Book Reviews

The Tech by Mark Ravine

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The Tech by [Mark Ravine]

The Tech is Mark Ravine’s debut novel. It is the story of  a team of FBI agents, led by Alexandra Cassidy. Alexandra just transferred to Arizona and, after checking the background of her team, considers the possibility that she was transferred to lead a team of misfits.

Mark Ravine did an excellent job in writing all of the mental aspects of this book — Alexandra’s thoughts, the thoughts of other characters, the processing of the information and evidence.

He also did a great job writing the IT stuff  in a way that an average, even non-techie reader like me can understand and follow. The IT character he created that works with Alexandra’s team was very well-developed and interesting. The story line that involves him kept me guessing.

The story follows Alexandra and her team through many cases which include murder, theft, human trafficking and so much more. Alexandra’s life is endangered more than once.

The story held my interest due to the interactions between Alexandra and her team as well as lots of good, witty dialogue.

In addition, I found many of the chapters to be quite long, and I felt that the action scenes lacked the suspense they could have had. Again, the character’s thought processes in these scenes were well done, but these lacked in edge-of-your-seat action and suspense, instead coming across as very matter-of-fact.

Therefore, I give this book a 4-star rating. All in all, if you like crime drama stories, I do recommend this book because it did keep me turning pages until the end, and I thought the ending was very well done as well. I will most likely pick up a Mark Ravine novel again in the future.

I did receive a free copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review, and this is my honest review.

A Weight of Reckoning by C.S. Wachter

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A Weight of Reckoning: Sequel to The Seven Words by [C. S. Wachter]

A Weight of Reckoning by C.S. Wachter is the sequel to “The Seven Words” series. This series and sequel are a fantasy series that follows the life of Prince Rayne through many difficulties and hardships even as he serves as the Chosen Light Bringer of the One.

A Weight of Reckoning, as all of the books in this series, is very much a good vs. evil story. In A Weight of Reckoning, Rayne must face evil before his long-awaited wedding can take place. The question is, “will he survive this time?”

As in all of “The Seven Words” series, A Weight of Reckoning grabbed my attention right from the start and held my attention until the very end. The characters have become like friends as I have read this series. When you follow a group of characters through five books, if the author has done their job, you feel like you really know these people and they will have become people you care about. That is what C.S. Wachter has accomplished.

A Weight of Reckoning is also full of adventure and suspense, along with a touch of romance. There are unexpected twists that will surprise you. C.S. Wachter even manages to find a way to include some humor and wit, a welcome reprieve from the struggles Prince Rayne endures.

C.S. Wachter has a way of painting pictures with words, so that the worlds in A Weight of Reckoning, and “The Seven Words” series seem real, and the character descriptions bring the characters to life, not just physically, but their personalities are all distinct as well, making them leap off the page.

I have written reviews for the previous books in the series as well. To find them simply click on the “Categories” arrow in the side bar, select “Book Reviews” and scroll until you find them.

If you enjoy Fantasy stories, good vs. evil stories, and stories with adventure and a bit of romance, you’re sure to enjoy A Weight of Reckoning and the entire “Seven Words” series by C.S. Wachter. This was C.S. Wachter’s debut series and I look forward to more to come.

 

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

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Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater is a very unique story. It is Fantasy. It is a Regency Faerie Tale with a bit of satire. I have never read another book quite like it. This book was released on March 29, 2020 and is Olivia Atwater’s debut novel.

The story’s main character is Dora, who has been cursed by a faerie and cannot feel fear, embarrassment, or even happiness. This condition gets her into trouble more often than not until she meets Lord Elias Wilder an outspoken magician, whom most people detest but still invite him to their elegant parties and balls.

This book is very well written. The characters and plot line are well developed and interesting. The story held my interest from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed Dora’s verbal interactions with the other characters, and her interactions with Lord Wilder were unique and delightful.

I fully enjoyed watching Dora discover things about herself that brought her comfort. It was also touching to watch the effect she had upon the other characters throughout the story. The other character’s reactions to Dora evoked many different feelings as I read as well.

The story had some interesting twists and surprises. At times, I found the story reminiscent of a Charles Dickens tale. The story isn’t just an enjoyable, entertaining read. It made me think about people and the way they think, act, react, and treat each other.

