The Colony - R M Gilmour #BookReview #amreading @RMGilmour

"Jordan would always find me, and my soul

would always be waiting for him."

 

A small confession to begin with...The Colony by R M Glimour - a book that I had the pleasure of reviewing - does not fall under the mythological / historical fiction genre ( although there are some really old dudes in it). It is, in fact, a SciFi Romance. But, boy, it is so good that I made an exception in this case...I just had to blog about it.

What's the story?

Dimensions could not keep them apart, but to stay together, Lydia will need to overcome the A.I. that controls his world.

When Lydia is pulled through spacetime into Jordan's plane of existence, she finds herself immersed in a world controlled by the Guardian, an artificial intelligence.  The Guardian's sole purpose is to protect the power source that runs the planet; but it does so at the cost of all who live outside of its city.

Sheltered in the Colony, beyond the city's borders, Lydia is befriended by an advanced race of hunters and warriors, who do all they can to protect her and themselves from the Guardian. To survive in this new world, she must find courage and strength, and learn to face her fears.  But to save her soulmate and the colonists from the Guardian, she must overcome those fears and embrace her inner strength.


What did I think of the story?

 If you are a fan of Stephenie Meyers, The Host, then you are going to love this book.

The Colony draws you in from the beginning, and keeps your attention. The writing is super-engaging. Spellbinding. It is one of those books where you think you have it all figured out. Then BOOM! - something completely extraordinary and unexpected happens. However, you don’t have time to sit back and contemplate these change of events, because the story is so fast paced you have to keep reading.

The Colony is all about human emotions.  Love. Hate. Pain. Joy. Grief. Hope. This book explores every emotion you can think of. It was very gripping and very easy to relate to.

Gilmour paints a vivid portrait of her protagonist, Lydia. By the close of the first chapter I felt like I had known her forever. Lydia bled on those pages -- there is no other way to describe it. I felt everything that was happening, or had happened to her. Her fear became my fear, as did her joy, as did her love.

The supporting characters were equally well developed. There personalities shone through, it was all very believable and very well crafted.

The whole A.I. taking control of the world is hardly anything new, but The Colony is not a recycled story in any way.  Gilmour brings a refreshing new slant to the A.I. concept.  I thought it was great.

I really liked this book and I am hoping there is going to be a sequel, because I am sure Glimour is not done with this story, or this world, yet.

I Highly Recommend. 

Where can I buy this fabulous book? 

Amazon

 

Barnes & Noble

About the author.

RMGilmour was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, the middle of three girls, but is currently living in sunny Florida with her two children, two cats and a turtle.

Her love of Science Fiction began at a young age, through watching Science Fiction movies and television shows with her Mom, and her love of writing and crafting stories began in grade school with the encouragement of her grade school teacher.

Writing stories and creating characters has been her passion ever since. 

Useful links

Website:  http://rmgilmour.wix.com/rmgilmour

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14139929.R_M_Gilmour

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/author.rmgilm

The Keresa Headdress - Larry Shackledford #BookReview #amreading @larrydshack

 "How do you know that the Keresa and the headdress really existed?

I was very excited to be given the chance to review The Keresa Headdress by Larry Shackleford. Larry is no stranger to this blog, recently he wrote a post about his inspirations behind The Keresa Headdress - if you missed his post you can catch it here.

What's the story?

It’s just a routine case at the FBI’s Salt Lake City offices. The young woman’s boyfriend is missing, possibly dead. Agent Karen Adams thinks he’s probably just out with another woman—but then the Royal Canadian Mounted Police come calling. Why would they care about a wayward addict cheating on his girlfriend in Utah?

Soon, Karen is involved in a case like nothing she’s ever seen, navigating through an international criminal network of drugs, sex trafficking, murder, and the black market trade of priceless archaeological relics.

Her new partner Marcus “Playboy” McCoy—handsome, charming, and almost unbearably crass—is equal parts help and hindrance as she navigates a seamy underworld in the Utah desert.

But she also finds assistance from some unusual sources: a graduate student in archaeology, a dissatisfied sister-wife from a polygamous commune, and an undercover Canadian Mountie. Together they become entangled in the web of international crime and the only way out is to find the most priceless artifact of all: the legendary Keresa Headdress.


