Killing the Reapers by Jeff Debing

June 22, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Killing the Reapers by Jeff Debing
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Ross is a young paramedic whose world takes a sudden tragic turn on what should be the best day of his life. Just before he can propose to his girlfriend, he suffers a massive heart attack and dies.

He awakens in the afterlife and learns that the Grim Reaper actually does exist. But not as the skeletal creature of mythology, instead it’s an organization of non-living individuals who look and act like ordinary people. Essentially undead civil servants, they walk among the living, unnoticed, as they perform their grim work of reaping the souls of people when they are destined to die.

He is shocked to learn that he died decades before he was supposed to, due to a tragic mishap. As Ross and the reapers seek a solution for his premature demise, fatal accidents suddenly begin to plague the reapers. Ross discovers that though the reapers aren’t truly alive, they can be killed.

When the growing number of mysterious reaper fatalities prevents Ross from getting his life back, he suspects they may not actually be accidents. He realizes that to have any chance to return to the life he was destined to live, he’ll first have to discover and stop whatever is killing the reapers.

Death isn’t the end.

The world building was complex and well done. I actually paused at one point to do an Internet search to find out if I’d accidentally stumbled into the middle of a series. The fact that it appeared to be something new and not connected to any other stories only impressed me even more. There were so many little details about the characters, setting, and unique rules of magic woven into every scene that I truly felt as if I’d stepped into another world. It was exciting to have this introduction, and it made me hope for a sequel.

There was only one thing holding this tale back from a much higher rating, and it had to do with how the characters were written. Mr. Debing introduced the audience to a large number of characters quite quickly in the early scenes. When combined with how little information we were given about the appearances or personalities of the majority of them, I had a lot of trouble remembering who was who. This was especially true when it came to the various grim reapers, although I would also struggle to describe Ross’ personality to anyone. Other than his love of his work and his desire to save every sick and injured person who crossed his path, I never got a strong sense of who he was as an individual.

I was pleased with how the mystery portion of the plot was written. The author did a good job of throwing a few clues out there for the audience without giving away so much information that it was easy to figure out the identity and motive of the killer. He struck a nice balance between developing this portion of the storyline and allowing the fantasy themes to take precedence when needed.

Killing the Reapers was a fast-paced novella that I’d recommend to anyone who loves urban fantasy.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Patron by Tess Thompson

June 15, 2021 By Leave a Comment


*The Patron by Tess Thompson
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

She’s afraid to take risks. He’s an incurable daredevil. When tragedy throws them together, will it spark a lasting devotion?

Crystal Whalen isn’t sure why she should go on. Two years after her husband’s death on a ski trip, she’s devastated when a fire destroys her quiet Colorado mountain home. And when she can’t keep her hands off the gorgeous divorcé who’s become her new temporary housemate, it only feeds her grief and growing guilt.

Garth Welte won’t be burned again. After his ex-wife took most of his money, the downhill-skiing Olympic medalist is determined to keep things casual with the sexy woman he can’t resist. But the more time they spend with each other, the harder it is to deny his burgeoning feelings.
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As Crystal’s longing for the rugged man’s embrace grows, she worries that his dangerous lifestyle will steal him away. And although Garth believes she’s his perfect girl, the specter of betrayal keeps a tight grip on his heart.

Will the thrill-seeker and the wary woman succumb to the power of love?

“Your life never ends up like you think it will.” When one of the characters in this story uttered these words, I thought it brilliantly summed up this story. The Patron is an enchanting story about Garth and Crystal, two people trying to move on from their past relationships. They are both closed off and afraid to take a chance on love, until a fire destroys both of their homes.

Tess Thompson is one of my go to authors and I especially love reading her small town romances. She does such a great job of writing this feel good story about small town life. I easily connected to Garth and Crystal. They are easy to like, well developed and both of them have a voice in this story, so I always knew what they were both thinking and feeling.

The plot isn’t complicated but it flows nicely and I loved being in Emerson Pass, right along with the characters in this story. This story has a sweet and magical feel to it and love is in the air, for not only Garth and Crystal, but some of the other characters included in this story.

This is a heartwarming story about forgiveness, new beginnings, moving on from grieving and learning to trust again. I liked all the characters In this story, but I especially loved Garth and Crystal. They are easy to like and connect with and I thought they were great together. If you like small town stories, that will put a smile on your face, give this a try.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Grimm Up North by David J. Gatward

June 15, 2021 By 1 Comment


Grimm Up North by David J. Gatward
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Edinburgh has Rebus.
The Highlands have Logan.
Now Yorkshire has Grimm.

Welcome to Wensleydale, where the cheese is famous, the scenery beautiful, and the locals have murder on their minds …

Detective Chief Inspector Harry Grimm is forced to take leave from Bristol’s Major Investigations Team when his boss, tired of Harry chasing the ghost of his murderous father, sends him north on secondment.

