Review - Rise Headless and Ride (Book 1 of the Jason Crane Series) by Richard Gleaves

Book Blurb:

NOTE: This E-Book edition INCLUDES "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW" by Washington Irving (full text)!

JASON CRANE just turned seventeen years old.

He's a STAR WARS fan and a history geek. He doesn't believe in ghosts or the afterlife. He doesn't believe in psychic powers or tarot cards. He doesn't believe in the Headless Horseman.

But Sleepy Hollow will change all that. Because Jason Crane has a heritage to claim. Jason Crane has a Gift to discover. And Jason Crane has an old enemy who will RISE HEADLESS AND RIDE

Review

From beginning to end, this first book in the Jason Crane series will keep you captivated.  Using the tale of the Headless Horseman as the framework for the story, Richard Gleaves has woven history into a throughly modern tale of suspense, mystery and drama.  While the book is considered YA, this is one story that can be enjoyed by the young adult and the not so young adult as well.  The story moves at a pretty good pace and I hated to see the end of it.  The author has a clear art for bringing the reader into the story with clear descriptions of the locale and all the activities taking place.  In my mind, I could actually SEE what he described and the intensity of the action made it hard to put this down.  I can't wait until October for Book Two!  If it's as good as Book One, it'll be worth the impatient wait!

Review - Louisiana Fever by D.J. Donaldson

 

“Louisiana Fever” is the second offering by author D.J. Donaldson.  Returning are chief medical examiner Andy Broussard and Dr. Kit Franklyn, criminal psychologist.  Both are top-notch detectives as well as experts in their respective fields.  Set in New Orleans, anyone who has visited the city on more than one occasion will recognize several of the settings of the story.  I thought that was interesting and added realisms to the story. 
 
There are two mysteries in one.  First, there is a rash of deaths taking place in New Orleans.  At first glance, it seems the people are dying of heart attacks but soon it’s discovered that an Ebola type virus has been unleashed  One of the victims is a stranger who sent roses to Kit.  When she arrived to unknowingly meet him, he dies before she can find out who he is and what his connection is to her.  While searching for him, Kit is kidnapped and this provides the second mystery within the story.

D.J. Donaldson has constructed an excellent storyline and the attention to detail is great.  One can really tell that he understands the world he describes in the novel.  It is intense and definitely a page-turner. 

 

Buy Links

 

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/15wIN4l

B&N:  http://bit.ly/1abExIw

Astor+Blue:   http://bit.ly/11CS4c0

 

Press Release

Portly & Proud CSI Catches Louisiana Fever

Threat of Outbreak Drives Latest in Southern Suspense Series

 

“D.J. Donaldson is superb at spinning medical fact into gripping suspense.  With his in-depth knowledge of science and medicine, he is one of very few authors who can write with convincing authority.”

 

--Tess Gerritsen, NY Times best-selling author of the Rizzoli & Isles novels

 

Andy Broussard, the “Plump and Proud” New Orleans medical examiner, obviously loves food.  Less apparent to the casual observer is his hatred of murderers. Together with his gorgeous sidekick, psychologist Kit Franklyn, Broussard forms a powerful, although improbable, mystery solving duo.

 

Astor + Blue Editions is proud to release Louisiana Fever (ISBN: 978-1-938231-33-9; Fiction / Mystery & Suspense; $5.99 E-Book) the latest Broussard mystery by DJ Donaldson.

When Kit goes to meet an anonymous stranger—who’s been sending her roses—the man drops dead at her feet before she could even get his name. Game on.

Andy Broussard soon learns that the man carried a lethal pathogen similar to the deadly “Ebola”—a highly contagious virus, feared worldwide for killing its victims (grotesquely) in a matter of days. When another body turns up with the same bug, widespread panic becomes imminent. The danger is even more acute, because the carrier is mobile. The man knows he’s a walking weapon and… he’s targeting Broussard.

And when Kit Franklyn investigates her mystery suitor further, she runs afoul of a cold- blooded killer, every bit as deadly as the man searching for her partner.

________________________________________________________________________________

Louisiana Fever is written in Donaldson’s unique style:  A hard-hitting, punchy, action-packed prose that’s dripping with a folksy, decidedly southern sense of irony.  Mix in Donaldson’s brilliant first-hand knowledge of forensics, along with the sultry flavor of New Orleans, and readers will be fully satisfied with this irresistibly delectable mystery.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

D.J. Donaldson is a retired professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology.  His entire academic career was spent at the University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, where he published dozens of papers on wound-healing and where he taught microscopic anatomy to thousands of medical and dental students.