 What did I think of the Story?

Oh my days - what a story. From the opening passage I was gripped. I was seriously addicted to this book.

Let me set the scene...imagine, if you will, Lethal Weapon mixed with Indiana Jones, 24, Spooks, Little House on the Prairie (yes, I did just say that!) and I don't know...something similar to the beautiful romance that was in Water for Elephants -- I kid you not -- This was all in one book!

There is no doubt in my mind that Shackelford is a master storyteller - it was like watching a movie - it was that easy to read. The pace of the story did not once slow down. This book draws you in and keeps you there, right up until the end.

Karen is such a superb character. I think we all know someone like Karen. She was alive in this book. She was so real, so believably wonderful – in my opinion, the perfect protagonist.

In contrast, if there was ever a partner so unsuitable for Karen it had to be Marcus. They played so well off each other, Karen was smart, respectable, while Marcus was an oversexed.... I found myself cringing, alongside Karen, at Marcus's many antics and please don't get me started on those grossly inappropriate Hawaiian shirts!

The story has so many twists, turns and unexpected events that this is a sitting-on-the-edge-of your-seat type of experience. It is a full on action adventure, with archaeology thrown in. Bonus!

The story does deal with some really difficult issues. There is a dark underworld in this book which preys on the vulnerable. I thought Shackelford was very sensitive in his approach when he wrote about this.

The antagonists were, as you would expect - awful, but very, very clever. They were not stupid villains; they had connections, insiders. They were ruthless in their pursuit of their goals. They were in it for the money, and nothing, not even the FBI was going to get in their way. Indeed, for most of the book the FBI were chasing their own tails - always one step behind.

The book, as the title suggests, revolves around the Black-Market in stolen archaeological artifacts. I found this absolutely fascinating. I thought this was a tricky subject to explain without it becoming a mini-lecture, but Shackledford depicted his knowledge so well that I didn't realise it was being explained - it was just part of the story. Now that takes some talent

The Keresa Headdress is a truly remarkable book. I loved it! I will definitely be reading more books from this author.

I would Highly Recommend that you check this out.

Where can I buy this fabulous book? 

 

US

UK

About the author

Larry was raised in southwest Missouri where he received his college degree, but he received his education after he graduated and began working in a maximum-security federal prison. After spending two years behind bars, he continued his law enforcement career as a criminal investigator, residing and working in eight states and two foreign countries. Larry retired from law enforcement after twenty-five years of service and resides in Salt Lake City with his wife and cat.

Gyre (Atlas Link Series Book 1) #BookReview @JessGunnAuthor

Today I am checking out NA Author Jessica Gunn - Gyre

What. The. Hell.

Chelsea had not meant to teleport. She certainly had not meant to teleport across the ocean to a secret military research station where a guy she once met in an alley in Boston worked.

Before the whole teleport business, Chelsea had her life mapped out. She was going to be an archaeologist. Spend her days digging up the past and her evening devoted to her rock band. Damn it all, she was meant to be performing at the Battle of the Bands. She wasn't meant to be here, with Trevor - the guy who had stepped in when she was being mugged.

Trevor had never met anyone like Chelsea before, her eyes drew him in. He couldn't stop thinking about her. But the very last place he wanted her was on board eaSatellite5. And the fact that she teleported in meant only one thing – her ancestors are from Atlanta - his ancestors sworn enemy. He had to get her off the station - for her own protection and for his sanity.

Chelsea has no idea what has just happened to her, but there are people at the station that can help her with her new found superpowers. But an ancient war - she never knew existed - is still raging and Chelsea is of interest to both sides, for she can read a sacred map that could bring the war to an end once and for all.

Can Trevor keep her safe while a war, not of their making, threatens to destroy their lives?

 What did I think of the Story?

Ancient myths, fantasy, archaeology, time-travel and romance - this book had a bit of everything. I liked the idea of an ancient battle and time-travel - this really caught my interest. 