Used to city life and high stress, Harry fears his life will now be spent handing out speeding tickets, finding lost sheep, and directing tourists. But when a local teenager runs away, Harry finds himself pulled into an investigation much worse than anyone could have ever expected.

The nicer the place, the darker the secrets. Wensleydale is beautiful, everyone is friendly and welcoming, and people just don’t get murdered … do they? A classic fish-out-of-water crime mystery set in the stunning and evocative scenery of Wensleydale in North Yorkshire.

DCI Harry Grimm is frustrated but not overly surprised when his boss sends him up north to the countryside for secondment – far away from the Bristol Major Investigations team and life as he knows it – after he refuses to let go of the past and chasing elusive justice against his murderous father. Only life in the countryside isn’t as quiet or idyllic as Harry expects when a local teenager goes missing, and all too soon a body is found, murdered.

I absolutely adored this book. I was expecting just another “city cop goes unwillingly to the country” and instead found an amazingly well balanced and gripping story. While Harry is an excellent character, I found it particularly pleasing that he’s surrounded by a bunch of well written and equally interesting secondary characters. Harry’s brother Ben (and the obviously complicated, unresolved history there) and the various members of the small police station in Wensleydale – Jim in particular – weren’t just cookie cutter or slapped into the story to show Harry in a good light or be cardboard cutouts to further the plot. It’s clear to me the author put an immense amount of thought, plan and detail into these characters and I found them as interesting and gripping as I did Harry. This was refreshing to me and really helped me become fully immersed into Harry’s world.

I was also impressed that while on the surface the plot is incredibly simple – city cop goes to the country and realizes murder and mayhem happens everywhere – this book is so much more complicated and rich than that. The various interactions with the different police characters with the locals and the different pace and setting of small-town life. And while the problems might superficially appear easier they’re no less dangerous or significant to those who are effected. Add in a murder mystery and what I personally found was a fantastic tone and style of writing and I’d purchased the second book in the series before I’d made it half way through this story. I found it gripping, engrossing and wonderfully written.

I found it impressive the author also managed to clearly show that Harry has his own demons, along with a complicated relationship with his brother and I feel there is the over-arching plot-line of their father. While that part of the storyline wasn’t neatly wrapped up I felt the author did an exceptional job of making it clear this was a background and long-term personal goal/story-line and didn’t make it feel as if this particular book had dangling threads left or wasn’t finished to a satisfactory degree. I’m eager to start the next book and see not just how Harry continues to adjust to his new situation and how he relates to the many friends and characters – but also what progress is made on his more personal story-line.

With an interesting mystery – but far more importantly a wonderful set of characters and a new perspective – this was a magnificent story and one I greatly enjoyed. I will absolutely be reading the next installment soon.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Strong Within Us by J. A. Boulet

June 14, 2021 By 3 Comments


The Strong Within Us by J. A. Boulet
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

A struggle. A war. The past. Would you recover?

Nathan Olason picks up the pieces of his life in 1893 and becomes a devoted father and grandfather. Except something from his past is holding him back.

When his grandson, Mike, announces that he is joining the Great War, Nath fears the worst. Armed and deadly, his grandson hones his marksmanship skills to a perfection not seen in any other soldier. But once Mike arrives at Vimy Ridge, France, with the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, the biggest fight of his life has only begun.

Feeling helpless to stop this dangerous chain of events, Nath flees to a place that he thought was his salvation but turns into something else; an old weathered cottage that holds the key to his future.

Follow in the footsteps of heroes.

Be vulnerable.
Would you recover?

This is the second book in the The Olason Chronicles series, but it can definitely be read on its own (because I did so–however, I’ve bought the first book and preordered the third book in the series so I can find out what happened before and what happens next with this family!).

The author does a wonderful job at explaining a time of history I am not familiar with.  It’s really a time in history many folks don’t write or talk about, and I’m pleased the author chose to write such a well-researched and clearly described story. There were times when I forgot I was reading and lost myself in the action.  I ended up reading way too late in the night!

I also really enjoyed the characters as well. They are not perfect, but they are real. And I love family sagas…following the different generations of family history and what they go through, and how their family ties help keep them strong.  I can’t wait to read more about them. The author did a fantastic job making me care about them and what happens to them.  That’s the mark of a strong author and well-written book.

Congratulations, Ms. Boulet!  I’m looking forward to book three.

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Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Play by Kat Mizera

June 9, 2021 By Leave a Comment


*Play by Kat Mizera
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Tyler Thompson is a bona fide rock star.

He went on tour at seventeen and never looked back. And now, fifteen years later, he has more fame, fortune, and success than he ever imagined. He’s the bass player for a new band, Nobody’s Fool, and all he wants to do is get back on tour. But business and personal issues are blocking his next move.

