A Thrilling Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy Novel ~ @LaurieKozlowski ‘s Review of “Dying Dreams” by @KatharineSadler

Liza Simmons has just learned she is a banshee who dreams of death. Problem is, the government knows what she is and they want her to work for them, touching dead bodies and dreaming of how the victims died. In 2070, in a world ravaged by climate change, the fae have few rights and Liza doesn’t have any other options than to do what the government wants. Agent Sloane Rice works for the supernatural protection agency, or SPA, and it’s his fault the government knows what Liza can do. He convinces her to sign on with SPA, as an agent, to avoid becoming a government science experiment. Liza works with Rice to find out why several mermaids have disappeared or died in recent weeks. During their investigation, they uncover a larger crime and a possible fae rebellion. They both know they need to focus on the job and ignore the mutual attraction growing between them, but trying to fight it may get them killed. Especially when the fae rebel behind all of the recent violence discovers that they are on his trail.

Dying Dreams Series
Book One  * AMAZON *

❇~❇~REVIEW ~❇~❇

A Thrilling Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy Novel

I didn’t know what to expect when I read the blurb to “Dying Dreams”, but I knew this story was something completely different from what I usually read. As I began to dig into the novel…my assumption was an understatement!

In the beginning, I had a glimpse of what Liza’s life was like. It was an unusual opening, to see a dead mermaid on the beach. The dark and ominous setting pulled me in, as Liza met Sloane, a hunky agent working for SPA (a human government agency) and his partner, Folsom.
I liked how the author laid out ‘clues’ to build the fairy world in opposition to the human world. When Liza noticed her friend had hooves instead of legs, I had to smile. Her ‘friend’ didn’t turn out to be who she thought he was, and so then my mind began to try and solve this mystery of fae worlds, shapeshifter dominance, and human conspiracy.

By the last few chapters, I wanted to scream at the villain and go into the story and kick his ass for making Liza suffer. It was torture to read what the jerk did to her! However, this book had a great ending and left enough suspense to make me want to read the next book. So, the story ends in a way where the ties are all secured but leaves a tiny bit of mystery to drive me crazy!!

I fell in love with Sloane and Liza earned my respect. “Dying Dreams” is a HOT book that is deceptively sweet to begin with, and then BOOM. There were a few word and punctuation inconsistencies that I noticed in the very beginning; they made me pause and wonder. Overall, this book is a MUST READ for those who enjoy urban fantasy, heavy on the romance, with wonderful characters and a storyline that will make you sigh, cry, and (possibly) scream at the villain! Great book!

RATING: Four out of Five Stars * * * * 

****** ARC was given by the author in exchange for an honest review ******

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❇~❇~ More Books by Katharine Sadler ~❇~❇

THE REAPERS SERIES

The Reaping Series, book ONE

The Reaping Series, Book TWO

The Reaping Series, Book THREE

The Reaping Series, Book FOUR

For more info on The Reapers series and Dying Dreams series, visit Katharine’s website.

www.katharinesadler.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: I have loved books for as long as I can remember. Growing up in rural Virginia, books were a way to visit other lives and other worlds. As an itty-bitty I adored The Little Match Girl and asked my father to read it to me again and again. As I got older, and I could read to myself, I discovered an entire magical world of books. I read whatever I could get my hands on and loved everything from the books of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, to the horror of Christopher Pike, to the magic of Anne McCaffrey and her dragons of Pern. I remember waking up on Saturday mornings, excited to go to the library and get new books. When I got home with my books, I’d stack them in the order I intended to read them (usually alphabetical by author). I started writing when I was ten. I wrote a poem on the school bus and, for a little while, thought I would be a poet. As I got older, though, I realized that my poetry was not very good, and I started writing stories. I think my first story involved a pirate and a damsel in distress. I wrote fantasy for a while, then tried to write something more literary, before switching back to my first love, fantasy. I earned a degree in English from the University of Virginia. I had worked retail jobs while I was in school and, after I graduated, I remained in the retail field because I felt it would allow me more time to write. I think I spent more time in the gym than I did writing, but I did manage to almost finish one book before putting it in the proverbial trunk and starting another. In 2001, I went backpacking around Europe for six weeks. I saw a lot of really amazing places and had a lot of fun, while learning that I am probably more of a hotel and suitcase than hostel and backpack kind of girl. When I got back from Europe, I moved to Colorado and lived the ski bum lifestyle for two seasons. I fell in love with the Rocky Mountains and with snow so deep I could disappear in it. I moved back to Virginia in 2003, and met my husband several months later. He has helped me to settle down and discover the focus and the discipline I needed to finish the book I’d been working on, what is now The Reaping. His belief in me and my abilities has never faltered, and he convinced me to self-publish my first book in February of 2014.

