GRANT LEISHMAN - BOOK REVIEWS

the Chronicles of aveline: awakening by ken fry

20/6/2018

It really doesn't matter what genre Ken Fry writes in; whether it is action/adventure, biblical conspiracies or historical fiction, the result is always a fantastic story well worth reading. Such is the case with Fry's latest novel, The Chronicles of Aveline.

Set in the 12th Century, between the Crusades, Sir Phillip Fitzwilliam, a veteran of earlier Crusades to the Holy Land, suspects another Crusade is imminent and he worries about his legacy and his estates. One son has already decided the Church is his future and the other son is determined to follow his Father's footsteps to Palestine and battle with Saladin, for God. Sir Phillip's daughter Aveline is, however, unique for a young titled lady of the time. A skilled horsewoman, archer and sword fighter, she wants something more from life than the boring, pointless, exercise of marriage and embroidery. She is equally determined that she wants nothing to do with the all-powerful Church of the time, its priests and nuns whom she mistrusts with a passion.

When Aveline finds the possibility of marrying for love, with the Earl's son, her natural womanly passions take over and when her and her lover are charged, by the Church, with the sin of fornication, their lives will be changed forever. Persecuted by the Church and separated from her beloved, Aveline determines to escape their clutches and follow her lover to the Holy Land, as a woman Knight.

As always, Fry's descriptive narrative takes the reader right inside the 12th Century and we feel the pain and the passion experienced by Aveline as she is mistreated and abused by the Church. As a hero, Aveline has so much to offer; courage, determination, compassion and not the least, femininity. I found myself riding alongside her, advising her and shuddering occasionally at the trials she faced. Fry is that sort of an author - his stories get under your skin.

Did I think the book was too short? Absolutely - I always hate it when I come toward the end of a Fry novel. I don't want it to end. Did I think the story ended too abruptly? For sure. There is much more to tell of Aveline and her adventures, but I can relax in the hope that Fry is currently working on the continuation of Aveline's journey.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - when it comes to Indie Author's in today's marketplace Ken Fry is one of the most adaptable, versatile and readable authors out there. He stands at the very top of my favoured author list. When I hear there's a new Fry due out - I jump. The Chronicles of Aveline is an absolute winner and I can not recommend it enough.

Absolutely do pop on over to Amazon and take a look at The Chronicles of Aveline, plus all of Ken Fry's exceptional work, here on his Amazon Author page:

under a warped cross by steve lindahl

18/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Under A Warped Cross takes us back to Dark Ages Britannia, forever under the threat of Viking invasion and raiding parties. Author Steve Lindahl brings us a tale of family, love and struggle as we meet siblings Abigail, Goda and Waso. When Abigail is wrongly accused of incest with her brother, the Church moves viciously to mark her as a sinner forever, slicing off her nose. With her face so hideously marked, Abigail and Goda run away together to find somewhere they can live in peace away from the prying eyes of judgment and priests. Consumed by guilt at his brother and sister’s cruel treatment Waso vows to find and rescue his two siblings. His search for them will take him from Britannia, across the Irish Sea and thence to the Scandinavian home of the Vikings. Despite his travails, Goda never loses hope of finding and rescuing his siblings and together with the exotic Persian woman, Stateira, they escape Viking captivity and head for home and the search for Goda’s brother and sister.

I have always been a fan of historical novels and especially ones centred around this little known time of British history. In Under A Warped Cross, author Steve Lindahl has taken us inside the lives of poor, everyday folk in this era, folk for whom the struggle to survive against oppressive masters, an overbearing and all powerful Church, the vicious and bloodthirsty Vikings, as well as the everyday villains and robbers of the day. His characters were well drawn and showed us the power of family and a resolute hope for the future. The writing is powerful and descriptive and allows you to live the horrors these people faced on a daily basis, whilst still learning something of the various beliefs and cultures of the people of that day. I particularly enjoyed the inner dialogue of Waso and his determination to not only find his missing siblings, but to also question much of the accepted religious dogma of the day. Having Stateira, as a Muslim woman and the questions and conflicts that raised in Waso, just lifted this story over and above the average historical novel. This is an excellent read and one I can highly recommend.

You can find Under A Warped Cross here on Steve Lindahl's Amazon page.

the onyx ring: book 2 of the family relics series by tanya miranda

18/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The witches and sorcerers have been in constant conflict for Millennia. When sorcerer Caderyn married witch Finna, centuries earlier, the union was meant to unite the two groups, but instead mistrust and enmity between the Clan and the Coven, saw Finna flee with the couple’s child Agatha, forever cementing the war between the two competing bodies and also heralding the unleashing of the unstoppable Gregorn dragons who will ultimately decide the epic battle between the Clan and the Coven. This is the world presented to us in the epic fantasy The Onyx Ring: Family Relics Book 2 byTanya Miranda. Brother and sister Logan and Jasmyn are direct descendants of Finna and Caderyn. Jasmyn is the recipient of Finna’s magic and Logan has just been chosen as the heir to Caderyn’s magic. Pitted on possible opposite sides of this eternal struggle, both siblings must come to terms with who they now are and what their roles will be in the future. When one of the Clan’s survivors, Kean plans to usurp control from Caderyn and Logan, the siblings must fight for their lives.