After finishing my reading of Half a Soul, I found and read an interview that Ms. Atwater gave to a blogger. In that interview, Ms. Atwater said, “I think a good story either makes you think or else makes you feel. I think a truly fantastic story makes you do both.”

Based on that statement, I have to say that Half a Soul is a truly fantastic story.

This story will be one of my favorites for a long time to come and I look forward to reading more from Olivia Atwater. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story, as well as to Fantasy fans, Regency fans, and Dickens’ fans. I rarely take time to reread books because there are always so many new books that keep my To Be Read List always growing, but I think that I should like to revisit this book in the future.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This review is my honest opinion of the book.

Scones and Scoundrels by Charlotte Graham

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Scones and Scoundrels (Scheming Spires Mysteries Book 1) by [Charlotte Graham]

Scones and Scoundrels by Charlotte Graham is a cozy mystery novel that releases tomorrow! It is set in England’s Oxford University. It is the first of the “Scheming Spires Mysteries”series.

Laid off and recently widowed, Georgina Strange is beginning a new chapter in her life, attempting to fulfill a lifelong dream. However, after participating in a bake sale, Georgina becomes embroiled in a murder mystery. Her friend and confidante, Lucy, encourages her along the way, and even comes to her rescue on more than one occasion.

The outspoken Georgina had me smiling frequently as she spoke her mind. This delightful story kept me turning pages to find out “whodunit” until the very end. I was pleasingly surprised when the story didn’t end as soon as the mystery was solved, but instead gave me a taste of how Georgina’s life settled into a routine, as well as how her life changed because of her involvement in the murder mystery.

I enjoyed learning about Oxford University through descriptions and facts brought out in the setting. Georgina and Lucy were joined by a very interesting cast of characters, and Georgina learned something about herself as she learned the true characteristics of some of the college students and other characters she came in contact with.

Though there were two glaring errors in the story that really stuck out and distracted me a bit, they were small and brief. All-in-all, I really liked this story and I look forward to reading more of the “Scheming Spires Mysteries”. If you enjoy a good mystery with an amateur detective that is entertaining and easy to read, you will enjoy Scones and Scoundrels by Charlotte Graham.

I did receive a free Advance Reader Copy of this story in exchange for my honest review. However I was under no obligation to write this review, and this review is my honest opinion of the book.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

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Before We Were Yours: A Novel by [Lisa Wingate]

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate is a story that tells two stories, one from the past, and one from the present and connects the two. It is a historical fiction story.

The historical story line is set in 1939 United States. It tells the fictional story of a family that lives in a shantyboat on the Mississippi River. It’s a sad and tragic tale that, sadly, many people experienced in reality–their children wrenched from their homes and families and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, where they must face many cruelties. I was completely unaware of this orphanage and the cruel woman, Georgia Tann, who was behind it all. It is a heart-wrenching story, and I was appalled at how cruel Georgia Tann could be and how long she got away with destroying the lives of so many innocent children.

The modern day story line was set in Aiken, South Carolina and centered around a well-to-do family involved in politics. The main character in this story line was Avery Stafford, who was set to be married until she meets an elderly lady in a care facility who awakens uncomfortable questions in Avery’s mind and sets her on a journey to uncover her family’s long-hidden past.

The story of the Foss children living in the shantyboat captured my attention right from the start and the children captured my heart. Never having lived near water, learning about their life on the river and the river community was interesting and enjoyable. Ms. Wingate painted pictures in my mind of the Foss family, their neighbors, and their life. The story line of Rill, her parents, and siblings held me captive throughout the book as my heart ached for a happy ending for them.

Avery’s story, on the other hand, took me a while to get caught up in. At first I considered skipping the chapters about Avery to remain immersed in the story of Rill and her siblings, but I didn’t want to miss out on any of the connections between the two stories, so I continued to read about Avery as well. After about the third chapter about Avery, I finally began to be more interested in Avery’s life as well, and so continued to read, both to find out what would happen to Rill and her siblings, as well as how they were connected to Avery’s family.

Before We Were Yours was a slower read for me because it was very different than what I normally read, but it was written in a way that, even though it was slower, I didn’t want to abandon it. I was both appalled and fascinated by the true history of the story and so thankful that orphanages like the Tennessee Children’s Home Society are no longer allowed to function in the United States today. As someone who loves history and loves to learn, I found this book definitely worth reading.

If you are interested in history and enjoy learning about different time periods and the lives of people in those times, I recommend Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, and if you are like me, it will make you laugh and cry, and Rill and her siblings will find a permanent place in your heart.