Review by @LaurieKozlowski of “Immortal Ever After” by Lynsay Sands #BookEscapeReviews #Amreading

A kiss doesn’t mean eternity . . .

Valerie Moyer doesn’t believe in vampires—until she is kidnapped by a fanged psychopath! After escaping her bloodthirsty captor, she’s through with creatures of the night. Until she finds herself under the protection of the darkly handsome Anders. Not only is she expected to accept that Anders is immortal, but also that she is the woman destined to be his life mate!

. . . Or does it?

Anders felt a connection to Valerie from the moment he cradled her bruised body in his arms. But before he claims her, he must destroy the vampire who almost stole her from him forever. His job would be easier if Valerie didn’t fight him every step of the way. Still, Anders loves a challenge, and the green-eyed beauty is worth fighting for!

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

Review of Immortal Ever After 

A Dark and Sexy Book

Being pulled into a Lynsay Sands book means I will always satisfy my craving for the paranormal world of vampires, dangerous villains, great suspense, and the right amount of “thriller.”

“Immortal Ever After” is one book of several from the Aragenau series. In this novel, I was pleased to meet the hunky and heroic Anders as he protected mortal Valerie. The best thing about Anders was his dominance in the story (alpha all the way), without having a “heavy-handed” attitude. It allowed for his intelligence and scars to show without being caught up in ego too much. He had a great sense of humor, also. Which I LOVE in an alpha hero!

Valerie had a tragic beginning in the story. It was honestly spooky to read, but the good part is that soon Anders and the good vamps soon step in to serve justice to the rouges. I love how Valerie and Leigh (a pregnant vamp) work together to get out of a dangerous situation toward the end. What Valerie does to the bad guy is…well, I won’t ruin it for you, but I’ll just say this–who knew duct tape and good bludgeon could be so hilarious?!

And there is the beauty of the Lynsay Sands story. Always well balanced with just the right amount of alpha in a hero and independent heroine. Usually comic relief at the strangest time possible. Then you leave a book wondering…when can I read the next one? Beautiful.

FIVE STARS * * * * *

Reviewed by Laurie Kozlowski — Also posted to Goodreads. Like this review? “Friend” Laurie on Goodreads! 🙂

****New Releases By Lynsay Sands****

About The Author

LYNSAY SANDS is the nationally bestselling author who is known for her hysterical historicals as well as the popular Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series. With her witty and charming personality, Sands describes books as, “Waking dreams or stories, tales to amuse, entertain and distract us from everyday life.” She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there are occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that’s just a big bonus. Visit her official website at www.lynsaysands.net.

 

 

@LaurieKozlowski ‘s Review of “A Lick of Flame” by AD Marrow #horrorfiction #suspense #romancebooks #amreading

In the battle between good and evil, there are angels, there are demons… and then there’s Dane Mason.

President of the Kill Devil Crew, his fighting skills are legendary both in Heaven and Hell. When a high ranking demon taps him for a prime spot down under, Dane must pull out all the stops to protect the town of Graves Hollow but more importantly, to save the soul of the one woman he can’t live without.

Where Dane destroys, Emme Rooney heals. Physician’s Assistant Emme sews up the members of Kill Devil Crew when the things that go bump in the night lash out. Dane knows loving him could get her killed, but her hands on his body sends him reeling out of control.

Dane pushes her away time and time again, only to be drawn back to her flame. Will his desire blind him to the real danger surrounding him?

