Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

[Review] — "DENIZEN: The Complete Series" is Mysteriously Haunting

Add to Goodreads and Books2Read

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the DENIZEN: The Complete Series by David “DB” Andry, Tim Daniel, & Chris Shehan Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Friday, July 12, 2024

[Review] — UNNATURAL ORDER Vol. 1: The Prisoner

Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read


I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the UNNATURAL ORDER Vol. 1: The Prisoner by Christopher Yost & Val Rodrigues Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Thursday, July 11, 2024

[Review] — "THE HOUSE THAT HORROR BUILT" Fails to Deliver the Scares


The other day, I was in the library glancing at the "newer" books, and the title "The House That Horror Built" caught my attention. Everyone knows I love anything horror, so I checked the book out. Christina Henry wrote the book, an author I have heard of, but I don't believe I've read anything by her. However, my memory hasn't been 100% reliable lately, so who knows?  

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

[Review] — R.L. Stine's "SHARK NIGHT" is a Fast-Paced Joyride

Buy Shark Night on Amazon.com. 

I'm a lifelong R.L. Stine fan, so naturally, I bought his newest book, Shark Night (published by Black Stone Publishing), and I had to buy it online because the department stores in my neck of the woods don't carry many new children's book releases. Now, I set my mind on reading Shark Night for "Shark Week." I could have sworn "Shark Week" was the first week in August, but it turns out that I'm wrong—this week is "Shark Week." So, I sat down on Monday morning, sipped on a cup of strong coffee, and read Shark Night from beginning to end.  

Monday, May 20, 2024

[Review] — "CHASING ENDLESS SUMMER" is a Forgetful Fluff Sequel


Once upon a time, when you heard the name V.C. Andrews, we all thought of gothic thrillers. Now I'm asking, does the cover art for Chasing Endless Summer cry "gothic thriller?" It doesn't; if anything, it cries out young adult romance. While the cover isn't horrible, I still miss the old stepback covers. 

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

[Review] — Taylor Moore's "RICOCHET" is a Solid, Thrilling Read


It's been about two years since I first stumbled upon Taylor Moore's Down Range on paperback. I'm always skeptical about new authors—especially when I've heard nothing about their debut novel—but I put aside my doubts, and read Down Range and enjoyed it. I must not be the only reader who liked because the third sequel, Cold Trail, is coming out in September. A review copy of RICOCHET, the third book in the series, was sent to me many months ago—last fall. Yeah, I know. I need to work on my procrastination issues. Technically, I did read the book twice, if that means anything.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

[Review] — Tom Clancy's "COMMAND and CONTROL" is a By-the-Book Jack Ryan Thriller


I've noticed many readers are confused about the authorship of the newest Jack Ryan thriller, COMMAND and CONTROL (Available to buy on *Amazon.com). Although novelist Tom Clancy passed away over ten years ago in 2013, his name is still prominently displayed on the book cover, which can be misleading. Marc Cameron is the book's author, and his name is located at the bottom of the cover in smaller print, right under the book's title. There's also an author bio on the back flap of the book jacket that states that Tom Clancy died in 2013, so there's no excuse for not knowing of Clancy's demise. 

Friday, April 12, 2024

[Review] — James Patterson's "MISSING PERSONS" is a Paperback Rack Fluff

Buy the Paperback on *Amazon.com

I'm a bit confused about how many books are in the "Private" series by James Patterson. I have seen 22 books listed as part of the series, but the latest one published in the US is "MISSING PERSONS." This book is listed as #16 in the series, even though it was originally published as "Private Rogue" in the UK by Century in 2021. (Note: Fantastic Fiction lists nineteen books in the Private series.)

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

[Review] — "THE TEACHER" is a Twisted Page-Turner

*Buy the paperback on Amazon.com

I have come across the name Fredia McFadden in bookstores time and time again, and I was curious about her books. So, I decided to read her new thriller, THE TEACHER, which Poisoned Pen Press recently published. I had no idea what genre McFadden wrote in before starting the book. After reading the short prologue, I thought it was written for young adults because I believed the prologue protagonist was a teenager. Chapter one begins with an adult point of view through the eyes of Eve, then we meet troubled teenager Addie, and later in the novel, readers see through the eyes of Eve's husband, Nate. The entire novel flips back and forth between these three characters, which is something I usually detest, but this storytelling method works well here. 