Chelsea was an interesting character. She acts rather childish to begin with - and has a very aggressive attitude that I didn't really take to. Yes, she has a past - her boyfriend betrayed her and is now making-out with her ex best-friend – there is no doubt that she was treated appallingly, but she just came across as too aggressive for my liking. Once she had teleported I began to warm to her more, and as her relationship developed with Trevor she became much more likable and I enjoyed reading about her. 

Trevor, however, I liked right from the start. He was a little unbelievable as a computer geek...he didn't seem to know what was going on with his own computer system - which I thought was slightly odd. But nevertheless he was endearing.  He kept far too many secrets, in a mistaken belief that he was protecting Chelsea. A bad decision. It was obvious that she needed to know who she really was and what that meant for her safety. Instead she found herself in impossible situations with no idea what was going on and what to do about it.

The plot was good. It was engaging - if not a little predictable and I felt it wasn't always fully developed. I am guessing that is because we will learn more in the next book. Can't wait for the next book!

What Gunn wrote exceptional well was the romance between Chelsea and Trevor. The idea that whenever she was in distress she would teleport to Trevor was sublimely beautiful and really appealed to me. Their relationship was very believable and I really enjoyed it when  these two characters were together and I got the impression that Gunn was most relaxed in her writing when her two protagonists were in each others company.

I will be checking out book 2 in the series, because I am interested in the world that Gunn has created. I would recommend.

 US

UK

About the author

Jessica Gunn is a New Adult author and avid science-fiction and fantasy fan. Her favorite stories are those that transport the reader to other, more exciting worlds. When not working or writing, she can be found binge-watching Firefly and Stargate, or feeding her fascination of the ancient world's many mysteries. Jessica also holds a degree in Anthropology.

Links

Twitter @JessGunnAuthor

www.jessicagunn.com.

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Threaten To Undo Us #BookReview @RoseSeilerScott

 "...We will exact a brutal revenge for all they have done..." 

 Soviet Marshal Georgi Zhukov

About the story.

As Hitler's Third Reich crumbles and Stalin's Army advances, German civilians in the Eastern territories are forced to flee for their lives.

Leaving her dying mother, Liesel and her four young children hope they can make it from their home in Poland across the Oder River to safety. But all that awaits them is terror and uncertainty in a brutal new regime that threatens to tear Liesel's family apart.

With her husband a prisoner of war in Russia and her children enslaved, Liesel's desire for hearth and home is thwarted by opposing political forces, leaving her to wonder if they will ever be a family again.

What did I think of the story?

What a stunning portrayal of life as a German living in Poland before, during, and after WW2. This story takes you from the tranquillity of living an ordinary life on a farm, to the horrors of the Soviet War Camps. This book truly blew me away.

The historical detail in this story is amazing -- In a past life, I tutored Modern History, so I know that Scott knows her subject well -- The story is well-crafted, epic and spell-binding.

The main protagonist, Liesel, is just an ordinary woman, who wants to be a good wife and a mother, but war changes everything. Her husband has to go to war and she is left alone on the farm with her aged parents and her young children. Her community is torn apart and things will never be the same again.

When the Soviets come, to free Poland from German rule, Liesel's struggle changes from trying to find enough food for her children to eat, to the simple task of trying to keep her children with her.

She is forcibly separated from her children -- which would be any mother’s worse nightmare -- but that is only the beginning of her ordeal. She suffers unimaginable horrors, however she has a quiet strength and a courage that could match any one of the Soviet Generals. She holds on to one thought -- she will reunite her family, no matter how long it takes. And when everything else falls apart, she clings to her faith.

There are many wonderful novels out there about the hardships faced during World War 2, but rarely is the story told from the German perspective -- this is the first time that I have a read a story about a German family in Poland. I thought this book was very refreshing and Scott has written a very believable story that delicately shows the suffering from both sides.

Scott reminds her readers that many ordinary Germans did not want to fight their neighbours -- they did not want to go to war -- but they had no choice. The fear of the German Regime and then the Russian one, was very real in the telling.

Scott has done a marvellous job putting flesh to her characters. She is, without a doubt, a truly wonderful writer. She made me care for Liesel and her family. As a reader I grieved with them. I felt their joy as well as their heartache. The plot was gripping to say the least - I did not want to put this book down.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone interested in this period of history. But be warned, this story will stay with you for a very long time afterwards.