Although this is book two in the series, it is not essential for a reader to have read book one, although I would encourage it. It did take me some time to place all the characters in their correct order and chronology and I’m sure had I read book one first, it would have been so much easier. That having been said, The Onyx Ring: Family Relics Book 2 does stand alone as a very readable fantasy tale. Author Tanya Miranda has given us a fast-paced, exciting story, with an excellent backstory and the potential for even more in the future. Jasmyn, as the lead character, is everything you can expect from a heroic female lead and yet is beautifully softened by her angst over her younger sister’s untimely death and her desire to return in time to undo what has happened to almost destroy both her Coven and her brother’s Clan, over the centuries. I particularly enjoyed the reflective moments of the characters, especially those who had lived for centuries, such as Caderyn, as the author took the opportunity to reflect on man’s innate nature and whether conflict was indeed his natural state. Miranda has a natural story-telling ability and I can definitely recommend this book to fans of the fantasy genre, or just plain action/adventure fans.

You can find The Onyx Ring: Book Two of the Family Relics Series here on Tanya Miranda's Amazon page:

freaking fast by david pereda

13/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Freaking Fast by David Pereda is a young adult novel that thrusts us into the future, reminiscing about today. Alexandra Martin is a successful mathematician living in Asheville, North Carolina, in the year 2066. As she drives her flash, robot car to shoot the man who she describes as the love of her life, she begins to reminisce about her middle-school years, her friends and the day she met the boy who would have such an influence over her life, Ukranian Vitali Borzov. Back in middle-school Alex was your typical nerd; incredibly smart and bright, but equally, totally uncoordinated, shy and doubtful about her looks and her personality. Eager to obtain a scholarship to an elite high-school, Alex is dismayed when she is told she needs to be a more “well-rounded” teenager if she is to guarantee the scholarship – her high grades will not be enough. She knows she’s a faster runner than her schoolmates, so in desperation she decides to give track and field a crack, sprinting in particular. Alex remembers her friends and her time as a rising sprint star along with her new friends and the impact they had on her life, as she heads over to kill the man who she loves more than anything in this world.

David Pereda has produced a fascinating, little story, in Freaking Fast that gives us a peek into what the future might hold, but also spends much time reflecting on the angst and self-doubts that are part of any teenager’s makeup. The characters he creates are typical young teenagers, anxious to prove themselves to their peers, but equally terrified of not being accepted, or of being ridiculed. The author’s style is simple and flowing as should be the case for a target market of young adults. As anything but a young adult, I still found the story compelling and especially enjoyed the deep and meaningful analysis of how Alex faced her sprinting races and dealt with both success and failure. The author made subtle references to how to deal with perceived “failure”, which I appreciated. I also found the little asides, relating to current events of today, both relevant and clever on the author’s part. This was an extremely easy book to read and I can definitely recommend it for not just young adults, but for all those young at heart and especially anyone who tried to follow their dreams, as a young teenager. Freaking Fast is an excellent read.

You can find Freaking Fast as well as David Pereda's other works, here on Amazon:

three against the world: a waif, a stray, and the search for romance by sarah stuart

12/6/2018

As a long time fan of Sarah Stuart's quirky and controversial romances, I was excited to read her latest offering; Three Against the World: A Waif, A Stray and the Search for Romance. I was certainly not disappointed. When Richard's ex-wife unexpectedly drops a fourteen-year-old girl on his doorstep one night and claims, she is his daughter, Richard's life changes forever. Richard, Maria and their rescue dog, Ben, suddenly finds themselves as "three against the world". Richard is determined to do whatever he can to make-up for Maria's terrible childhood at the hands of her mother. The best solution, in Richard's mind is to find himself a loving wife who can be a stepmother to Maria and create a happy family for them all. Chaos and misunderstandings ensue as Richard and Maria build a relationship, searching ultimately for trust and unconditional love.

Stuart's work has obviously been deeply affected by her love of music and specifically musical theatre, something that is plainly evident in this story also, with even the chapter titles named after songs and show tunes. Her character development of the two main characters (three, if you count the dog Ben) is, as always superb. As readers, we come to love the three characters, as they seek to place themselves in a world that, at times, seems to reject them. As a Father, I can fully identify with Richard's desire to protect and love his newly acquired daughter with every fibre of his being.

