Review: Henry Wood Detective Agency by Brian Meeks

Henry Wood is a detective, we see him bringing in the New Year with more of a groan than a bang! His cases are predictable and safe. Heading to his office on New Years Day with nothing to do but needing somewhere to go and nurse his vodka fuelled hangover his fireworks are just about to start!

We are introduced to Luna, a lady who is looking for her father who's strict routine has been broken - and he seems to have disappeared! I instantly liked Luna, there seemed to be an 'air' around her and her instant trust in Henry - I knew it was going to be good.

I liked the fact that we find out that Henry enjoys making things out of wood - things that he doesn't know what they are called or what they are for but he just enjoys making them, usually in books when they go off the main subject it bugs me, in this book however I found it quite endearing and enjoyed reading about it as much as the main storyline.

Henry is a good detective and soon finds some clues, but he is surprised to discover that he is not the only person wanting to find Luna's father.

We see Sylvia who has lost her own father trying to save her fathers name. Henry is reluctant to trust that everything is as it seems when it comes to Sylvia but that all changes.

Henry receives some clues in quite an unorthodox manner - that in itself is a mystery (one which I'm sure we will discover more about in future books) and again this had me quite hooked.

I won't give anymore away about the actual storyline itself - you'll have to read to find out! I will however say that it had me intrigued throughout, it is one of those books that the more you read, the more you want to find out.

As well as wanting to read about what's next for Henry, I'm also intrigued about the other characters and where they're stories will end up.

To buy a copy visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ED65AM/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Early Review & Contest: Russell Brooks - Chill Run

This book has a great storyline which gets going right from the start. I instantly liked the characters and I thought that Eddie and Corey made a great duo, I very often found myself chuckling at them!

I loved the fact that Eddie was a writer who was trying to get published, I think that the desperation he felt at trying to get published was very true to life and came across as realistic.

I really felt for him when everything started going wrong following the plan that they had come up with. It seems to snowball more and more out of control and keeps you wanting to read more to see how he’s going to get out of it.

I enjoyed the story more and more as it developed but didn’t quite manage to guess the ending, which was a nice surprise.

This book has everything in it: action, drama, humour and romance! It is well written and well worth a read

Russell is giving 10 lucky readers the chance to win a copy of Chill Run - just leave a comment with your email address before November 30, 2011 at 8PM EST
Every email address will be put in a basket and to be sure that the contest is fair and impartial, Clinton (Russell's cat) will select the 10 winners for a free eBook copy of CHILL RUN!

Giveaway has now ENDED please visit Russell's blog to find out who the winners were here: http://www.russellparkway.blogspot.com/2011/12/russell-show-chill-run-contest-winners.html


To purchase a copy visit: http://www.amazon.com/Chill-Run-ebook/dp/B006GIYK42/

Review: Broken Promise by Laura Landon

I literally could not put this book down.

From the offset we see Captain Austin Landwell being held as a prisoner of war and see the nightmares that torture him throughout the book. He is asked to track someone down and discovers much more than he expected.

I loved the first scenes with Landwell and Sarah - the sparks between them were brilliantly described and from there I knew this book was going to be a ‘read in one sitting’.

The emotions in the book were so well written and so vivid - I could almost feel them myself, I really felt that I bonded with Landwell and Sarah. Both of them were unwilling to admit their feelings.

Landwell was so focused on trying to right the wrong that he had done and Sarah so innocent, yet very headstrong and loyal to her promise - literally risking her life to protect that promise - the life of baby Jonathan, who can never be given to his grandparents as he will be at risk. I loved the way that it unfolded and it appeared that although Jonathan was at risk - it might not be from his grandparents.

Both Landwell and Sarah are struggling with their emotions as they realise that standing by their decisions means two broken hearts - any changing of minds leads to Broken Promises.

This book truly is a wonderful read, full of passion, romance, overflowing with emotion and brilliantly written, I liked the fact that it wasn’t predictable - I was left wondering all along the way as to how the book was going to end.

