the New World, a place they call ‘Minera’, apparently ended in tragedy. But how did the ship sail itself home? What happened to the crew? And what is the strange, dark artifact found aboard her?

Pushed by internal divisions and outside political forces, Levy and his sister are forced to refit the ship and flee the only city they’ve ever called home. Declared fugitives by their father’s old allies, they assemble a strange crew of the desperate and depraved; a turncoat imperial marine, a man that can manipulate the spirit-lines of the world, a war-hero famed for his supernatural accuracy with the musket, and a mute stow-away with mysterious powers. Together, they will follow in the wake of Levy’s father.

Together they will find a new home on the shores of Minera!

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I enjoy finding stories that are truly different. When I read the blurb, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into, but I am happy to say that I was completely engrossed by the story from start to finish. As a matter of fact, I finished the book and didn’t realize I finished the book, and that was the point I realized I needed to read more. (Boy that was a mouthful, lol)

There is a LOT going on in Hull and Fire with many complex characters and with pretty elaborate world building going on. One of my only real issues with the story itself is that there are many POVs that this story is told from. It was a little tough trying to keep everyone straight at first. But once I got into a groove, I couldn’t put the book down.

There are mysterious forces at work. A lot of lies and a lot of omissions happening at the same time. When everyone starts to turn on Levy and his kind, he takes things into his own hands. Instead of trying to change the people’s minds and face what can certainly be an awful outcome for his family, he defies the odds and moves on to a new world. It’s a compelling story that had me absolutely captivated. I look forward to finding out what happens next!

Pssst, the ghost ship is only going to be the beginning. It has to be. It was an incredible twist at the end to tie in one of the current characters with Levy’s father, the captain of the ghost ship! Kudos to the author!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

James W. Cutter profile image

James W. Cutter began writing at a young age, with a craft that was forged in the snows of Northern Ontario, quenched in the swells of the Pacific, and tempered by the misty rainforests of British Columbia.

James interrupts his writing habit with a day job. He writes from an undisclosed, cougar-free location on Vancouver Island, Canada.