Wild-Born by Adrian Howell

Wild Born is a suspenseful, young adult, paranormal, thriller and the first book in the Psionic Pentalogy created by Adrian Howell.

When an accident renders twelve-year old Adrian immobile, he begins to develop telekinetic ability, that he has long suspected he has but not proven until now. Shortly after, however, his home is attacked and he finds himself separated from his sister, Cat.

He soon learns that he is a psionic, a human with special ability, and that there are more like him. After the catastrophic night that changed his seemingly normal life, Adrian ends up a fugitive depending heavily on his wit and undeveloped ability for survival and hunted by paranormal factions, each intent on having him on its side.

This is an exciting and suspenseful paranormal thriller that easily calls X-Men to mind. It portrays various human traits, emotions, and behaviors such as compassion, kindness, and unconditional love. It also depicts bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination. It shows that family is not limited to blood relations but those who are with you when you need them the most.

Scenes are carefully described in detail including chasing and fighting scenes. Characters are well-developed and accurately depicted like benevolent Cindy, naïve Adrian, and unpleasant Dr. Denman. Though the ending is less conclusive than my usual taste, it is understandably so.

Congratulations to Adrian Howell on such an exciting and enjoyable book. Some scenes, however, may be too violent for very young readers. For more books by this author, click HERE.

The Roots Have Dug into My Heart by Peter Fugazzotto

The Roots Have Dug into My Heart is a touching horror and paranormal novella written by Peter Fugazzotto.  

After a disastrous evening at a bar that ends in a creepy auditory hallucination seemingly coming from the tall marsh grasses, Jessie wakes up with a terrible hangover made worse by the fact that her daughter, Maya, is missing. Racked by guilt about her inability to watch over Maya, Jessie goes through the marsh in search of her daughter vowing to never neglect her again. Naturally, she is overjoyed when Maya is found, seemingly, shaken but relatively unharmed.

However, Jessie’s elation is short-lived as she senses something different with her daughter.  Aside from the smell of the swamp that Jessie can’t seem to wash off Maya, her daughter becomes uncharacteristically quiet. Maya also seems to lose her appetite even for foods she normally loves.

Amidst her desperate need to be a better person and the best mother she can be, and the suspicion that there is something terribly wrong Maya, Jessie finds an unlikely ally. Armed only with very little information and unconditional love for her daughter, Jessie and her friend set out for the marsh to find out the truth once and for all.

This is a scary, suspenseful, and touching story about a bum of a woman who struggles to be the best version of herself. It depicts how someone overcomes her self-destructive tendencies for the most important person in her life. It portrays clarity in the middle of confusion and courage in the middle of fear. It displays the amount of determination needed to win the prize of redemption.

Though the story appears to be simply about an irresponsible mother who lost her child to paranormal entity, there is so much more than that. It tells of the difficulty of a person to rise above adversity with her only beacon of hope snatched away from her. It also shows the tendency to prejudge someone by the way he or she lives. Most importantly, the book features the multidimensionality of the world we live in and that things are not the way they seem.

This is a relatively enjoyable book. Relatively in that, some readers who are not into horror stories may not choose to read it. I, myself, am not a horror book enthusiast. As a reviewer, however, I find the book well written and easy to read. Jessie is very well depicted as a person who blames everything and everybody else for her unpleasant situation making her very relatable. Moreover, the author is able to maintain an eerie mood right from the beginning down to the last page. Finally, though I prefer a different ending to the story, I find the conclusion quite satisfactory.

Congratulations to Peter Fugazzotto (@PeterFugazzotto) on such a well-written book! For more books by the author, click HERE.

Madam Tulip and the Serpent's Tree by David Ahern

Madam Tulip and the Serpent’s Tree is the fourth in the Madam Tulip Mystery Book Series created by David Ahern.

With the help of her now relatively-famous best friend, Bella, Irish American actress Derry O’Donnell dons her Madam Tulip persona as part of the grand birthday celebration of a famous pop singer. Up in the Dublin mountains, Derry finds herself amidst the members of a musical band, each with his or her own preoccupation. A pushy manager intent on keeping the band together, a high-strung singer visibly upset by the sudden disappearance of a beloved and revered friend, an anxious songwriter keeping something from fellow band members, and a charming sax player fascinated by Vikings.        