To get your own copy visit: http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Promise-Brotherhood-Series-ebook/dp/B005VHL9FM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322166172&sr=8-2

Review: Steps to Heaven by Wendy Cartmell

Sergeant Major Crane is a Special Investigations Branch Investigator in the Armed Forces, based at Aldershot Garrison. The military detail in this book is superb, even down to the smallest of details.

I liked Crane instantly, his no-nonsense approach is just fantastic - bordering on comical at times. I liked the way that I also got an insight into his personal life as well, it really helped to build him as a character.

His team - Billy and Kim seem to have differences between them but both strive to do a good job for Crane - doing whatever it takes!

The incident that they are called out to is so horrific that Crane just can’t let it go, it is deemed as case closed and he is sent to investigate another incident. Only to find himself called back to that first case after another incident occurs miles away.

He enlists the help of Padre Symonds and ’civvy’ police Detective Anderson determined to get to the bottom of these incidents. I liked both of these characters and loved the way that the Padre was loving playing ‘detective’!! Anderson on the other hand had his hands full - trying to stop Crane who sometimes was a little harsh with people!

The story was great, as I started piecing bits together something else would appear or not quite add up - to be honest at one point I thought that we were never going to catch up with ‘Zachariah’. It was a bit slow starting but once I got into the storyline I was hooked.

I think the final showdown scene was fantastic and was so happy with the ending! It’ll be nice to ‘catch up’ with Crane in the next instalment of the series

To get your copy visit: http://www.amazon.com/Steps-to-Heaven-ebook/dp/B005U9T20A

Bundle Giveaway

This holiday season might bring for you a new handheld reader in your Christmas stocking. Or perhaps you might already have one of these e-readers. Whatever the case, surely you will be on the lookout for something interesting to load.

For those on the lookout, we bring a special holiday package; a little short story sampler containing some of the finest works of author Tom Raimbault. Recognized for his ability to submerse the reader in alternate reality, Tom Raimbault brings you the new age of horror—brilliant literary portraits of the macabre that can only come from a visionary author.

In the special holiday package, you receive his debut macabre writing, Donna the Unburied. The spirit of Donna haunts travelers on a dark and forested highway. Wouldn't you like to know her story? Wouldn't you like to know the terrifying moments that led to her life's end?

You also receive the masterpiece, The Pocket Watch. An old timepiece is found buried in an antique trunk of a basement. Some things are best left untouched. It was as-if winding up the pocket watch started a heartbeat that had been dead for many decades.

Finally, you will delight in the maddening tale, Fear of Needles. A mentally disturbed office worker has a dreadful phobia of pins and needles. Those around him laugh, but he will soon teach them all a lesson. Be prepared to squirm while reading this one.

But wait! There's more! Author Tom Raimbault also writes erotica. As an added bonus, we include two of his finest works of erotica. Curl up under the covers in your silky nightgown and enjoy the short story, Late Night Call for the Cableman. Poor Danielle is lonely, but calls the cable TV installer for a little late night company.

            Do you need to turn up the heat? Then check out The Wife's Panties, a story so smutty that we wouldn't dare mention the contents!

It's all there, waiting for you, hand-picked by author Tom Raimbault and presented as a holiday gift. Don't pass up the incredible opportunity to add these works in your e-reader. Be sure to enter the drawing by following the details below

Merry Christmas, happy holidays and the best of wishes to you in 2012!

 

Review: The Case of The Flashing Fashion Queen by N.L.Wilson

Loved this, a perfect balance of a good detective story, murder mystery, humour and even a little romance.

Dix Dodd is a Private Investigator who has stepped away from being ‘the girl’ to the men at the office and has branched out on her own, now specialising in discovering cheating spouses with a kick-ass attitude.

I immediately liked Dix, she is a determined lady, determined to prove everyone that doubted her wrong.

The storyline was good and it was fast paced which just made me want to read more and more, I couldn’t reach the end quick enough - I needed to find out!