Review of A LICK OF FLAME (Kill Devil Crew, Book One)

Amazon * All Romance * Bookstrand * Smashwords

Five of Five Stars

* * * * *

A Graphic, Gritty, Deliciously Dark and Dangerous Romance

A Lick of Flame left me riveted and edgy. I couldn’t believe the grittiness within the pages of A Lick of Flame, but the richness of the story and was absolutely mesmerizing. For me, since I read a lot of feel-good romances, it was sort of like noticing someone who is injured in an accident and coming to their aid, though I’m terrified of the wreckage around them and the fatal wounds to their body. If this light description makes you queasy…be prepared for this sinister mystery romance to hold you captive and push your boundaries concerning horror and romance. It is well worth the read to connect with the characters cast in this story.

Dane is leader of the Kill Devil Crew, a group of outlaws fighting demons who are trying to take over the world with evil, gruesome murders, and violence. His heart belongs to Emme…a woman he could potentially kill, but who also has the job of mending the members (including Dane), of the Kill Devil Crew, when they incur injuries from fighting the demons.

I can usually go into great detail about the plot and story and characters, but simply put–you just have to read this book to digest the decadence of all the layers. There is so much to appreciate about Dane, his ultimate mission for his crew and for his love, Emme. It is clear this series will revolve around the crew and males mostly, instead of highlighting the lead females. Or at least it was that way in this book. All the men in the crew are badasses, and Dane was hot, skillful, and dominant. The world in A Lick of Flame was dark and suspicious. You will be pulled in, no matter what you normally read, but especially if you love dark horror and mystery with a great and thick plot.

Review by Laurie Kozlowski

**ARC was given by the author in exchange for an honest review. **

Like this review? Why not connect with Laurie on Goodreads, too, and follow this blog?!

MORE BOOKS BY AD MARROW

Go to AD’s Website to view the excerpt for Love and Other Cosmic Nonsense

ABOUT AD MARROW

A.D Marrow is a  a registered Sapiophile, a proud Geek since before Geek was chic and believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. She lives in the foothills of North Carolina with her ridiculously hot and amazingly supportive husband, three kids that rock so hard there should be a national holiday for their awesomeness, two really stupid dogs and a plethora of Post-it notes with book ideas to last her until she’s 90. Her childhood dream is realized in the fact that YOU have cause to read her bio. She hopes that one day, it lends her enough credibility to live out her second dream, which is to write an episode of Doctor Who.

Her personal mantra echoes that of Morticia Adams; “Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.”

Book Escape Review of The Greatest Gift by Michael John Sullivan #amreading #inspirational #timetravel #fiction

Is there one more miracle left?
Teenager Elizabeth Stewart has been given the gift of life once more and uses it to risk everything for a close friend – even though it means leaving behind her father, Michael.
Distraught, Michael poses as a Roman soldier, takes a sea journey with an Apostle, and is asked to help write part of the Gospel in his quest to safely bring his daughter home to the twenty-first century.
In present time, Hewitt Paul, an embittered FBI special agent, seeks solutions to the mysteries surrounding Elizabeth and Michael’s disappearance.
As faith collides with cynicism and compassion faces off against cruelty, these three people will encounter the unimaginable in ways that alter their lives forever.
Thrilling, illuminating, and ultimately resounding, THE GREATEST GIFT concludes the trilogy begun in NECESSARY HEARTBREAK and EVERYBODY’S DAUGHTER in awe-inspiring fashion.

*** The Greatest Gift can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble ***

Book Review of The Greatest Gift

Five Stars * * * * *

Excellent Ending To A Great Series

I’ve been following the When Time Forgets series for a while now and each book has had the unique aspect of being inspirational without having religious overtones. This aspect has kept me reading the series, but also, I have enjoyed reading what Jerusalem and the depictions of people from the Bible, from Mr. Sullivan’s point of view.  In The Greatest Gift, I found myself connected with some characters more than others, but essentially the story was of the same excellent quality of the books before. It included mystery, action, inspiration, and was vividly drawn with words, as the story became increasingly more interesting.

What made The Greatest Gift stand out, to me, was finding out more about Hewitt Paul–a minor character from the series. Though he was not one of my favorite characters, I liked how his vulnerability showed toward the end. My favorite characters, aside from Michael and Elizabeth, would have to be Connie and Susan. I loved Connie’s no-filter approach toward Hewitt…and well, anyone. Susan was lovable in a practical way and was a good friend. Dennis was another great character.

There are two endings to this book. The author lets the reader choose. I’ve never been one to discriminate happy endings, so I chose them both! Great ending to the When Time Forgets series.