Stuart's romances are never straight-forward and Three Against the World is more proof of that. The quirks and twists she throws into this love story are what lifts it above the run-of-the-mill romance stories. I absolutely loved this story and do not hesitate in saying this is her best work, I've read, so far. I can highly recommend this story to anyone who likes quirky, dark-humoured, typically English romances. If you love human foibles, you will love this story.

Be sure to pop on over to Amazon and take a closer look at Three Against the World, plus the rest of Sarah Stuart's amazing portfolio of works.

the cartel crusher by dan e hendrickson

11/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Marnia Gonzalez, is the daughter of the ex-President of Mexico. After she is kidnapped and brutally assaulted by Cartel criminals and rescued by the legendary Hero of Cozumel, Commander Jacob Edwards of the U.S, Coast Guard, Marnia makes a decision that will change her life and those of all the people she loves. In The Cartel Crusher by Dan E Hendrickson, Marnia eschews her pampered and privileged lifestyle to serve in the Mexican military and to risk her life chasing down and destroying the criminal cartels that ruin the lives of everyday Mexicans and have their tentacles in every level of Mexican society. Marnia joins the Anti-Cartel Task Force and is soon recognised for her intelligence and her ability to defeat the most cunning of Cartel leaders. The beautiful, yet deadly, Marnia is the number one target of the criminals at home in Mexico, but even more so by the absolute elite of criminals who form part of a Secret Society that rules the world. Her life, her family’s life is in danger, but she is determined to end the cartels’ relentless power and hold over her people.

One of the real pleasures of being an “Indie” book reviewer is being able to watch new and exciting authors emerge and develop, as they hone their craft and tighten their narratives. The Cartel Crusher by Dan E Hendrickson is the second book in this series and having read the first effort, I am thrilled and stunned by the development of this author over the two books. This book is an out and out thriller, with a touch of sweet romance thrown into the mix. I found it “un-put-downable” and read it in virtually a single sitting. Many of the characters I met in the first book, reappear, albeit briefly, in this story, but it stands perfectly well as a stand-alone novel in its own right. The author does a magnificent job at refreshing the backstory for those of us who read the first book and introducing it to new readers. The author’s sentence structure and plot coherency have improved markedly between books and he deserves real credit for this. This second book left me intrigued and dying to know where the series will lead us in the third book of the trilogy. If you love action/adventure with real-life relevance then you will love The Cartel Crusher – I certainly did.

You can find The Cartel Crusher by Dan E. Hendrickson, here on Amazon:

from hell to fire: book 1 sex and politics by allison brooks

10/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Allison Brooks was not your typical African-American young woman growing up on the mean streets of Compton during the eighties and nineties. She loved her music, probably more than anything else, but she knew she had to find a job that paid well and offered job security. Despite the paucity of woman fire fighters at the time, Allison set her heart on earning a permanent place on the professional fire fighting staff of Compton (L.A.). Based on true-life events, but fictionalised, From Hell to Fire, author Allison Brooks tells her story of prejudice, chauvinism and downright meanness she would face as one of the few woman professional fire fighters in the Mid 1990’s. Allison quickly discovered that politics and sex were two of the biggest components of a professional fire fighter’s life. Daily she would confront the outright sexism and unfairness a woman in that position was subjected to. This story is book one of the Allison Brooks story, with no doubt, much more to come.

From Hell to Fire is a no-holds barred look at life in a tough profession, at the best of times, but as a woman, even tougher. Allison Brooks tells the story in the vernacular of the street and doesn’t pull any punches, both as a professional fire fighter and as an African-American woman living in Compton. This hard-edged style certainly gave the story the “street credibility” it probably needed. What I particularly liked about the story was that interspersed among the tales of daily life in the fire station were some absolute philosophical gems expounding on the authors views on men, women, music, sexism, unfairness and life in general. Her explanation of the six types of women out there was both funny and insightful. There was a strong vein of self-doubt running through the entire book, which contrasted greatly with the self-assured professional that Allison portrayed to the outside world, especially to her colleagues in the Fire Department. This definitely gave the main character (the Shero, if you will) a much warmer edge than may otherwise have been the case. As a first novel (cum memoir) this was a solid first effort. I look for more depth and tightness in the sequel.

You can take a look at From Hell to Fire by Allison Brooks, here on Amazon:

in another life by angela Gascoigne

8/6/2018

Holly Dineen's perfect life fell apart when her husband was killed in a car accident. It has taken her a long time to pull herself, with the help of her best friend Trudi and medication, out of her depression. Things are finally looking up for Holly and her new relationship with the gorgeous Polish immigrant Marek seems to be on track, when her mind and her life are thrown into turmoil again. When she finds out things from her husband's past that she struggles to deal with, she again begins a rapid spiral out of control and back into the depths of depression and mental illness.