Pop star Ariel Fox has been under her father’s thumb for so long she doesn’t remember what freedom is like. When she gets invited to record a single on Nobody’s Fool’s demo tape she’s ready for a week of work…and fun, without the watchful eye of her father. One look at Tyler’s blue eyes and she’s immediately snagged. She wants it all—him, success, a real future. But nothing is ever that simple.

Falling in love wasn’t part of the deal.

And when the record company tries to sabotage Nobody’s Fool, Ariel must choose between protecting Tyler and protecting herself.

Tyler and Ariel may be famous but they have problems just like all of us. I really enjoyed reading Play. It is an enchanting and emotional romance and it captivated me from the first page. The two main characters, Tyler and Ariel are easy to connect with, well developed and I instantly liked them. Kat Mizera knows how to write about characters that are realistic and down to earth, even though they live high profile lives.

Tyler and Ariel have tons of chemistry, feel comfortable together and quickly develop strong feelings for each other. Tyler is a bass player for a hot new band, Nobody’s Fool and Ariel is a famous pop princess. Yes, this plot has been used many times before, but I still found the story refreshing and I was eager to find out what happens next. Tyler and Ariel both stole my heart and I was rooting for them throughout the story and hoping everything would work out between them.

Tyler’s entertaining band mates are also included in the story and I thought it added another dimension to the story. Each of Tyler’s band mates will be getting their own book in the future and I look forward to reading their stories, too. This story has an interesting plot, great pacing and I loved reading Tyler and Ariel’s story. If you enjoy rock star romances as much as I do, you should read this one.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Good Luck Chestnut by Linda Gruenberg

June 8, 2021 By 3 Comments


Good Luck Chestnut: And Other Lucky Colors of the World by Linda Gruenberg
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Children’s
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy
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Good Luck Chestnut is a picture book full of colorful horses and colorful kids. In theory, the watercolor paintings illustrate horse colors, but in practice, they also capture the way children use horses as jungle gyms. The children sit backwards, hop on by leapfrogging, belly-flop off the horse into water, everything but sit forward in a saddle, riding-lesson proper. The names of horse colors are embedded in the text, while the various nationalities of the children visually round out the book’s concept. Any child should find themselves somewhere in the illustrations. This book is just yearning to be read aloud. The whole thing is a playground of rollicking slant rhymes hurtling itself toward the last simple message that every child deserves to hear.

Good Luck Chestnut: And Other Lucky Colors of the World is a delight to read, look at, and share. Delightfully dappled with cleverly combined words, the phrases all enhance the pictures. The book features horses, as one might guess, but also, features children! Smiling faces fill every page.

There is a bit of a clever ‘find it’ built into the pages, as certain items are mentioned within the sentences that can be located in the pictures. An unexpected item is often to be found decorating a corner or a t-shirt in the picture. However, the book is a collection of these delightful pages and does not build an actual story. Children won’t miss that if they take the time to enjoy each page and search out all of those subtle connections.

Good Luck Chestnut: And Other Lucky Colors of the World is a sheer delight and deserves every one of its 5 stars.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Paddles & Smooches: The Spanking Of Angora Wells by Montgomery Raye

June 3, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Paddles & Smooches: The Spanking Of Angora Wells by Montgomery Raye
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: Two stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When Angora Wells crossed paths with her father’s newest farmhand, Jake, things get out of hand, leaving this smart-ass young lady with a stinging surprise.

A stinging surprise is right.
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This is a short read and it packs the heat. It read quickly and was straightforward. Angora wants to be used. Get ready to grab the fan and a cold drink. This story is hot.

I do have a few quibbles. This story, while hot and short, could use a bit of a going over by an editor. There were missing words and the flow could be improved. It’s a hot story and enticing, but the cadence of the story needed just a little TLC. I also would’ve liked to have been in the head of the characters. It felt more like I was told the story rather than shown.

Now, this is a purely erotica style story. It’s meant to be decadent and hot and on that point, it hits the mark. There is spanking, back door play and dirty talk which will be great for erotica readers.

If you’re looking for something hot and short for an afternoon read, then this might be the one for you.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Master Fabrizzio’s Vault: Taking Eric by Catherine Dolore

May 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Master Fabrizzio’s Vault: Taking Eric by Catherine Dolore
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 2 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Behind the marble walls and manicured gardens of the Calvianni estate existed dark corners of temptation, torture and triumph…

Whew doggie….this one is hot.

I knew when I picked up this short story that it would scorch. It did. Eric thinks he’s going for business and he’s going to get so much more. He’s the type of guy who uses women and doesn’t think twice about it. It’s sort of nice to see him get the treatment he’s given in return, too.

This is a story of a man who gets it from three other men, so be warned. There is play in every orifice and even toys. It’s a complicated story. How will he respond when he’s treated in the same way he’s treated women before?