Reviewed by Laurie Kozlowski–also posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

LIKE THIS REVIEW? If you hang out more on Goodreads, why not connect with Laurie, there, too?

Laurie Kozlowski on Goodreads

~ More Works By This Author ~

Necessary Heartbreak, Book One in When Time Forgets Trilogy

Everybody’s Daughter, Book Two in When Time Forgets Trilogy

An Angel Comes Home, Prequel to Everybody’s Daughter, part of the When Time Forgets Trilogy

ABOUT MICHAEL JOHN SULLIVAN

Michael John Sullivan graduated with a communications degree and a promising future in the field of journalism after working for the official school paper the previous two years. Six months later, he found himself washing his hair in a toilet at the same university as he prepared for a job interview.

Sullivan was homeless at the age of 23 after first watching his mother — his protector in a dysfunctional family — die from cancer. A year later his father asked him to leave. Riding a New York City subway train at night, his only companion was a green plastic bag of belongings. During these bleak days he began writing his most reflective and emotional childhood and adult memories now featured in two of his novels.

On a bitterly cold New Year’s Eve that year, Sullivan intentionally hid under a pew in the back of a church to stay warm for the night. After the doors were locked, he lay near a makeshift manger, writing and talking to the baby Jesus. It was a cathartic experience, one that would continue to resonate with him years later.

He was rescued off the train by an aunt and uncle.

After spending much of the past two decades raising their daughters while working at home, Sullivan returned to his notes in 2007 and began writing Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness. It was published by Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books imprint in April 2010. The Library Journal named Necessary Heartbreak as one of the year’s best in Christian fiction for 2010. He recently finished the sequel, Everybody’s Daughter, featuring more memories from his young adult life, including the day he walked to Forest Park as he contemplated taking his own life. Only the strains of a song prevented him from doing the unthinkable.

Sullivan lives with his family in New York. He is a board member for the Long Island Coalition of the Homeless.

MJS Website

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MJS on Goodreads

Book Escape Review of ‘Between’ by Kerry Schafer #amreading #fantasy

Review of ‘Between’ by Kerry Schafer

Mesmerizing Mixture of Horror, Magic, and Romance

Five Stars * * * * *

I’ve always loved paranormal romance, but this book cannot be contained into just one category. Between is a terrific book. Vivian, the main character, but not the least of all the interesting characters throughout this book, resists her bloodline as sorceress and dragon. Her mother, Isobel, is constantly traveling in between worlds to get to her true love, Landon. The evil sorceress, Johanna, was a great villain-lethal and unmerciful. Of course, the highlight for me, was the side-romance of Vivian and Zee. He is introduced as a bookstore owner and artist, but Oh Wow!–How ‘more than meets the eye’ is revealed, easy going Zee proclaims his right as Warlord. He is scared from head to toe, and absolutely bad-ass and charming. And what woman wouldn’t want a flawed and tortured man with a heart of gold to slay a dragon for her! Oh, but Vivian can handle a dragon on her own…and that is all I’ll say. One of my favorite side-characters was Poe the penguin-he was so cute, and very protective of Vivian. I loved this book.

For the sake of readers who have a queasy stomach when it comes to gore, I will put this disclaimer: this story does include some graphic gore–but I felt it was weaved in a way that enhanced the story, overall. Also, if you are a survivor of rape, this book may contain ‘triggers’–the attempted rape scene in this book, is in a dream, and be assured the man attempting the heinous ‘dream act’ does not get away with it. Those things being said, I certainly do not discourage anyone from giving this book a chance. The world the author built was amazing, dark, and effective. The characters were always revealing layers of themselves, throughout the story. It was a wonderful fantasy fiction novel, overall.

Check out BETWEEN at most major retailers:

Barnes and Noble * Amazon * Books A Million * Indie Bound

Reviewed by Laurie Kozlowski–also posted to Goodreads.

LIKE THIS REVIEW? If you hang out more on Goodreads, why not connect with Laurie, there, too?

Laurie Kozlowski on Goodreads

ABOUT KERRY SCHAFER

Kerry Schafer is licensed both as a Mental Health Professional and an RN, and spends most of her daylight hours helping people–usually even with a smile. When she’s writing, she gets to blow stuff up and play around with dragons, exploding slime toads, and the other denizens of her imagination. She lives with her Viking in Colville, Washington, in a little house surrounded by rocks, trees, and gangs of deer and wild turkeys.