In Another Life, by Angela Gascoigne is another one of this author's sweet, quirky and yet deeply moving, at times, glimpse into the lives and loves of very ordinary people, with very ordinary problems - people just like us; her readers. I have been an enormous fan of Gascoigne's writing ever since I read her first book several years ago. Her style and her offbeat and sometimes slightly dark sense of humour, perhaps reflects my own jaundiced, but ever hopeful view of the world. As a writer, she gets the human condition and more importantly identifies the flaws and character quirks that make for excellent storytelling. There is something simply relaxing and soothing about Gascoigne's books. I always feel deeply the peace and the angst of the characters she invents.

In Another Life is not pretentious, literary, or particularly deep, but what it is, is using storytelling to highlight a real problem in many people's lives - that of depression and mental illness. When I finish a Gascoigne book, I always feel a sense of completeness in the story and its characters. To me, there is probably no higher praise for an author. This book is a wonderful read and one I can highly recommend.

Do yourself a favour and pop on over to Amazon to take a look at In Another Life, plus all of Angela Garcoigne's superb work, on her Amazon page.

Bind Not the Heart: A Windflower Saga Novella (The Windflower Saga Book 7) by aleksandra layland

7/6/2018

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Aleksandra Layland’s Windflower Saga Novella’s give us an insight into many of the characters that may appear only briefly in her series based around the mythical kingdom of Kimbria and the Ansgar bloodline that has played such a big part in ruling that kingdom. Bind Not The Heart is one such novella, where we meet the twins Ermitrude and Ermen. Lady Ermitrude enters the convent and becomes a Nun, Sister Ermitrude. What follows is a life dedicated to teaching and to bringing education to the far-flung reaches of the kingdom, especially the rural areas where children have no access to schooling. Her twin brother Ermen, likewise takes Holy Orders and becomes a Monk and also a teacher. Through the fascinating lives of these two educators we meet many of the other characters of the Ansgar line and have the opportunity to place them in their appropriate area within this long-running and prolific saga, across many generations. As well as instructing each new generation of Kimbrian’s, both Ermitrude and Ermen will have a profound effect on the royal lineage and those who are part of the special world that is the Ansgar bloodline.

Author Aleksandra Layland has built a wonderful social and cultural history in the Kimbrian/Ansgar stories, one which traverses many generations. The novella’s, such a Bind Not The Heart, give the avid reader of her works an expanded dimension to characters who may well have just been merely mentioned in passing, in previous stories. I am in awe of the author’s ability to keep the massive genealogical tree in order and understandable for the reader, especially given the repetitious use of identical or very similar names, as is the Kimbrian tradition. I have only read one of Layland’s other books thus far, but even then I continually found myself noting a character’s mention and realising I’d come across that particular character before. The author has produced an easy-to-read, fascinating product that surprisingly doesn’t require you to have read any of her other works, to enjoy and understand it. I love the way she weaves ideals and social mores into her character’s stories. In my mind that is the mark of a good storyteller – one that can make a reader think and ponder, on the choices and beliefs of the characters. Aleksandra Layland is such a storyteller, in my mind – high praise indeed, for what is proving to be an excellent series.

Be sure to pop on over to Amazon and take a look at Bind The Heart, plus all of Aleksandra Layland's prolific portfolio, on her Amazon page:

prime vector by diana a. hicks

7/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Humanity has finally found the way to immortality. But, there are consequences to being immortal. In order to obtain this immortality, you must be subjected to the virus Ukruum and require regular booster shots to maintain your immortality. This is the premise of the dystopian, science fiction novel, Prime Vector by Diana A Hicks. The virus must be grown, along with the Ukruum plant, in order to keep supplies of the virus constant. The plant itself destroys the soil it grows in, so when earth was virtually destroyed by the plant, a group of scientists terraformed Mars and set about growing the product there. It soon became apparent, however, that immortality must be limited to just a few and the Immortals, through their Forever Queen and the QEC Army, would control and subjugate the rest of humanity to maintain their immortality. Catita John always thought she was just the unlucky younger sister of QEC Commando and Immortal Ry John, but when she sees her sister murdered (something which shouldn’t happen to an immortal) she vows to track down the killer. When she meets Tek, the son of an original immortal scientist, the sparks fly immediately and it is clear their destinies and the future of Mars and Earth will be inextricably linked to them.