Thursday, April 4, 2024

[Review] — "A LIFE WITH GHOSTS" is a Fun Behind-the-Scenes Look at Ghost Hunting


I read A Life With Ghosts last autumn, sometime around its release date, but I don't remember the exact date. I intended to write a review right away, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it kept getting postponed until now.

Thursday, March 28, 2024

[Review] — Harlan Ellison's "GREATEST HITS"

Available to buy on *Paperback and *Kindle.
Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read
(*Paid Link) 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the GREATEST HITS by Harlan Ellison Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

[Review] — Seven of Nine Returns in "STAR TREK: PICARD: FIREWALL"


Star Trek
has always been and will always be a "niche" genre. Though tie-in novel releases have gotten increasingly rare over the years, I always appreciate them when they are published. The first of just a handful of new Star Trek novels in 2024, STAR TREK: PICARD: FIREWALL, was penned by New York Times best-selling author David Mack and released by Gallery Books last month.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

[Review] — "THE NIGHTMARE MACHINE" is an Exciting Start to a Trilogy

Find the book on Goodreads and Books2Read


I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on THE NIGHTMARE MACHINE by Tim White Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 


About the Book


What is The Nightmare Machine? Think Silent Hill meets Inception and Monster Hunter International.

Five millennia of suffering. A pilgrimage steeped in terror. Will her quest bring redemption or only a false promise of salvation?


Bangor, Maine. Sara Holcomb knows what she must do. Raised within a secret order devoted to protecting humanity from a malevolent god, the dutiful seventeen-year-old prepares for a terrifying expedition through a world of nightmares. So when the time comes, she convinces three close friends to escort her on a perilous journey to an otherworldly cathedral of bone and blood.


Transported to a land of chaos and horror while they sleep, Sara wrestles with guilt at bringing people she holds dear to this hell from which they may not escape. And as vicious traps and pitiless creatures tear at their bodies and minds, the honor-bound young woman fears they won’t be strong enough to complete the mission that will preserve mankind.


Purchase the book directly from Tim! There’s also a prequel novella! 

 


My Review


THE NIGHTMARE MACHINE is an exciting start to a new series, specifically—a trilogy. In just a few pages, Tim White, the author, captures readers' attention and transports them to a fantastical voyage. On paper, the plot of a teenager, Sara, destined to save the world sounds tired and repetitive—but rescued by the author's brilliant use of expression and vivid descriptions help to give Sara genuine emotional depth. The other characters, particularly Sara's friends, are also well-written. 

 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading THE NIGHTMARE MACHINE—and the nearly 600 pages flew by quickly. You will have a good time reading it. ╌★★★★★

 


About Tim White



Tim White is an author, editor, writing coach, and game designer in Phoenix, Arizona. He started writing fiction in 1996 and nonfiction in 2006. As of 2023, he has published more than 1,000 nonfiction articles and three nonfiction books. He has written three novels, four novellas, dozens of tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) scripts, and hundreds of short stories.


Tim is a zealous crusader for the power of storytelling to promote human flourishing. He writes fiction in several genres, particularly one that he calls “Romantic horror” (as in “Romantic-era novelists” such as Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas, not as in “romance novel”). This little-known genre is unique in that it uses fear as a backdrop against which heroism is sharply contrasted, dramatized, and elevated.


Tim’s storytelling philosophy is summed up eloquently by one of his favorite authors:


    “I often hear people say that they read to escape reality, but I believe that what they’re really doing is reading to find reason for hope, to find strength. While a bad book leaves readers with a sense of hopelessness and despair, a good novel, through stories of values realized, of wrongs righted, can bring to readers a connection to the wonder of life. A good novel shows how life can and ought to be lived. It not only entertains but energizes and uplifts readers.”Terry Goodkind


Before transitioning to writing full time, Tim was an Army combat medic, and later, a nurse paramedic specializing in trauma and surgery. He is a lifelong shooter and has ranked moderately well in state-level 3-gun competitions. He loves board games, video games, and role-playing games; cats; Pembroke Corgis; good coffee; good books; and escape rooms. He owns an escape room venue in Arizona, where he designs and builds every prop and puzzle in-house.