Kerry is the author of the Books of the Between (Between, 1/29/13; Wakeworld 1/28/14) and the Dream Wars Series (Dream Runner, Dream Thief, Dream Wars).

Second book of the BETWEEN series:

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Books A Million * Indie Bound

Vivian Maylor is trying to hold it together. But her attempts to build a life with the man she loves seem doomed by the dragon inside her yearning to break free. Vivian is a dreamshifter, the last line of defense between reality and the dreamworld, and the only one of her kind.

Weston Jennings also believes he is the only one of his kind. He fears his powers as a dreamshifter, and resists learning to control them. After suffering a tragic loss, Weston heads deep into the woods of the Pacific Northwest to embrace a safe life of solitude. But when a terrible mistake leads to an innocent’™s death, his guilt drives him to his former home, where he encounters what he never thought he would find: another shifter.

Now Vivian and Weston must work together to defeat a new threat to the dreamworld.

Kerry Schafer’s Website

Kerry Schafer on Facebook

Kerry Schafer on Goodreads

 

 

 

 

Book Escape Review of ‘Journey To Murder (An Alex Warren Novel)’ #Amreading #Suspense

A Wonderful Cozy Mystery With A Great Twist

5 Stars * * * * *

DJ Owen is a new author and her talent to tell a well-balanced mystery without extreme gore or violence was just what I had in mind. I’m usually hesitant to read those types of books because I have a low tolerance for violence, unless it is well-justified. I was not disappointed one bit, and rather amused by the book blurb, so I gave her book a chance and loved it.

Alex is a single mom and since the unsolved murders of parents and her husband, she and her daughter rely on her sister as Alex travels to find her own ‘justice’ in the world by targeting serial rapists and killers to prevent them from hurting anyone else. I know…I was hesitant about this story-line, too, until I read further into the story. It seemed a bit redundant, at first, for her to be a killer and to be going after other killers. But it’s also clear that her conscious is traumatized from the deaths of those closest to her. She will do anything to protect even a stranger from being attacked and feels deep remorse about her actions. In a way, this is a psychological thriller, but on the lighter side.

Kyle is a cop who steps in to help with Alex’s fifteen year old daughter, Amy, when Monica (Alex’s sister), is abducted by a dangerous psycho. I won’t say anything more, because it would tell too much, but the twist at the end was great. It is a short and cozy mystery, so expect predictability. But this book packs a punch with suspense, thriller, a sprinkled in love story, family, and  friendship. It is well worth your time to read this book if you like any or all of those elements. For me, it was just enough suspense to keep me intrigued without grossing me out. I loved it.

A side note: this story also contains the first chapter of the next book, Journey to Redemption, of the Alex Warren Novels series by DJ Owen.

Reviewed by Laurie Kozlowski – also posted to Smashwords

* Being that this book is a new release and isn’t yet on Goodreads or Amazon, I’ve only posted a review to Smashwords, in addition to this blog post.*

‘A Journey To Murder’ On Smashwords (Epub available download for Nook or read it directly, online)

Book Blurb

Alex Warren is a single soccer-mom and freelance writer with a mission — to help prevent the weak from being victimized. Traveling in her Winnebago, she seeks out those who would harm others to prevent them from hurting another person. She begins to fall for a Sheriff’s Deputy causing her to rethink her life when her only sister is kidnapped. Will she save her sister, or are both doomed?

About DJ Owen

DJ currently lives in Louisville, Kentucky.  She published her first newspaper at age six, interviewing her family members, typing her own stories and articles, drawing her own comics, and selling one copy of her one and only issue for a nickle.

She has always loved the written word, reading everything she could get her hands on.  She started out with The Bobsey Twins, then moved to The Hardy Boys.  She never really cared for Nancy Drew, but did read them if she had nothing else around.  Eventually she discovered Black Beauty, and as she moved into junior high and high school she began reading encyclopedias for fun.  She would read Popular Science and Mechanics Illustrated magazines, and then would read her mother’s Ladies’ Home Journal and Redbook… (Bio continued on her blog.)

Read her entire bio at her blog, HERE.