Where can I buy the book? 

 

US 
CA

UK 

 
Link

About the author.

As a story from the German side of the family unfolded over the years, Rose set out to make it into a novel. During the process she has realized that not only is truth stranger than fiction, but truth can also be told through fiction. THREATEN TO UNDO US (MAY 2015) is the result of years of research, revealing a history that few in the Western world are familiar with. 

Rose won a "His imprint" award for a short story in 2013, was short-listed for a Word Guild Award in 2012 and has been published in "Light Magazine." Two inspirational non-fiction pieces will appear in the HOT APPLE WITH CINNAMON compilation in Fall 2015.

Since fifth grade, Rose has known she liked to write, but her career path has taken several turns including bookkeeping, piano teaching and mother of four. She is a longtime resident of Surrey, BC. Her eclectic reading tastes include historical fiction, biographies, memoir, literary and inspirational.

You can find Rose at her blowww.roseseilerscott.com, FB Author Page: Rose Seiler Scott, Twitter: @RoseSeilerScott and Goodreads: https://goo.gl/4zfofH

Hunting the Eagles - Ben Kane #BookReview @BenKaneAuthor

If you are interested in the Roman era and enjoy reading historical fiction based around this time, then you may have stumbled upon The Sunday Times bestselling author, Ben Kane. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC of Kane’s latest book, Hunting the Eagles.
Hunting the Eagles is the stunning sequel to Eagles at War.

What's the story?

AD 14

It is a terrible thing to lose one Eagle, let alone three. And to see 15,000 loyal soldiers of Rome butchered before your eyes is not something you are ever going to forgive or forget. 

Five years have past since the massacre in the wilds of Germania. Those who survived the carnage, now have to live with what they had witnessed, as well as the shame of losing their precious Eagles.

Centurion Tullas is one such survivor. His only consolation is that he saved as many lives as he could. But, instead of praise for his selfless courage, he finds himself demoted. There are two things he wants now…revenge on Chieftain Arminius – whose army slaughtered the three legions - and his old regiments Eagle.

Rome has had enough time to lick her wounds, she wants her Eagles back. It is time for revenge. It is time for war. The orders are clear, kill everyone and recover the Eagles. No mercy. But Arminius is not the type of man who will sit back and let such atrocities occur in his own kingdom. He slayed them once, can he do so again?

 

What did I think of the story?

It is difficult to write this level of fiction without it sounding like a history lesson, or without losing your reader to facts, figures and descriptions that they cannot hope to understand unless they have a degree in the subject. Ben Kane immerses you in the Ancient World, he doesn’t describe it – he does something extraordinary – he brings it back to life. He draws his readers into the thick of the action. Kane doesn’t let you get lost in the history, or leave you floundering around like a fish out of water. It is like having your own personal tour guide to the past. With Kane, I knew I was in safe hands.

Strangely, I did not feel that there was any one antagonist in this story – I was moved by the plight of Centurion Tullus and his legionaries, as well as his enemy, Chieftain Arminius. I cannot think of many books where my loyalty has been so split. Both characters had flesh on them; both had their own reasons to hate the other. The portrayal of these characters was sublime. Totally believable.

The battle scenes were vivid and were very real in the telling. It was like being there, without the threat of being brutally maimed or killed, of course!

Hunting the Eagles is part of a series, but not once did I feel that I had missed out on anything by not reading the prequel. Although, saying that, Eagles at War is now definitely on my ‘to be read’ list.

Publication date March 24th 2016

Where can I buy (Pre-order) the book?

 

 

US 

UK 

 

eBook 

 

About the Author.

Kenya born, Irish by blood and UK resident, Ben Kane’s passion for history has taken him to more than 60 countries, and all 7 continents. During his travels and subsequent research, including walking hundreds of miles in complete Roman military gear, he has learned much about the Romans and the way they lived. Seven of his nine novels have been Sunday Times top ten bestsellers, and his books are published in twelve languages. He lives in Somerset with his wife and children, where he writes full time.
Ben Kane was born in Kenya and raised there and in Ireland. He studied veterinary medicine at University College Dublin, but after that he travelled the world extensively, indulging his passion for ancient history. Having visited more than 60 countries and all 7 continents, he now lives in North Somerset with his wife and family.
He has been a full time writer since late 2008, and has loved almost every moment of that time. Apart from all things Roman, Ben loves military history of any type. Basically, if a book features men with guns and/or swords, he’ll read it. Other interests include rugby, walking, and beer. If an afternoon can include all three, it’s bound to be perfect.