He is also the author of seven published forensic mysteries and five medical thrillers. He lives in Memphis, Tennessee with his wife and two West Highland terriers. In the spring of most years he simply cannot stop buying new flowers and other plants for the couple’s prized backyard garden.

 

Review - Ripped by Shelley Dickson Carr

Kate, grieving the loss of her parents and having to move to England, finds herself transported back to the time of Jack the Ripper along with her cousin and a family friend.  Discovering her romanticized version of Victorian England to be a lie, Kate has to deal with fitting in while not letting others find out she is not from that time. 

I enjoyed the history of the Jack the Ripper story and was surprised by the reveal at the end.  The author did take liberties with the historical story of Jack the Ripper but it works with the novel and still contains enough factual history to make the whole thing believable.  All of the characters are enjoyable but I found Toby to be the most interesting. 

The book is definitely YA with enough action to keep anyone interested.  If you are looking for gore, this is the wrong novel for you but it has enough mystery and suspense to keep you turning the pages.

I was given a complimentary copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

New Review: The Golden Crystal by Nick Thacker

I must say that I found “The Golden Crystal” interesting on several levels.  The opening brought to mind “The Lost Symbol” with the hidden meaning in the building of Washington, D.C.  and the hiding of a valuable artifact.  The story started out slowly but the action was fast-paced.  It was a well thought out thriller but some parts were a bit choppy.  Overall, it was a very enjoyable read.

I like history so I enjoyed the back-story of the crystal and the work that was done to keep it safe from people who would use it for the wrong reasons.  The scientific research also interested me and it was good to see the moral compass or the lack of that compass in some of the story’s main players.  One of the things, however, that really rather threw me was the lesson about the pyramids.  While interesting, it did not add much to the story and it seemed to be filler more than anything.  In addition, if you are not a fan of action involving killing, I am not sure how you would take this novel.  I am an action movie fan so it did not bother me but YMMV.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. The tie-ins with the past and the present make this an intriguing story and I think anyone who is interested in thriller or science fiction would find something to enjoy.  Mr. Thacker did a good job and I would be curious to read more by him.

I received a free Kindle version of this book from Story Cartel. All opinions are my own.

In His Own Words - Kevin Anthony, Author of Mad Moral - Guest Post

Release Notes is honored to feature Kevin Anthony,author of Mad Moral, the first book in his Mad Series, in this "In The Author's Own Words" segment.  I hope you will enjoy his guest post on his thoughts behind his novel.

No Vampires or Werewolves Allowed

The moment I started writing my Urban Fantasy novel Mad Moral, I made the decision not to include any vampires or werewolves. I know vampires and werewolves play huge roles in many Urban Fantasy novels and many other genres and that’s the main reason I didn’t want to include them in Mad Moral.

I’m a big fan of vampires and werewolves, but I didn’t want to travel down a road that had been explored so many times. I decided to give a new set of beings time to shine in more humanizing roles, horror movie characters.

I’m aware the word “horror” instantly causes many to lose interest. My novel isn’t a horror, just inspired by the many elements and characters of horror movies.

 Imagine as I did, horror movie villain Michael Myers dropping his children off at his parents’ house for the weekend and heading out on his first date post-divorce. After a disaster date, to blow off some steam he decides to head to the nearest college campus and slash some sorority girls. He spends the morning after sipping a cup of coffee as he watches the tragedy coverage unfold on the morning news.

That visual sparked my series about a mad world where others like the horror movie villain mentioned are your friends, neighbors and lovers.

My first main character I created was a young adult named Ford Fischer. He’s a slasher, unemployed and does his best to live a straight and narrow lifestyle. I was raised by a single mother and I consider my sister my best friend, so I had to have strong female presences in my story. Ford’s mothers play huge roles and both are bystanders or victims in this mad world I created.

 Another main character is an exorcist named Sidnee Vincent whose romantic life is constantly sabotaged by pesky demons. I’m sure we all have a bit of evil in us all and she just happens to have the ability to communicate with it. My final character I included was a dreamer named Milo Amos. His identity is questioned the most by readers who haven’t started the series yet. His character enters dark nightmares every time he sleeps and must fight for his survival or risk death not only in his fantasy existence, but reality. 