Prime Vector is exactly what it sets out to be; a dystopian, science fiction story with a heap of old-fashioned romance thrown into the mix. Given that the story is from romance author Diana A Hicks, this is hardly surprising. Hicks has a style that allows the reader to make assumptions and draw their own conclusions about the plot, many of which will prove to be false. She has an expert ability to throw red-herrings into the mix that come back to surprise and trip up the reader. I particularly liked the slow release of information that had me guessing right until the end. Her two principal characters Cat and Tek were beautifully well drawn and their relationship was sizzling right from the very first chapter. Again, Hicks had the ability to allow her characters, Cat especially, to recognise the emotions she felt for Tek, but to still question their validity and their appropriateness, especially given their relative positions in the state of the story. I appreciated the fact that the author left a small door open at the end for the possibility of a sequel, should the desire take her. As a straight romance writer, I always find it pleasing when an author stretches herself and tries something new, as Hicks appears to have done here. Prime Vector is a fast-paced, rollicking story that action, science fiction, and romance junkies will enjoy. I certainly did.

Although Prime Vector is not yet for sale on Amazon, you can take a look at author Diana A. Hicks' other works, on her Amazon page:

state of conflict by mark hess

6/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

It is early 1861 and Zeke Hampton is returning from the Mexican Civil War, where he has been fighting on the side of the rebels, back to his home in San Francisco, where he finds his own country on the verge of its own Civil War. In State of Conflict by Mark Hess, Zeke is unusual in that although he is white, he was adopted and raised by a family of Chinese immigrants in San Francisco’s Chinatown. He sees the forthcoming war in very clear terms – to him, it is about giving freedom and dignity to another group of people who have been discriminated against and enslaved merely because of their skin colour. There is never any doubt that Zeke Hampton will enlist in the Union Army and with California, teetering between supporting the Union or the Confederacy he was always going to be caught up in the intrigue, spying and double-dealing that would go on all around him, even at the higher levels of the Union Army. Zeke, schooled by his older Chinese brother in the art of hand to hand fighting (kung-fu, presumably) and in the Art of War as expounded by Sun Tzu, was always going to be a different type of soldier, albeit an effective one, to his comrades.

State of Conflict by Mark Hess lifts itself above the average run-of-the-mill novels about the Civil War period, simply by the nature of its lead character, Ezekial Hampton. Zeke is an enigma, mainly because he was raised in a Chinese family and differs so greatly, in his outlook and actions, from his fellow soldiers in the Union Army. What becomes apparent early on in the story is that the Union Army was anything but homogeneous, with the Army, as was the country, populated by immigrants from all over the world. I particularly liked the view the author gave of the Chinese immigrant family and their struggle for acceptance in an increasingly hostile California. It was clear Zeke’s character and his view of right and wrong came from his adoptive parents and brother. The author’s style allowed the narrative to flow well and I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Zeke’s fiancée, Katy’s family and his adoptive Chinese family. The message of tolerance and understanding of that which we don’t understand came through the writing, loud and clear. The addition of philosophy, especially the art of war and life from Sun Tzu just gave the narrative something special and I appreciated the author’s intent with this.

You can take a look at State of Conflict here on Mark Hess' Amazon page:

blood gold in the congo by peter ralph

4/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

When Joseph Muamba, the eldest of nine children, was “sold” by his Congolese parents, as an adolescent, to an American couple looking to adopt, nobody understood the impact this young man would have, one day, on the strife-torn, poverty-stricken, African nation. Blood Gold in the Congo by Peter Ralph, sees Joseph initially struggling to adapt to life in the US, until the young man discovers he has a natural talent for all sports and after being convinced he was perfectly suited for the Decathlon, Joseph aims for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. To everyone’s surprise Joseph is determined to compete for the country of his birth, rather than his adopted country and he returns the first Olympic Medal and a Gold Medal, to boot, for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A national hero, Joseph sees his new status as an opportunity to work for the empowerment of his poor, downtrodden, Congolese people, in this mineral-rich country. Rich, powerful, and corrupt businessmen and politicians all want Joseph to work for their interests, to secure their wealth and power in the Congo, but Joseph feels he is pulled by a greater destiny to restore dignity and fairness to a country wracked by civil-war and a brutal, murderous regime.

Author Peter Ralph was inspired by true events in the Congo to pen his novel, Blood Gold in the Congo and his rendition of this tale is truly wonderful. From the very first pages the reader is drawn into and rooting for this little boy, uprooted from his family and everything he knows, to be transplanted into an alien setting, albeit a very gilded one, in the United States. The story is an action/adventure worthy of “Boys Own” magazine and yet also has great undercurrents of social comment and extremely relevant issues of corruption of power that are well worth discussing and re-reading. I enjoyed this book immensely and found the authors style easy and captivating. The secondary characters are developed and imbued with realism, equally as well as Joseph Muamba was, especially his two boyhood friends, Maya and Yannick. Probably the saddest thing about this story is that it could have been written and equally applicable to almost all of the colonised African nations of the late twentieth century. The powers that ruled Africa for over a Century inevitably left behind a legacy of corruption, violence and a power vacuum that would spur racial, ethnic and clan war for decades after their departure. The recent revelations by CNN of child labour exploitation in Cobalt mining in the Congo, merely confirms the premise Ralph used for the basis of this novel. This is an outstanding read and simply a wonderful action/adventure story.