Ever professional and discreet, Madam Tulip is privy to information pertinent to the future of the entire band, information that may explain the whereabouts of a missing shaman.

As exciting and as funny as the previous three books, Madam Tulip and the Serpent’s Tree features the private lives of famous and very promising musicians. It depicts their lives behind the glitter and adoring fans, their pain, their fears, their insecurities. But most importantly, for me, the book portrays the humans inside the celebrities, their longing for love, belongingness, and acceptance.

The book is, as all the other books I have read by David Ahern, funny and lighthearted. It is, first and foremost, an easy read. It is exciting and suspenseful, with carefully and vividly described scenes. In addition to Derry, Bruce, Bella, Jacko and Vanessa, the author includes a variety of characters that the readers would easily relate with. Though the ending is not as conclusive as I wish, it is no doubt satisfying.

Congratulations to David Ahern (@DaveAhernWriter) on another enjoyable book! For more books by the author, click HERE.  

Order of Seven by Beth Teliho

Order of Seven is an intriguing, suspenseful and mind boggling ancient historical fiction book by Beth Teliho.

Devi has been having strange and recurrent dreams. Orphaned at a young age, Devi and her brother Nodin are adopted by kind and wonderful parents. However, despite the loving environment they grew up in, Devi and Nodin have special abilities that they would never understand unless they find out about their biological roots. While Nodin has empathic gifts, Devi has visions and an attachment to a particular tree.  

Now, at eighteen years old, Devi’s visions and dreams are getting more vivid and more detailed, and her need to connect with her tree is getting more frequent. With the help of a friend and a newly-met energy healer that makes her heart flutter, Devi takes a step, previously inconceivable to her, and discovers a shocking revelation not only about herself but also about the world.

This is a very interesting, intriguing, suspenseful and mind-boggling book that integrates myths, legends, and ancient history with modern and contemporary setting by featuring teenage characters and modern technological devices. Characters are well-developed with distinctive personalities. However, though the likely favorites are Devi and Baron, mine are Ben and Mapiya. They are my type of modern mystics. Quiet but powerful.

Congratulations to Beth Teliho (@beth_teliho) on such a very interesting and entertaining book. For more books by the author, click HERE.     

Brooding City by Tom Shutt

Brooding City is an intriguing and exciting paranormal thriller and the first book in the Brooding City Series created by Tom Shutt.

Detective Arthur Brennan works at Odols Police Department. Unbeknownst to his partner and to everybody else, however, he is a former Sleeper. Sleepers are individuals who can enter the dream of others and drive them to madness. They are people with extraordinary gifts and live among ordinary people.

Meanwhile, young Jeremy Scott discovers something special, albeit scary, about himself. He can access other people’s memories. With his newly-found gift, he finds out something that shakes his being to the core.

This is an interesting, intriguing, and an easy-read book. It explores the dream realm and subtly integrates it to the waking world. The story has two main plotlines, one features Detective Brennan who is presented with a murder case involving drugs, and the other features Jeremy Scott with his newly-discovered gift. The author creates intriguing characters including Detective Brennan himself, Uncle Rick, and Old Benjamin.

However, though the plot is, understandably, vague with this book being the first installment, I still find it difficult to stay interested. It is just not easy to stay focused when the scene shifts every other chapter and the details are given in painstakingly gradual manner. Moreover, it is hard to connect with the characters. Despite the backstories, I still feel that something is being held back which makes connecting with the characters not easy. Finally, the ending is inconclusive which could mean the reader has to read the next book to enjoy it fully.

Still, this is a very intriguing book and some readers may find it enjoyable. Congratulations to Tom Shutt (@TomShutt) on such an interesting book. For more books by the author, click HERE.

Two Minutes to Midnight by Willow Salix

Two Minutes to Midnight is a titillating paranormal romance and the first in The Carpe Noctem Series created by Willow Salix.  