Sign up for one or all of Tim's Newsletters!


Website | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details

(there are 2 giveaways)


Bargain Booksy Giveaway


One winner will be chosen at random on 4/15/2024 and notified via email that they have won the 20 eBooks and a Kindle.


Giveaway Link: https://www.bargainbooksy.com/thriller-giveaway-021524/


Rockstar Book Tours Giveaway


1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, International.


Ends March 5th, midnight EST.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule


Week One:

2/19/2024

@darkfantasyreviews

IG Post

2/19/2024

Kountry Girl Bookaholic

Excerpt/IG Post

2/20/2024

jlreadstoperpetuity

IG Post

2/20/2024

Writer of Wrongs

Excerpt

2/21/2024

The Melting Plot

IG Post

2/21/2024

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

2/22/2024

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

2/22/2024

GryffindorBookishnerd

IG Review

2/23/2024

Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's

Review/IG Post

2/23/2024

@books.mo.reads

IG Review

 Week Two:

2/26/2024

Books and Zebras

IG Review

2/26/2024

@stargirls.magical.tale

IG Review

2/27/2024

@dana.loves.books

IG Review/TikTok Post

2/27/2024

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

2/28/2024

FUONLYKNEW

Review

2/28/2024

The Momma Spot

Review

2/29/2024

One More Exclamation

Review/IG Post

2/29/2024

Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

Review/IG Post

3/1/2024

Confessions of the Perfect Mom

Review/IG Post

3/1/2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post


Tuesday, February 13, 2024

[Review] — "LOSING SPRING" is Jumbled Mess


It came to my attention that Chasing Endless Summer by V.C. Andrews (ghostwritten by Andrew Neiderman) was released today from Gallery Books; then, I realized I hadn't written my review for the previous book, Losing Spring. I've owned a copy of the latter since October of last year, and I took my sweet time reading it because—well, I knew it would be terrible from the start, and I was right.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

[Review] — Gunnar Hansen's "CHAIN SAW CONFIDENTIAL"


With the recent "rumored" reports of another reboot sequel to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre spreading online, it occurred to me that I should write a review for the reprint of Gunner Hansen's Chain Saw Confidential (available to purchase on *Paperback and *Kindle), which was released by Dark Ink, a division of AM Ink Publishing, last year, featuring a new cover design by Alicia Adkins. (*Paid Link)

Thursday, February 1, 2024

[Review] — "VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE: THE COMPLETE SERIES" Has a Lot of Bite!

Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE-THE COMPLETE SERIES by Tim Seeley, Jim Zub, Tini Howard, Blake Howard, Danny Lore, & Dev Pramanik, Nathan C. Gooden, Julius Ohta Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

[Review] — "THESE SAVAGE SHORES" is a Gruesome Supernatural Tale

Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THESE SAVAGE SHORES by Ram V & Sumit Kumar Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Friday, January 26, 2024

[Review] — Jack Reacher Goes Back to 1992 in "THE SECRET"


After viewing Reacher's season two finale on Amazon Prime, I felt it was time to write my review for the latest Jack Reacher novel, The Secret (available to purchase on *Hardcover and *Kindle), by Lee Child (pseudonym for James Dover Grant) and his brother Andrew Child (pseudonym for Andrew Grant). This book marks the 28th installment in the venerable series, which began in 1997 with Killing Floor. The series isn't published in chronological order, as the books are occasionally set in the past when the character was a member of the United States Army Military Police Corps, which is also the setting of The Secret. (*Paid Link)

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

[Review] — "BLADESTAY" is a Fascinating YA Western

Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the BLADESTAY by Jackie Johnson Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Monday, December 11, 2023

[Review] — "THE MELODY OF THREE" is an Imaginative Fantasy Tale

Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read


I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE MELODY OF THREE by S.D. Reeves Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!