You can take a look at Blood Gold in the Congo, plus all of Peter Ralph's extensive works here on his Amazon page:

long shadows on the crimson range by s. b. nace

4/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Long Shadows on the Crimson Range by S B Nace takes us back to a West just emerging from the rough and tumble of the early years and the aftermath of the Civil War. We meet Tom Ross, a good man who has seen and participated in his share of fights and arguments. For Tom it is time to settle down, to marry his beloved Trixie and to start a family. But, Tom, it seems has a natural attraction for trouble and never being one to back down from a fight, especially when he believes it is morally right, or the fight unfair, Tom quickly finds himself in a passel of trouble. Along with his good friend and compadre, Milt Good, Tom has to leave his family behind and reinvent himself not once, but twice. Set in the early 1900’s Tom and Milt spend much time crisscrossing the Western States, always looking over their shoulders in case someone should recognise them and they are forced to run yet again. It seems nowhere in the wide Western expanses is safe from recognition, for this hard man and his sidekick.

Long Shadows on the Crimson Range is one of those particular hybrid historical novels that combines legend, recorded history and the author’s fertile imagination to flesh out the details of a real person (Tom Ross) and the characters who surround him. Author S B Nace is clearly familiar with the tales and legends but has also gone to considerable lengths to research as much as possible about this time period and the characters that inhabit his pages. I was impressed with the detail of the journeys of Tom and Milt and it is a fillip to the author, that, as a reader, I was often left wondering what is truth and what is fiction in this tale. The book is told primarily from the perspective of Tom Ross’ friend, Milt Good and as such we get a fascinating glimpse of Tom Ross’ character and motivations from someone who knew him better than even his wife and daughter. In many ways this story reads like a long obituary from a newspaper, as it details the important events and happenings in the life of this legendary character. If you are a fan of the Western genre and particularly of “fallible” heroes from this time, as the West transitioned from a lawless world to a “civilised” society, you will surely enjoy this tale.

You can take a look at Long Shadows on the Crimson Range, by S.B. Nace, here on Amazon

saving paludis by clayton graham

2/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Saving Paludis by Clayton Graham takes are far into the future and far out into the cosmos. Man has developed a device known as, an Einstein-Rosen bridge, which finally allows him to conquer the vast distances of the Universe. With this, technological advancement human-kind has spread out across the cosmos and conquered many planets, for their own resources, including Paludis. Paludis, which has mainly been used for mining bauxite, has now come up with a fantastic new invention, a sleeping pill that will allow humans to explore even deeper into the cosmos, whilst the pioneers sleep away the immense time and distance. When Earth is attacked and the source of the attack is pinpointed as Paludis, the logical assumption is that this is about control of the most important discovery of the generations – the sleeper. Nobody suspects the subjugated and technologically deprived natives of Paludis, the Muskan’s, to be responsible for the attacks on earth – but could they be?

I found Saving Paludis to be good, solid, Science Fiction fare, with some interesting and relevant comments to be made on issues such as inter-species breeding, man’s natural arrogance, and indeed man’s inherent greed and sense of entitlement. Perhaps it's just me, but I could almost picture some of the characters wearing a MEGA (Make Earth Great Again) cap, I thought Clayton Graham presented us with a fast-moving, action-packed adventure that shied away from being too technical, or too geeky, which is exactly how I prefer my Science Fiction. At its core this novel is an action/adventure and as such had a complicated and twisty plot that at times threatened to drown the reader in its intricacies. The fast-paced nature of the story left less room for character development than I would have liked, however I accept that is the nature of the beast. If you are a fan of Science Fiction, of strange worlds, with fantastic inhabitants and aliens, then Saving Paludis will be a really satisfying read for you. It is nothing pretentious, just a good old-fashioned space adventure, set on a foreign world.

You can check out Saving Paludis, as well as the rest of Clayton Graham's work, here on his Amazon page.

cascading petals by jane c. brady

31/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Bullying is never okay! That is what they always say in schools all over the world, but is it just a platitude that those in authority spout, without truly adhering to? In Cascading Petals, by Jane C Brady we face bullying head-on, in not an abstract manner, but in a deeply personal and realistic way. Jewel Hart has spent most of her school days as the subject of intense bullying; bullying that has lowered her self-esteem and led her to question her place in the world, whether she even belongs here. In this her final year, a senior now, she hopes and prays that things will be different and the year will fly by until she is released, to be an adult, to go to college and to escape the remorseless taunting and pain. When Jewel meets Kaiden Carter she believes she has finally found a kindred spirit, someone she can believe in and trust. Maybe, this final year will be a good one, after all, she consoles herself. For Jewel and her new friends, the final year of high-school will bring the subjects of bullying and teen suicide to a dramatic head, teaching them all something important about themselves and the world.