Topaz Thompson is a practicing Wiccan. She teaches Mythology and Folklore at Athena’s Academy, a school that specializes in things weird and wonderful. When she is sent to investigate a self-professed supernatural being, Topaz is more than willing to go. What she discovers, however, is more than she hopes for.

In addition to the proof of existence of the most elusive supernatural creatures, Topaz finds something else, something beautiful and magical, something that she has found difficult to come by as evident by the string of failed blind dates she has been recently.

This is a very interesting book that offers a different take on the legends of the night walkers. Though the subject is far from unique, the theme of true and undying love, in addition to a fair amount of unexpected twist and turn of events, is enough to keep the reader’s interest. Sex scenes are described in vivid detail and the characters range from fascinating, to intriguing, to endearing. Though the ending seems a bit anticlimactic, I find in necessary and understandable.

All in all, I enjoyed this book more than I expected I would. It is interesting and entertaining. It is also quite an easy read. However, other readers may find the sex scenes a bit too much, more, in fact, than the description and profile of the supernatural creatures being featured in the book. It seems like the author focused more on the erotic part of the story than the peculiarities of the night walkers, which I believe was part of the selling point of this book. Though this is not necessarily a bad thing, it may leave some readers a, somehow, dissatisfied feeling as far as the paranormal aspect of the book is concerned.

Still, this is an enjoyable book and is worth reading.

Congratulations to Willow Salix (@willowdragoncat) on such an entertaining and enjoyable book. To know more about the author, click HERE.

The Ghost Writer by Damon Norko

The Ghost Writer is an easy read paranormal book written by Damon Norko.  

Arnold Showalter dreamed of becoming a writer but ended up working in a grocery store. Frustrated and discontented with his life, Arnold died and his dream of becoming a writer died with him.

Now, Arnold has a seemingly unlimited time in the afterlife. In between haunting the Mystic Caverns of the Appalachians, he works at the Orpheum Corporation as a writer and is popularly known as The Ghost Writer, enjoying a celebrity status. Too bad he is no longer alive to savor it.

His fame is due primarily to his ‘straightforward prose’ and ‘vivid portrayal’ of the human condition. Unbeknownst to his readers and fans, Arnold’s realistic depictions of life are inspired by the memories of his past, his dreams, wants, pains, and regrets. With no loved ones to visit every once in a while, Arnold seems as bitter in death as in life.   

Then, he meets Clarisse, a young ghost who was a victim of a fatal accident. Even in death, she seems to find a way to enjoy life.

This is an interesting depiction of afterlife based on the author’s imagination. Told in painful reminiscences, the book presents the reality of our limited stay in this world. For me, it is a call for introspection and reality check, for a chance to change whatever needs changing to have a more productive life.

However, I find the plot too ambiguous for my taste and the ending a little inconclusive. Still, I find the book enjoyable.

Congratulations to Damon Norko (@DamonNorko) on such a good paranormal book! For more books by the author, click HERE.

Hell Holes by Donald Firesmith

Hell Holes: WhatLurks Below is a paranormal novel and is the first in the two-book Hell Holes Book Series written by Donald Firesmith.

When giant holes appear overnight along the North Slope near the Arctic Circle, Kevin Kowalski, a representative of an oil company calls geology professor from University of Alaska Fairbanks Jack Oswald to fly over and investigate. Naturally, the oil company wants Jack to find out what’s causing the formation of holes and the likelihood that another one may open up under the pipeline, in which case, the company would face financial and environmental disaster.

Right away, Jacks picks his wife and colleague, Dr. Angela Menendez, a climatologist, to come with him as well as two of his graduate students, newly- weds Mark and Jill Starr. As they are preparing for their trip to the North Slope, a mesmerizingly beautiful photo-journalist, Aileen O-Shannon, invites herself and appoints herself as the fifth member of the team.

Upon their arrival, they are met by Kevin Kowalski himself and Bill Henderson, a wildlife biologist whose job is to watch over their backs and protect them from wild animals that might interfere with their research. However, no amount of planning or safety measures would prepare them for what lurks below.

With a consistently fast pacing, the book is told in the first person perspective of Professor Jack Oswald. It is intriguing and suspenseful and as soon as the action began, it didn’t stop until the last page of the book. Quite unpredictable and with surprising revelations, this book is perfect for paranormal, suspense and horror fans.