Ben is also lucky enough to be the Treasurer of the newly founded Historical Writers’ Association.

The Jesuit Letter

Dean Hamilton takes us on a journey back to the year 1575, in The Jesuit Letter.

The Story…. 

Christopher 'Kit' Tyburn is home from a brutal war against the Spanish in Flanders. He is seeking a different life to the hell he lived before.

He becomes a player for the Earl of Worcester's Men and instead of fighting in battle, he now fights on a stage in front of an audience.

Due to the plague that is terrorising London, the Earl of Worcester's Men take to the road and tour the market-towns of the Midlands.

In Stratford-Upon-Avon, Tyburn comes to the aid of an eleven-year-old boy - William Shakespeare – who is being menacingly threatened by some vile thugs. But by helping the child, Tyburn accidentally intercepts a coded letter to a hidden Jesuit priest. Such a letter can only bring death. There are many who want it and if he is found with the letter in his possession then he will die a traitor’s death. There is only one thing he can do - he has to find the Jesuit priest before it is too late.

What did I think of the Story?

My favourite poet and playwright, without a shadow-of-a-doubt, is Shakespeare. I love reading interpretations about his life. Hamilton's description of Shakespeare was just what I would imagine him to have been like as child - intelligent, but always in trouble! Likewise, his portrayal of Stratford-Upon-Avon brought the town to life and, having been to Shakespeare home, his description of the house was spot on. It was real pleasure to read.

I really enjoyed the banter between the players. It reminded me of how the players act in the movie Shakespeare in Love - but instead of it being focused around a theater, the players are on 'tour.' The language of the players is pretty crude, but that is how I would imagine they would have spoken as well - they were all very believable. Hamilton must have had great fun writing about them.

The story itself was riveting. The plot was super engaging and there was always something going on. The story starts with a murder and then the action is non-stop. There was a great deal of mystery and intrigue, but there were many moments of humour as well romance.

I thought Hamilton portrayed life in Elizabethan England exceptionally well. He described the abject poverty and the deprivation of the poor, as well as the riches of the nobility - he touched upon one particular noble who was trying his very best to charm the Queen into marrying him! I thought Hamilton also gave a very real account of what it must have been like to be a Catholic during these troublesome times and he exposed the risks they took to practice their faith.

I really liked Tyburn. He is vividly portrayed and he is likable. Throughout the book I was on tenterhooks fearing he was going to get caught, because I so did not want him to die a traitors death.

There are many twists and turns in this tale - the last thing you will be with this book is bored!

Why don't you check it out today and experience the adventure for yourself!

 

US 

UK 

Paperback

About the author...

Dean Hamilton was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He spent the first half of his childhood chasing around the prairies and western Canada before relocating to Toronto, Ontario. He has three degrees (BA, MA & MBA), reads an unhealthy amount of history, works as a marketing professional by day and prowls the imaginary alleyways of the Elizabethan era in his off-hours. Much of his winter is spent hanging around hockey arenas and shouting at referees.

He is married, with a son, a dog, four cats and a turtle named Tortuga. THE JESUIT LETTER is his first novel of a planned series THE TYBURN FOLIOS.

Web: www.tyburntree.blogspot.com
Twitter: @Tyburn__Tree
 
THE JESUIT LETTER is a Short-List nominee for the Historic Novel Society (HNS) 2016 Indie Award.

The Treasure of Gwenlais (The Rienfield Chronicles Book 1) #bookreview

I love historical fiction. I love fantasy fiction too.

 The Treasure of Gwenlais : The Rienfield Chronicles Book 1
 by M.T. Magee, combines both genres.

Lets have a quick look at the story.

It is said that it is easier to hate, than to try and understand a race that is so different from our own. The Rabkin are such a race. They are a frightening species, feared by the humans, for they are renowned to be exceptionally swift killers and a deadly force to be reckoned with.