Cascading Petals is very much a teen romance story and one that is beautifully told, by author Jane C Brady, but it is very much more than that. The author uses the story to explore dark and often hitherto hidden places where teenage minds and angst can reside, especially when faced with the hurtful taunts and lies of not only their peers, but even some of their teachers. The ulterior motive of this book was clearly to shine a light into areas that we, as adults, are often afraid to go and to show just how incredibly debilitating systematic and concerted bullying can be to, not just those being bullied, but often to the perpetrators themselves. Brady tells the story, with no holds-barred and yet maintains a sensitivity and a compassion that we wish was present inside of those who choose to relieve their own inner pain at the expense of others. The characters are real and perhaps not even your typical target of bullies, but I’m sure that was the intent of the author also; to show that it is not only the overweight, or the acne ridden, or the socially awkward teenagers who can be the butt of these young people’s anger and hurt. This is one of the best books on the subject I’ve read and Brady is to be congratulated for telling this difficult story without resorting to clichés and over-emotional responses. A great job.

You can take a look at Cascading Petals by Jane C. Brady, here on her Amazon page:

two hearts find christmas (two hearts wounded warrior romance #5) by tamara ferguson

28/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

There is a legend in Crystal Rock, Wisconsin that a kiss shared in the Crystal Rock Cave is a kiss for all eternity. When Josh kissed Nina, as frightened teenagers, little did either of them realise that many years later their lives would again be thrown together and the possibility of the legend coming true would be manifest. Josh returns to his home town, just before Christmas, a wounded hero from Iraq, a wounded warrior, no less. When he enters the Crystal Rock Wounded Warrior’s Rehabilitation Centre, he is reunited with, the now nurse, Nina. Can either of them rise above their troubled childhoods and find true love, despite the past that keeps returning to haunt them. This is the premise of this novella; Two Hearts Find Christmas (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 5), by Tamara Ferguson. This is the fifth book in this series based around Crystal Rock, former FBI Special Agent Jake Loughlin, and his family and friends.

This is not the first Tamara Ferguson novella I’ve read and indeed not the first Wounded Warrior novella, either. Different characters, within the group that make up the Jake Loughlin circle of family and friends are explored in each of these stories. Josh and Nina, as characters were easy to identify with and to root for. Both had had difficult, traumatic, childhoods and Ferguson dealt with some potentially horrific subject matter with sensitivity and grace. Some might argue the romance plot is fairly formulaic, but Ferguson gives much more depth to the stories, with her complicated backstory and continuity of history through the years. Definitely Two Hearts Find Christmas (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 5) is a chilling reminder of the evil that does exist out there among us, but also a sweet reminder of the sanctity and power of true love, plus the indomitability of the human spirit to triumph over adversity and to work for good. Although I’m not American, it was perhaps appropriate that I read this tale over Memorial Day weekend, as Americans honour the many fallen as well as the multitude of wounded warriors.

Tamara Ferguson is a prolific, highly-acclaimed author whose novella; Two Hearts Find Christmas, plus the rest of her extensive portfolio, can be found here, on her Amazon page:

far endeavor: A windflower saga novella (the windflower saga book 9) by aleksandra layland

25/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Far Endeavor: A Windflower Saga Novella by Aleksandra Layland takes us on a journey through time and adventure as we follow the travels of three siblings; Lord Branimir Rongo, plus his sister and brother, as they set sail to find antiquities worth studying, for the University where they all either teach or study. This hazardous journey will open up new horizons for all three siblings and will change their lives forever. Especially for Branimir, whose original quest for manuscripts will change to a search for his history and that of his family and clan. Born of the Kimbrii, the indigenous people, Branimir and his siblings are typical of his people, a mixture of the white and the dark. Their skin may be dark, but their eyes give away their heritage. Layland has created herself an entire uncharted world here, where dangerous voyages on small boats are required to find and explore ancient cultures.

This is a novella and as such relatively short, but I found it fascinating and it drew me into this culture and world that Aleksandra Layland has created covering a broad span of stories. The writing is simple, yet endearing and draws you into the story beautifully as she explores the heritage and birth-right of these three siblings, as they set out on what was supposed to be just a simple voyage of archaeological interest, but would instead turn into a life-changing journey for all three of them. At its heart; Far Endeavor; A Windflower Saga Novella is a romance, and a very acceptable one at that, but scratch the surface and you find much more. The author’s dry and sometimes wicked sense of humour comes through in her characters, as does the subtle, but very real, commentary on racism, sexism, war, and social mores that are equally as relevant in our world as they were in Lord Branimir’s. I have not previously read any of Layland’s work, but if nothing else, this book opened up a world of possibilities, for me, as a reader. I was impressed by this work and would encourage readers to take a look at her entire Windflower series, as I will indeed be. This is an excellent read.