However, it seems like the author focuses more on the plot and the scene descriptions leaving the characters a little under-developed that short back stories wouldn’t hurt. Moreover, there are some noticeable errors within the entire book (like neckless instead of necklace).

Congratulations to Donald Firesmith (@DonFiresmith) on such an enjoyable book! For more books by the author, click HERE.

Eyes Don't Lie by Crystal Dawn Mason

Eyes Don’t Lie is an exciting thriller by Crystal Dawn Mason.

Unloved and abused as a child, Keith craves for the love he didn’t receive. Desperately hoping to find that love, he pursues curly haired brunettes with blue eyes but if he doesn’t get it, there will be hell to pay.   

Then along comes McKenzie, a grocery store cashier who has the ability to see evil through a person’s eye.

This is a fast paced, suspenseful and exciting thriller that will keep the readers at the edge of their seats. The plot, though not very original, is quite intense. The author is able to create the perfect antagonist: cold, brutal, ruthless, and trying so hard to fight a seemingly losing battle. The interrelationship between various characters is apparently well thought and heightens the suspense. Finally, though I usually go for a different type of ending, I appreciate how the author concludes this book. I find it ingenious and appropriate.

The most important part of the book, for me, is the subtle emphasis on the importance of parental love on children as well as the lasting effects of the lack of love and affection on children's character.  

However, I find the backstories, somehow, insufficient. It seems like there are too many questions left unanswered. Moreover, I find the characters, except for the antagonist, to be underdeveloped which makes it difficult to connect with them. Lenny, for instance, who plays an important role in the story, is not given enough backstories that it was hard to decide whether to like him, dislike him or to pity him. The same goes with Kate and Casey among others. Furthermore, I find McKenzie’s gift somehow downplayed. I was actually expecting more scenes displaying her gift if only to match the ruthlessness and cunning of the antagonist. In addition, I feel that the climax of the story came too soon or probably just sooner than I’m used to. Finally, there are several noticeable errors within the entire book including incorrect use of words and misplaced apostrophes.

Despite my issues, I enjoyed the book immensely. It is suspenseful and intense with an extremely creepy character that will make female readers more wary of people they just meet. It is easy to read and understand and I recommend it to readers who enjoy suspense and thriller novels.

Congratulations to Crystal Dawn Mason (@crystaldawn79_) on such an enjoyable book!    

Eyes Don’t Lie was an OnlineBookClub.org Book of the Day on March 10^th, 2018. You may check it out at Online Book Club.

Madam Tulip and the Bones of Chance by David Ahern

Madam Tulip and the Bones of Chance is the third book in the Madam Tulip Book Series created by David Ahern.

Irish-American actress Derry O’Donnel and her friends Bruce and Bella, once again find themselves out of work. So, after careful consideration of a surprise role in a movie, Derry and Bruce are packed and off to a romantic castle in the Scottish Highlands.

An attentive banker, a cheerful film producer, a seemingly indifferent wife, an ambitious PA and a charming estate manager are only among those whom Madam Tulip, celebrity fortune teller, gets a chance to meet. As unexpected events happen, as they do in movie sets, Derry is yet to know what her cards, her crystal ball and the bag of bones, have to say about the whole affair.

This is another hilarious and suspenseful Madam Tulip book. Told in easy to read, casual-conversational tone, this third book is a page turner just like the previous two. Unlike the two, however, I find this installment highly and remarkably unpredictable that it seems like all my deductions are way off the mark and they, indeed, are. Moreover, the romance is assimilated very smoothly and seamlessly. But I learned my lesson in Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts (Book 2) and read with extra care and reservation.

Needless to say, I like this book a lot. Though I think the paranormal stuff tends to be minimal compared with the first two books, the suspense and mystery make the reading an enjoyable experience. As I already mentioned in my review of Madam Tulip, AnIrish Cozy Mystery (Book 1), Jacko was my favorite character (he still is) flaws and all, but he comes neck and neck with the ever dependable and reliable Bruce.    