And I really enjoyed the ending - it was a true Poirot style with everyone gathered together and the wonderful Dix centre stage. Not forgetting her trusted side-kick Dylan. I am left with the question as to whether romance will blossom, and just who was he on the phone to?!!

I liked the quick-witted humour in the book, not only from Dix and Dylan but from some of the other characters too. Each of the characters all played an integral part to the book and I hope that we get to see most of them again.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I will have to continue reading the rest of the Dix Dodd Series

To get your copy visit:  http://amzn.com/B004XT6L8E

Review: In The Presence Of Gods by Vincent Alascia

The storyline to this book is solidly built and flows nicely, there is no wandering off the path to the story, everything written is relevant and builds a strong story.

Theron and Ariadne are the two main characters, they are deeply in love but have been separated by college choices (and their parents!) although at times it seems that their relationship is strong but both have doubts as to whether it will survive across the continents. They luckily have two goddesses to hand to help guide them, I especially liked the scenes where the goddesses came to visit them.

I liked the way that the two goddesses, Aphrodite and Athena were half sisters who had differences of opinions on everything, but that all changed after Zeus’s revelation that threatened to end the world as they all knew it.

I enjoyed the fact that I was reading about the ancient Greek gods in modern times, the setting was very up to date - even including a reference to twitter!

I don’t want to give any more away about the book but found it a very intriguing read, with love, lies and life changing decisions.

To get your copy visit http://amzn.com/B005L9VMWK

Review: Misconception by Christy Hayes

I started reading this and after the initial chapter, I thought I had a pretty good idea as to where the book was going. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my thoughts were wrong.

I liked the fact that the two main characters were mother and daughter, one dealing with her husbands infidelity and the other trying to prove her faithfulness to her husband. There are definitely some twists and turns in this book, and I found that I kept feeling sorry for each of the characters in turn.

I loved the ending and was glad that all the loose ends were tied up - which is often a rare occasion in books.

This book is fast paced and very well written, well worth a read.

Review: The Bastard by Brenda Novak

I couldn’t read this book quick enough!!

I almost felt as though I was watching a film as I was reading this book, it was that descriptive and vivid. The book instantly grabbed me into the storyline and moved very rapidly, I found myself completely engrossed in the book and instantly took a liking to Jeannette and was willing her to escape the Baron. I was relieved when she stumbled across Lieutenant Treynor and thought that she had found safety. I loved the time they spent on the ship and the action lasted right until the end. The scenes were very descriptive and I felt as though I was right there with them. I thought the settings and the way the characters behaved were as they should be for the period that they were set in and the author did it brilliantly.

Definitely one to be added to your reading list.

I loved the ending too, I don‘t want to give away too much but it had me smiling, it has however left me wondering whether or not there will be sequel?!

To get a copy please visit: http://www.amazon.com/The-Bastard-ebook/dp/B005Z4ZX94/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320775189&sr=8-1

Review: Montana Dawn by Caroline Fyffe

This is a beautiful heart warming story, you know that love is going to blossom - you just don’t know how it’s going to end.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a Western Romance before so I wasn‘t really very sure what to expect, I feel that it was perfectly set and the scenes, smells and sounds were so vivid that I felt that I was sat in the midst of it.

I found that the more I read, the more I bonded with not only the main characters but all of the characters, even down to the ranch hands and I became used to ‘seeing’ them as I read each page - I think I’ll quite miss them now I’ve finished.

The storyline flows well and the book gets off to quite a dramatic start, it’s a fast paced book and has just the right balance of cowboys, horses and love!! I found myself laughing, smiling and crying as I was reading, the way the author has wrote this just captures your emotions and sweeps you along as you are reading.

I’m heading off to find the next part of the McCutcheon series - I’m looking forward to reading it.

To buy the book on Amazon visit: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Montana-Dawn-McCutcheon-Family-ebook/dp/B005R21RIK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320352409&sr=8-1