Granted, this is a hot story, but I have a few quibbles with it. This story could be great with a little more. I would’ve liked to have had a little more about Eric and his background. I know who he is, but I never really saw him. I don’t really know how he treated people in his past–it’s just hinted at. Adding those details would really round out the story well. Then there’s the editing. It could use a bit more going over from an editor as there are missing words and choppy sentences that messed with the flow of the story.

This is a hot story and it’s pure erotica. It’s also a bit of revenge fantasy in that some might want to see Eric get what he’s due. If you want a hot story that’s got lots of male-male action in a few pages, then this might be the one for you.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Veggie Patch Bandits by Riya Aarini

May 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Veggie Patch Bandits by Riya Aarini
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When a group of pesky animals raid Mr. Bagban’s garden, the gardener grows frustrated. Mr. Bagban tries everything to protect his veggie patch, but the animals just keep stealing! Will Mr. Bagban come up with a way to keep the thieving critters out? Find out in this hilarious garden tale!

Sharing is one thing, but how fair is it for a gardener to do all of the work and get none of the reward of eating the vegetables he worked so hard to grow?

The dialogue made me giggle. Much of it happened just after the main character discovered that the animals who lived nearby him had yet again eaten something from his garden that he was planning to harvest himself that same day. He was understandably quite upset about that, and it often showed in the short exclamations of annoyance he made each time it occurred. It was cool to see how much emotion the author packed into those moments. I had exactly what I needed as a reader to empathize with his disappointment.

There was a minor plot hole involving how Mr. Bagban communicated with the hungry animals in his garden that I would have liked to see explained more clearly. The illustrations gave a partial answer. If the story itself had acknowledged it and gone into some detail, I would have happily given a five-star rating to this tale. Everything else about it was well written.

I adored the messages about handling conflict and channeling negative emotions that were included in this story. It was refreshing to see a character openly discuss his problems, admit that they made him angry, and try to find a solution that worked equally well for everyone involved. These are things that even adults struggle with at times. They’re even more difficult for young children who are still learning how to see the world from other points of view and think before they act. Luckily, all of these characters were excellent role models in these areas.

The Veggie Patch Bandits was a delightful read for gardeners of all ages.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Doctor on Call by Alla Shapiro, MD

May 28, 2021 By 1 Comment


Doctor on Call: Chernobyl Responder, Jewish Refugee, Radiation Expert by Alla Shapiro, MD
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Non-Fiction, Historical, Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Dr. Alla Shapiro was a first physician-responder to the worst nuclear disaster in history: the explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station in Ukraine on April 26, 1986. Information about the explosion was withheld from first responders, who were not given basic supplies, detailed instructions, or protective clothing. Amid an eerie and pervasive silence, Dr. Shapiro treated traumatized children as she tried to protect her family. No protocols were in place because no one had anticipated the consequences of a nuclear accident. From the outset of the disaster, the Soviet government worsened matters by spreading misinformation; and first responders, including Alla, were ordered to partake in the deception of the public.

After years of persistent professional hostility and personal discrimination that she and her family experienced as Jewish citizens of the USSR, four generations of the Shapiro family fled the Soviet Union in the late 1980s. As émigrés, they were each allowed to take no more than 40 pounds of possessions and $90 in cash. Their escape route took them first to Vienna and then to Italy, where they were stranded as stateless persons for six months. Eventually the family received permission to enter the United States.

Motivated by her Chernobyl experiences, Alla Shapiro ultimately became one of the world’s leading experts in the development of medical countermeasures against radiation exposure. From 2003 to 2019, she worked for the FDA on disaster readiness and preparation. Dr. Shapiro issues stern warnings regarding the preparedness―or lack thereof―of America for the current Covid-19 pandemic. Doctor on Call exposes the horrifying truths of Chernobyl and alerts us to the deceptions that undermine our ability to respond to global disasters.

Dr. Alla Shapiro has written a poignant story about being a first responder during the Chernobyl crisis. She has also described her experiences as a Jewish refugee and immigrant to the United States. Readers are treated to an inside look at what really happened, and the writing draws one into the account.

One may be shocked at times to discover the bare facts. It is quite enlightening; though, Dr. Shapiro’s personal comments add depth to this story. Her struggles and the struggles of those she witnessed will tug at hearts.

When the doctor and her family move to the United States, they must get used to a new culture and language. Readers will get a good sense of what this is like. Dr. Shapiro does not let the tragedy at the Chernobyl plant and its aftermath keep her from continuing forth bravely. Her continued work in her field and cooperation with other experts is explained and is sure to bring hope to others. She brings such a personal touch to technical ideas that readers will be made to truly understand. She also makes a connection to the Covid-19 Coronavirus, linking it to modern events.

One will not only learn much from this book but will also probably enjoy doing so.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
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