Congratulations to David Ahern (@DaveAhernWriter ) on another enjoyable book! For more books by the author, click HERE.          

Smith by Sam B. Miller II

Smith is an exciting and suspenseful paranormal thriller written by Sam B. Miller II.

Rob Goddard represents the Harvard Department of Archeological Projects in the investigation of the latest claimed discovery of King Solomon’s Temple in Israel.  With him is his eighteen year-old son Jake. Being an American in Israel is not easy for young Jake who spends most of his time defending himself from the townspeople who want him out of their land.

Bored from lack of anything to do besides playing video games, Jake, together with his friend Avner, follows a handwritten map he found on his father’s desk and sneaks to the new digging site. Running away from a possibly fatal encounter, Jake drops into a hole and unearths an aged leather pouch that contains a heavy gold colored ring with strange markings, King Solomon’s Ring of Power. 

Shortly after putting the ring on his finger, Jake hears the voice of Smith, the interface whose essence is imbued into the ring. He, then, finds himself in possession of an object of immense power.     

This is a fast-paced and action-filled thriller written in casual and conversational tone making it an easy read. The suspense is kept in high level right from the first up to the last page. Moreover, the plot is written in a way that even the readers find it difficult to decide whom to believe and trust. Furthermore, the author created two well developed characters that while Jake proves himself to be more than just an ordinary and naïve teenager, Smith who sounds like a funny, fun-loving and lighthearted disembodied voice proves himself to be capable of something else. My favorite character, however, is Inspector Nava Kilman. She is smart and brave, and she shows strength of character despite her youth, a real queen material. In addition, though the twist is, somehow, predictable, it is still a twist and it adds to the excitement of the already exciting story. Finally, the ending is exactly how I want it.

However, I find the back story on Smith and the creation of the Mouth of Truth a little bit vague.

Still I enjoyed this book immensely and I recommend it to readers who enjoy suspense and thriller novels with a touch of paranormal. Gory and violent scenes, however, may not be suitable for young readers.

Congratulations to Sam B. Miller II (@SamBMillerII ) on such a great book! For more books by the author, click HERE.      

Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts by David Ahern

Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts is Book 2 of the Madam Tulip Book Series created by David Ahern.

When part of Dublin’s Palace Theatre collapses, out-of-luck American actress Derry O-Donnell finds herself unemployed again. To help with the fundraising to hasten the repairs on the Palace Theatre, Derry teams up with her mother to organize a celebrity art exhibition. The auction reunites Derry with supermodel Marlene O’Mara and gets herself booked in an engagement party in an English stately home as Madam Tulip, fortune teller to the rich and famous.

Derry, together with her friend Bruce, travels all the way to England and meets with the Dowager Countess of Berkshire, a former chorus girl at the Palace Theatre. They also meet with the Earl of Berkshire, his two daughters Lady Charlotte and Lady Bryony, Lady Charlotte’s fiancé Torquil and the family’s curator, Sebastian.

However, just when Derry and Bruce are starting to get settled, they find themselves caught in the middle of a gruesome and threatening situation. Derry’s gift, as subtle as it is, offers very little help and it’s up to Derry and Bruce to go around the situation they find themselves in.

Just like the first book, Madam Tulip: An Irish Cozy Mystery, this is just as exciting and just as enjoyable. The author’s description of the affluence of the English aristocracy arouses envy in a common reader like myself. Unlike the first book, however, I find this to have a slower pacing while not all newly introduced characters are well-developed. The ending, though, is quite a blast and I like it a lot. Finally, I’m expecting for Madam Tulip’s ‘gift’ to be more developed by now but it seems like I have to wait for the next book in the series to find out.

Despite my issues, I enjoyed this book immensely.

Congratulations to David Ahern (@DaveAhernWriter) on another great read! For more books by the author, click HERE.      

The Last Child of Leif by Chris Pridmore

The Last Child of Lief is an exciting paranormal, historical fiction written by Chris Pridmore.

Young Valiant is a prince and heir to the throne of the kingdom of Munich. When he was five years old, his father was murdered and he and his mother, Queen Natasha, together with the queen’s personal bodyguard, Sebastian, fled from the castle.   