Prince Caleb of Heathwin, longs for peace and security for his kingdom and he has secured a fragile alliance between his people and these mysterious creatures.

But dark forces move against this delicate alliance. Unexpectedly a tribe of Rabkin attack a small defenceless village in the neighbouring  kingdom of Gwenlais. These Rabkin are different from the others - they have no respect for life or for death - and they bear different markings to the resident Rabkin tribes. They are strangers, outsiders, mercenaries.

Princess Laurel of Gwenlais is just seconds away from death. The Rapkin have murdered her much loved mother - the Queen of Gwenlais - and they are now hunting her. Prince Caleb saves the princess just in time. This blatant disregard for life shocks him, and knowing the Rapkin as he does, he cannot understand it.

Laurel and Caleb have always been close, despite living in separate kingdoms, and the events that are about to unfold draws them closer together. But their newfound love is as fragile as the peace between the kingdoms and there is an unknown enemy that threatens to destroy everything...

 What did I think?

The joy of Kindles is that it tells you roughly how long a book is going to take you to read. According to my Kindle it was going to take me just over 31 hours to read The Treasure of Gwenlais. So either my reading speed is exceptionally slow or this book was incredibly long. Turns out it was the latter! I have to be honest, I would not normally even attempt to read a book that is this long - I just have not go the time to devote such a large portion of it to one book, but the description of the story intrigued me. After doing some quick calculations in my head, I realised that each chapter was going to take me over an hour to get through. So I quickly decided that if Chapter 1 did not hook me in, then I would give the rest of the book a miss. Two hours later I looked up from the book to check the time, and realised that I was late for an appointment!

I absolutely adore the world that Magee has created. I am trying to think of something to compare it to - think of the dramatic backdrop of Game of Thrones, a pinch of Narnia, a dash of Lord of the Rings and a very large splash of the greatest romance you have ever read and you may be getting somewhere. Actually, I don't think even that description gives it justice. Dare I say...this book is an original?? If there is such a thing.

The attention to detail is exquisite. It is almost an hour-by-hour chronicle of what is happening in these peoples lives - but instead of becoming bogged down in the detail, which is always a risk when writing like this, it just gave me a thirst to read more. It became almost like an addiction. This book monopolized all my spare time and I became ever so slightly anti-social for a week or so!

Magee is obviously passionate about her Irish and Scottish ancestry and the world she has created has a whisper of the kingdoms of the ancient Celts. Although in her world, it is perfectly acceptably to drink tea and eat dainty sandwiches! Rightly so. And occasionally a man eating plant will try to kill you...such is life.

Every single one of the characters that you meet in this book is not only unique, but also believable. She breathes life into every single person she talks about, be it a hero or villain. King or servant. Human or Rabkin.

I adored this book. I loved the world, the characters, the plot, the intrigue and the romance. What a beautiful, beautiful story.

I am so glad I took a chance and read Chapter 1. What an adventure I would have missed out on if I had passed it by. Now hurry up, Magee, and write book 2. I want to find out what happens next!

 

Kindle

 

Ebook

  

NOOK book 

 

Ebook

 About the Author

My name is M.T. Magee and I live in New England on our small farm with my husband and son. We raise an assortment of silly goats, quiet rabbits, far too many ducks and chickens, and a high strung Border collie cross named Gronk. I have always loved fantasy and fell in love with Tolkien at age eleven. I read all of his works at age twelve. I have been writing stories since I was ten years old and have always wanted to be an author. After fulfilling my dream of becoming a nurse, marrying the love of my life and having two wonderful sons, I have finally been able to fulfill my dream of publishing my first book. My youngest son is severely disabled and I am his full-time caregiver. The long winter months here in New England make it virtually impossible to go out very often, so I used this time to begin my story, The Treasure of Gwenlais. Fifteen months and 1144 pages later, I am very happy to present my story to all of you. I love strong female characters, who are still able to convey a sense of vulnerability and be very relatable. I also love strong male leads who are not afraid to show their soft side. Love of family is important to me as I am sure it is to everyone and I convey this in my story.