This novel faced the toughest set of critics yet, teenage girls. I posted it on website mostly used by those in that age range. It sometime took a lot of convincing and me constantly explaining it wasn’t entirely about blood, gore and things that go bump-in-the-night. I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from these young readers who instantly started to root for my characters to overcome the madness in their lives. I encourage putting all pre-judgments aside and giving my novel, Mad Moral, the opportunity to entertain you.

Feature Novel and Giveaway - Mad Moral by Kevin Anthony

Release Notes is happy to feature the novel, 'Mad Moral' by Kevin Anthony.  I hope you enjoy the excerpt and Kevin is giving away free copies on smashwords!  Just see the link below the excerpt and click to get your free copy!

Book Description

Mad Moral is the world of Ford Fischer, where in murderous stuffed animals, demonic possessions, gigantic creepy crawlers, knife wielding slashers and much more madness are common place. Fischer, coupled with a romantically conflicted exorcist and a dreamer who redefines night terrors, leads us through a twisted world that can be best defined as one of a kind.

The 80, 000 word, urban fantasy novel is only the beginning of the Mad series.

Mad Moral Excerpt

Chapter 4 - Comedian: Ford made his way down a narrow hallway decorated with plaques awarded to the community center, turning into the second door on the left. Inside waited familiar faces, a few socializing, few occupying themselves with their cell phones, and a pair at the snack table.

 Ford approached the low-cut, dark haired girl at the table. “Hello Lu.”

The narrowed eyed Lu faced him. “Luke brought his famous pizza bites.”

 Ford scanned the room again. “Shit, which one is Luke again?”

 Lu laughed. “He’s the youngest slasher here.” She nodded toward a corner. “That’s him.”

 Ford met eyes one the young, dark haired slasher and smiled at him.

 Luke nervously returned the gesture and looked away.

 “I wish I had his smarts to attend these meetings when I was his age,” Ford said.

 “Me too,” She stuffed her mouth with more food “But we‘re here now.”

 Ford browsed the room for the group’s leader. “Where’s Miriam?”

 Lu shrugged. “She’s not here.” She stuffed a few mini-candy bars into her jeans pockets.

 “How long has everybody been waiting?”

 “Half an hour.” Lu glanced at a wall clock near the entry door. “A few left. I’m about to leave myself.”

 “It’s not like Miriam to miss a meeting.”

 “Maybe she’s tired of the bullshit,” Lu scanned the crowd. “We all come here, sit around and lie about how we haven’t slashed in years or how we fight our will to harm others. This is all an act. I slashed a young couple three weeks ago. Be honest Ford, you’re only here to rid yourself of the guilt. Who did you slash?”

 “Nobody,” He quickly answered, hoping to create false surety.

 “You’re lying, but it’s common in this room.”

 “If this place is such a waste, why are you here?”

 “The free food and the cute guy,” She softly nudged him. “I’m talking about you.”

 “Thanks for the compliment.”

 “But now it’s mainly the food since we’ve already done the dirty.”

 Ford tasted one of the pizza bites and spit it out. “It tastes like beef jerky.”

 Lu ate a few more. “I fucking love beef jerky.”

 “How about we go check on Miriam? She would do the same.”

 “Because she’s a lonely old woman.”

 “Yes, but she lives close by anyways,” Ford dug his keys from his pocket. “I’ll drive.”

 “I suppose it’ll be more entertaining than sitting home alone petting my kitty.”

 “I thought you were allergic to cats?”

 She winked. “I am, now let’s go.”

 As he followed her, he realized what ‘kitty’ she was referring to. He played with it once, nearly a year ago. Since that moment, they remained distant friends. It was odd dating somebody who possibly had the urge to stab you in your sleep. He loaded her pink and silver bicycle into his back sea and they drove to Miriam’s house.

 The woman lived in a small trailer park that was a short drive from the downtown area. Many nights Ford skipped meetings only to receive a phone call from Miriam questioning his whereabouts. She was a kind woman even though it was rumored she slaughtered an entire sorority house back in the seventies. They arrived at the woman’s trailer, the front yard decorated with gnomes dressed as businessmen and women. The streetlights weren’t operational, the neighborhood nearly ghost town like.

 Ford and Lu exited the car and headed up to her front door. He raised his clenched fist to knock only for Lu to notice the trailer door was half-ajar. It creaked as she pushed it open, Ford stepping in first. The front yard theme continued inside. No matter where they looked, a gnome was visible. There were photos, miniature figures, dishware, and plush gnomes on her couch. Ford resisted greeting them, not accustomed to silent stuffed animals.