Sebastian and Valiant find refuge in a travelling circus owned and run by a kind and generous man, Konrad. There they met new friends with special talents. But they are far from safe. Because it seems like shadows are lurking wherever they go, and they are after Valiant.

This is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and action and adventure-filled book set in the early industrial era. Told, for the most part, in Valiant’s perspective, with occasional third person point of view, the book boasts of exciting chasing and fighting scenes.  Moreover, the author successfully keeps the suspense throughout the book using a tone fitting for the setting for both the narrative and the dialogue. More importantly, however, the book has a set of endearing and admirable characters. First of which is Sebastian, the honorable royal bodyguard who fights fiercely and loves steadfastly. Then there is Konrad, the gentle and accommodating circus owner who treats everyone as family.

Needless to say, I enjoyed this book immensely except for a few noticeable errors (like I used to that, waiving my stick and destroy the whole the building). Furthermore, though I find the ending satisfactory, it doesn’t answer the questions raised in the prologue. Still, this is one great book and I recommend it to readers who enjoy medieval historical fiction.

Congratulations Chris Pridmore (@ChrisPridmore) on such a great book! For updates on the author, click HERE. 

Hell Will Rise by Skyla Murphy

Hell Will Rise is Book 1 of the Bloodthirst Mafia Series written by Skyla Murphy.

It is not something he wants for himself, but Hunter is forced to join the Mafia in order to get custody of and protect his little sister Tessa, after their parents are killed. Not only does Hunter have a photographic memory, but he also has an uncanny ability with numbers making him a very valuable asset of the Mafia.

Smart as he is, Hunter knows right away that their ruthless and soulless leader has a special reason for putting a feisty blonde beside him, and when he finds out the truth, he is torn between his burning desire for revenge and an insane and illogical pull to protect her from everything and everyone including himself.

This is an exciting and romantic story of love, hate, revenge and redemption. The author keeps the book interesting and suspenseful by revealing the plot to the readers early on but at the same time keeping her main character ignorant of the truth. The readers are kept anticipating and, in my case, second-guessing Hunter’s reaction to each layer of revelation.

The author successfully creates endearing characters in both the male and female protagonists. Hunter is the perfect hero emboldened by his gift and haunted by his guilt but willing to do anything and everything for the people he loves while Shayla is the damsel in distress, beaten but not broken, who sees through Hunter’s façade and finds an affectionate and caring person.

However, in addition to a few noticeable errors, I didn’t like the ending much, though I believe it is a strategy to entice the readers to wait for the second book in the series. Still, I find this book very enjoyable.

Congratulations to Skyla Murphy (@skyla_murphy) on such a great book! To learn more about the author, click HERE. 

Bad War by Summer Cooper and Stephen Kingston

Bad War is a military paranormal romance written by Summer Cooper and Stephen Kingston.

After getting seriously injured in Vietnam, Zebadiah Rasnake is sent home to West Virginia. Though he knows he still has two more years of military service, he is happy to be going back to his family: his mother, his beautiful wife Mary and their unborn child to their modest house up in the woods.

As soon as Zeb gets off the bus, he senses something off with the way the bus driver and the other passengers look at him. Limping and in terrible pain, Zeb takes the three-mile long walk to their house bursting with anticipation for the reunion. As he neared, however, there lingers a strange burned out smell that makes Zeb feel uncomfortable. But the moment he sees Mary standing at the gate, Zeb rushes to her arms and everything else is pushed away to the back of his mind.

This is a short and eerie book filled with nagging mystery and sizzling love scenes. The entire book is written in easy-to-read style with vividly described scenes and predominantly vernacular dialogues. The plot, though not exceptionally unique, is interesting and attention-grabbing. The subtle hints to the mystery keep the readers going and wanting to know more.

However, due to the shortness of the book, there seems to be not enough space for ample backstories to solidify character development and explicate events. Still, it is one interesting and entertaining book about love that transcends death and mocks the living.

Congratulations to Summer Cooper and Stephen Kingston on such a great book! For more books by Summer Cooper, click HERE.  

Interesting Times by Matthew Storm

Interesting Times is the first book in the series of the same title written by Matthew Storm.