 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

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The Hate U Give

Before reading this book, I had heard a lot about it and then it became a movie and I saw previews. Based on what I heard and saw, I formed a presupposition and was afraid this book was going to be a book about race that was going to “bash white people”.

However, being a white woman with adopted black children, I have seen some of the prejudice, heard some of the racist comments, and gotten the “looks”. In all honesty, I also have fears and concerns in regard to the safety and welfare of my children depending on where they go. Also, being one who always does my best to keep an open mind and educates myself on cultural and world issues, I chose to read this book.

The Hate U Give is the debut novel of Angie Thomas and I have to say, it is an amazing story! She obviously knows what it’s like living in a black community as well as a mixed community.

She created such realistic characters and she did an excellent job of showing the struggles they face. She showed the family relationships and dysfunction.

But it wasn’t just a book about “blacks vs. whites”. She also showed how blacks and whites can get along and care about one another. She showed that not ALL people of any one race hate ALL people of another race. She also showed the prejudice some people don’t even realize they have.

Yes, this book is about a horrible issue in our communities — an issue that needs to be resolved. She shows the trauma this issue causes — the heartache and pain, both emotionally and mentally.

This book is powerful and I think it should be read, studied, and discussed. This story broke my heart, but it also showed the love and enjoyment in family and friend relationships in addition to the disagreements and struggles.

This story shows why we need to STOP the HATE and why EVERY LIFE MATTERS!

If you are reading this review, I encourage and challenge you to read this book and take a hard look at how you view the lives of ALL PEOPLE in this world.

King’s City by Jessica Marinos

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King’s City is the long-awaited and highly anticipated second book of the “Trimont Trilogy” by Jessica Marinos. I first read the first book of this series, Traiven’s Pass, and wrote a review for it in March of 2019. You can read my review of that book here. I reread Traiven’s Pass before reading King’s City.

This is a debut series for Jessica Marinos and, in my opinion, Jessica is destined to become a great writer. The quality of the writing of both Traiven’s Pass and King’s City is outstanding. The descriptions are rich and the character’s very well developed. In addition, she draws you into the story and keeps you there.

King’s City is the continuing story of the Tavish family who live in Traiven’s Pass and the reign of the Steward King, Lord Breemore, who began his rule when King Cordell vanished twenty-six years ago. Lord Breemore resides in King’s City. Lord Breemore appears to rule with kindness and peace, but rumors of war begin to increase throughout the kingdom.

Lydia Tavish’s father was loyal to King Cordell continued to search for King Cordell throughout the first book of this trilogy. He attempted to turn the people in the kingdom back to the Book of Truth.

As King’s City begins, Lydia is a penniless outcast and is sought after as many in the kingdom seek her punishment for her recent choice. However, Lydia is bold and strong and believes what her father taught her. She faces many challenges and dangers but finds her strength in the truth.

Galen, who left his home in Dresden to participate in a tournament in the King’s City becomes renowned in his sword skills. Then a long kept secret is revealed and it turns Galen’s life upside down. He has much to consider in deciding the course of his life.

King’s City, the second book in the “Trimont Trilogy” by Jessica Marinos was just as good, if not better, than Traiven’s Pass. These two books are part of my “Favorites” list and Jessica is at the top of my list of “Favorite New Authors”. I excitedly await the third and final book of the series.

If you’d like to learn more about Jessica — her life and her writing, I had the honor of interviewing her last month. You can read that interview here.

If you enjoy books that grab you from the start and keep you turning pages; books with rich descriptions, well-developed characters, and a story line filled with tension, shocking surprises, and a bit of romance, you will not want to miss the “Trimont Trilogy” by Jessica Marinos. If you haven’t read Traiven’s Pass, I suggest you get your copy today, and if you have read it, don’t miss “King’s City”.

Taming Julia by Jodie Wolfe

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I just finished reading “Taming Julia” by Jodie Wolfe and I read it in just two days.

Drew needs a wife as soon as possible if he wants to keep his job. He places an ad, but Julia isn’t what he expected.

Julia wears breeches and a stetson, and she totes more than one gun. She is unfamiliar with most things women do and wear, when she arrives in Burrton Springs to move in with a man she married by proxie.