 Lu passed the kitchen area and headed to the bedroom door knocking. “Miriam, you here?”

 Ford stood close behind Lu. “You missed the meeting, Miriam. Are you okay?”

 Lu grabbed the door handle, sliding it sideways into the wall. Miriam’s body lay sprawled out on her bloodstained mattress, multiple stab wounds in the woman’s chest. The average person would have reacted wildly to the scene in the bedroom. Her withering face was pale, her light blue eyes opened. Ford and Lu found themselves admiring the murder scene first, mourning the loss of their group leader second.

 Lu shut the door. “The slasher has been slashed.”

Available on Smashwords – No Charge

http://tinyurl.com/MadMoral

Twitter: Mad_Moral    Email: svrkev@gmail.com

New Review - Touched By Death by Dale Mayer

Touched by Death is an outstanding novel by Dale Mayer.  Unlike her usual novels that contain paranormal activity, this novel is sheer malevolent actions from ordinary humans.  Set in Haiti after the earthquake, the setting provides a lush but damaged background to the true horror hidden under the broken landscape.

The main character Jade Hansen, anthropologist, had been to Haiti before, immediately after the earthquake first hit.  Broken by the scenes of destruction and death around her, she lost her unborn child, her fiance and almost her sanity.  Prodded by her brother to return to face her demons, Jade joins a team going to Haiti to retrieve the bodies of an American family so they can be returned home and interred. 

Dane Carter is already in Haiti, helping the country rebuild and visiting with his brother and sister-in-law.  When he and Jade meet the sparks fly but as strange things began happening at the dig site, they both realize there are dangerous secrets that someone is willing to kill to keep buried in the mass grave.

This book had so many twists and turns and I can honestly say that the ending truly surprised me!  I was not expecting it to end the way it did so kudos to Ms. Mayer for keeping the suspense up until the ending.  There are mentions of voodoo in the story but because this is Haiti, how can there not be?  However, these do not take over the story and the evil in this story is purely human.  This was a great mystery entwined with a good love story and just enjoyable all the way around.

New Review - Hide'N Go Seek by Dale Mayer

As the second installment of the “Psychic Visions” series, Dale Mayer does not disappoint.  Kali Jordan, famed search and rescue worker, has been hiding her psychic abilities from everyone as long as she could remember.  Lately, the abilities have been getting stronger and unbeknownst to Kali, her success has caught the eye of a deranged soul. Suddenly, Kali and Shiloh, her rescue dog is in serious danger.

After receiving chilling letters from the serial killer, Kali has to work with FBI Special agent Grant Summers, a man who feels a strong bond with Kali even though they have only met once.  As the chemistry flows between them, Kali and Grant race to stop the lunatic.  Grant is determined to protect Kali and Shiloh at all costs.

This was a wonderful second installment!  From the beginning to the end, Ms. Mayer takes the reader on a thrill ride.  Until the end, the identity of the killer is a guessing game.  The development of the story and the characters is great and the drama is top notch.  I highly recommend this book if you a fan of thrillers, mystery and romance because this has it all!

New Review - The Ninth District by Douglas Dorow

The Ninth District by Douglas Dorow is an outstanding crime thriller.  Starting with the main character, FBI Special Agent Jack Miller, we are treated to a cast of well-developed and real-life characters.  Agent Miller is a star in the FBI, chosen to mentor a new agent with a high-profile case.  Jack's personal life, on the other hand, is unraveling.  His wife, tired of taking the backseat to his job, has decided to leave with the kids.  Jack wants nothing more than to solve this case quickly and convince his wife to come home.  The "Governor", as the criminal is known in the press, is cunning and ruthless.  He has no qualms about doing whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if that means eliminating the agents who are hot on his trail.  He is a worthy adversary for the seasoned agent and provides so much depth to the story.

Dorow does an excellent job of drawing the reader into the world of both the agents and the criminal.  As the reader, you can't help but want Jack's family reunited and for him to catch this criminal.  All the characters, from the rookie Ross Fruen, the flirty news reporter and the "Geek Squad" Jack uses to deal with the techie issues, are well written and are integral parts of the story.  Everyone was well developed and you never felt any character served as a "filler".

If you are a fan of procedurals and thrillers, this is definitely the book for you.  My only issue with the novel is the ending was rather abrupt.  Since there is going to be a second book, I'm excited to see what is going on in the world of FBI Special Agent Jack Miller and if the "Governor" is truly gone.