Oliver Jones is a financial analyst living an extremely boring life. Living alone and making do with microwave dinners, he is perfectly aware of how unexciting his life is. He intends to enroll in a cooking class but never gets around to actually doing it. 

His life takes a completely different turn when a stray cat he recently adopts suddenly talks to him. Now he is on the run, with a werewolf who favors Hawaiian shirts and a grumpy girl who, he believes, will shoot him for any reason. 

Somebody wants him dead and he doesn’t know why. Neither does the leader of the group who assumes the responsibility of keeping Oliver safe, Artemis, a little girl who is apparently older than any of them.

This is a fast-paced, action-filled, adorably funny and highly entertaining book. Worded casually and told in an almost jovial tone, this is a real page turner. The author tells the story very animatedly that reading feels like actually watching a movie. I can almost picture Jesse Eisenberg playing Oliver Jones. 

Admittedly, the plot seems shallow and trivial compared with other science fiction books, but it doesn’t make it less entertaining and enjoyable. I find the characters fascinating. My favorite characters include Oliver, Tyler and the talking cat. Oliver, with his cluelessness, is just like any other guy you meet on the street; Tyler, with his baking talent, is kind and dependable while the talking cat, with his sarcasm, is simply adorable. Needless to say I enjoyed this book a lot.

Congratulations Matthew Storm (@mjstorm) on such an amazing book!

Sandy's Story by D.F. Jones

Sandy’s Story is the third book in the Ditch Lane Diaries written by D.F. Jones.

Sandy, like her friends Ruby, Anna, Jerry and Lee, is one of the Campbell Ridge wards.  While Ruby is a dreamer and Anna is a healer, Sandy is a clairvoyant. As a reporter, Sandy uses her gift to get the truth for her stories and make sure justice is served. However, when a murder near Music Row leads her to a very important book, she is hunted by an evil man, Nick Steele, and some supernatural beings.

She reunites with the other wards and together with their guardian angels prepare for a prophesied battle catalyzed by the book she keeps. Sandy eventually learns the consequences of her actions not only to herself but to her loved ones as well. She turns to her guardian angel, Baldric, who protects her at all cost and breaks the rules of heaven by falling in love with his ward, which puts Sandy in even more danger.

This is a fast-paced, action-packed, ultimately romantic and suspenseful continuation to an already exciting series. The action started as soon as the book began and never stopped until the end. The reader is kept clinging to the book, holding his breath in anticipation of the climatic ending. At the end of the book, the reader is left satisfied but with a teeny bit of hope that, somehow, this is not the end of the story about the Campbell Ridge wards.

Congratulations to D.F. Jones (@Author_DFJones) on another amazing book!  For more books by D. F. Jones, click HERE.

The Spirit Guide by Elizabeth Davies

The Spirit Guide is a historical fiction written by Elizabeth Davies.

Set in 12th century Britain and told in the first person perspective, the story is about Seren, a 16-year old gentlewoman who has the ability to see and communicate with spirits of dead people. 

As she leaves her home to accompany Lady Matilda de Braose at Hay Castle, Seren meets various people whom she comes to love, to hate and to fear. Among them are Lady Matilda herself, Lady Matilda's most trusted adviser Vaughan fitz Maddock and an unknown knight whom she previously meets in the siege of Painscastle. 

For a paranormal story, this is creepy in an exciting way.  I have read several books with characters who can communicate with spirits but this is the first time I read about someone who guides the spirits to the light, making this story unique for me. 

There are so many things I like about this book. First of which, of course, is the romance part which is at times blissful and at other times painful, exactly how romance is supposed to be. Second is the surprises. They are plenty, making this book very difficult to put down. Finally, the ending is just awesome. It is not what I expected and I love it. 

Moreover, I commend the author for her top-rate descriptions. The settings are vividly described and the characters seem alive I can see them in my mind. 

Though I find the pace a little too slow and the use of language appropriate for the setting, somehow, makes for slow reading, still, it is one amazing read and I recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction, romance and paranormal. 

Congratulations to Elizabeth Davies (@BethsBooks) on such an amazing book!