Things don’t go as either Drew or Julia thought they would, and in the beginning, that makes for some laugh-out-loud reading. But as time passes, things grow more serious and the trouble becomes downright dangerous. Soon the reader is on the edge of their seat wondering how things will turn out for Drew and Julia and hoping for the best.

This is a sweet romance story with a message of faith, love, and perseverance. It is an easy read, and it grabbed my attention from the very first page to the last page. It was very enjoyable.

So, if you need something to cheer you up while you’re housebound due to the coronavirus, or you love Christian Romance stories or stories set in the Old West, this book is sure to please.

This is the second book I’ve read by Jodie Wolfe and I will continue reading her books because they are simply delightful. You can see my review of “To Claim Her Heart” by Jodie Wolfe here, and if you’d like to know more about Jodie, you can read my author interview with her here.

The Spirit of Things by Ben McQueeney

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Ben McQueeney’s debut novel will release on Amazon on April 8th. I have had the pleasure of receiving an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have only begun reading more of the Fantasy genre in the past year, but for those of you whose favorite genre is Fantasy, I think you’re going to like “The Spirit of Things”.

“The Spirit of Things” is a unique tale of Fulco, a Hume, living in the Elphen village of Tellusm. He is a young adult who is bullied by the local thug, and who finds it difficult to fit into the Elphen village. He gets into one scrape after another, not all through his own choices.

He feels a bit awkward as he takes an interest in an Elphen girl, but a romance begins to bud between them.

When he attends a sporting event with his brother, an event his mother has tried to keep him from for years, he discovers the power of Sapience. He is fascinated by this power and begins asking questions about it. His brother helps him get a horse and he realizes he has a special way with animals as he makes a special connection with this horse. Could he have Sapience that gives him control over beasts?

Then a stranger comes to town and Fulco’s life begins to change.

Fulco’s story is exciting!

There are also three gods who watch and fight over the land of Tellusm.

Ben McQueeney has created a world that is unusual and fascinating. He has also created some very unique fantastical creatures. His characters are realistic and believable. I found it easy to relate to Fulco, and I believe most readers will find they have something in common with Fulco as well.

“The Spirit of Things” is written for young adults and adults alike. If you enjoy the Fantasy genre or have thought about checking out a Fantasy novel to see why it’s such a popular genre, I recommend you read “The Spirit of Things”. I’m sure you will enjoy it.

“The Spirit of Things” drew me in and kept me turning pages to the very end. The end promises more to come and I eagerly await Ben McQueeney’s next book.

 

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker

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The Girl behind the Red Rope by [Dekker, Ted, Dekker, Rachelle]

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker, father and daughter paired up to write this book. I haven’t read any of Rachelle Dekker’s  books, but after reading this book, I will be looking to read at least one of her books. I have read several books by Ted Dekker and because of his chosen genre, they’re always on the weird side, and they make me think. I have to really focus when reading a Ted Dekker book, which isn’t hard because they capture and hold my interest and pull me in to the story.

The Girl Behind the Red Rope did the same thing. In the beginning, I found it to be weird and my thoughts were engaged, and it kept me turning pages. The farther into the story I got, the less weird it became and the more realistic and thought-provoking it became.

It’s a story about a community that calls themselves a “Christian” community, but it’s quite clear it’s much more of a “cult like” community. They are steeped in legalism–having lots of rules to live a “pure” life.

One young man’s doubts and questions about the rules lead him to stray beyond the community’s perimeter looking for answers. This sets off lots of events that cause conflict in the community–conflict that builds until a final showdown near the end.

As I mentioned before, this book kept me turning pages. I usually go to sleep no later than 10 p.m. each night, but one night, I just couldn’t put this book down. I stayed up reading until 11 p.m. No, I didn’t reach the end that night, but I was close.

Two nights later, when I had the opportunity to pick up The Girl Behind the Red Rope  again, I finished it. In conclusion, I have to say this book reminded me of a movie I saw years ago, “The Village”. However, this book had a more powerful message.

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker was well written and the characters were very well-developed. The story and its message will stay with me for a long time. The ending was well done, although it did leave me wondering about one thing that wasn’t really mentioned or resolved. That is the one thing that I didn’t like about the book. I am the kind of person who likes my story endings completely resolved and concluded.

I do recommend The Girl Behind the Red Rope to all Ted Dekker fans, fans of weird and/or suspenseful stories, and/or stories that are thought-provoking and worthy of discussion.