Absolutely do pop on over to Amazon and check out Far Endeavor, along with the entire Aleksandra Layland collection:

the beginning - alliance by sal ardisi, karen nordahl and rob calouri

22/5/2018

If it is realistic Sicilian Mafia drama set in New York City that you're seeking, you couldn't go far wrong with picking up Sal Ardisi, Karen Nordahl & Rob Colouri's new novel, The Beginning - Alliance, a book that traces the history and descendants of one famous mob boss, "Sally Balls".
When Salvatore DePriate leaves his Sicilian homeland to seek his fortune, a mistake sees him board a ship for the United States, instead of the planned Rome. Unfazed, Salvatore quickly settles into his life in the new world and became a leading figure in the underworld of New York. Desperate for an heir to his empire, Sally Balls was disappointed with his son's disinterest in his business. Sally's hope for someone to work with him transferred to his two grandsons, Tommy and Frankie.
Tommy, Frankie and their best friend Anthony were inseparable growing up, although their lives would take a different direction as they grew older. Tommy would drift into his Grandfather's crime business, while Frankie and Anthony would both choose the opposite side of the fence, opting to join the Police Force.
This story is well-written, easy to read and feels very true-to-life. Three authors is unusual, to say the least, but in this case it seems to work well. The authors did extremely well to create and nourish the obvious conflict that arose between the boys' duty to Law and Order and Tommy's clear flouting of all the laws and his expectations that he could get away with it, just as his Grandfather had been successfully doing for so long. Of the three main characters, I perhaps felt the most affinity for Frankie, whose search for stability and happiness had left behind a broken marriage, a lot of empty bottles and ultimately true tragedy.
The Beginning - Alliance, it appears, is the first in a planned series of books and as such, it sets up the next episode extremely well. Everything is not always as it seems, would appear to be the most likeliest motto I could take from this book. I enjoyed the characters, the action and the lifestyle depictions and look forward to the next offering from this author team. This book is an excellent start to what promises to be an exciting series.

You can find The Beginning - Alliance by Sal Ardisi, Karen Nordahl and Rob Calouri, here on Amazon:

currents of sin by arleen alleman

21/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Currents of Sin by Arleen Alleman is the sixth and she says final iteration of her investigative, crime-fighting, freelance journalist Darcy Farthing. This time, Darcy takes a short vacation back in Florida to try and get her head around the difficulties she is having in her marriage to her current husband Mick, when old friend Tom drops a potential story into her lap. Any plans she had to investigate the missing Pumas story are quickly thrust into the background by an urgent call from another friend, Don, whose foster daughter is missing and he believes in serious trouble in Las Vegas. Quickly flying to Las Vegas to help, Darcy, her previous husband Brooke and her best friend Sid are quickly drawn into a web of criminality that defies belief. Asian gangs, drugs, teenage prostitution and sex slavery, not to mention international people trafficking confront Darcy head on, as she begins the search for seventeen-year-old Pammie, who is just maybe, somewhere in Sin City. So begins this tale of crime, intrigue, and violence.

Having not read anything before from Arleen Alleman, I was surprised and thrilled at the stand-alone nature of the story. Backstory to Currents of Sin is generously provided by the author, sprinkled through the story and not only adds to this current journey, but gives the reader every encouragement to delve further into the author’s previous works and discover more about these fascinating characters. The characters Alleman has fashioned in this tale have doubtless grown and matured over the course of the six stories and perhaps that’s why they feel so real and warm to the reader. The author clearly has a real grasp on her character’s true natures and their foibles as well as their endearing traits. Although this is primarily a mystery crime story, it also is a treatise on the human condition and the base elements of good and evil. As a reader I found the balance between action/adventure and character development/life philosophy to be well achieved. If this is indeed the last in this series, based on the final book, I can commend Alleman on a well-researched, well written, easy to read and enjoyable adventure. I can highly recommend this book to readers of all genres.

By all means, do pop on over to Arleen Alleman's Amazon page, where you can find Currents of Sin, plus all of Alleman's work.

the m strain by bradley michael

18/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

A rogue scientist has manufactured his own deadly virus to sell to the highest bidder and when terrorists get a hold of it, we know the world will soon be in serious trouble. This is the premise behind Bradley Michael’s dystopian novel, The M Strain. When a thief steals the virus and becomes infected within its deadly grasp, in his death throes he crashes his car into a tree in the front of the unsuspecting Taylor residence. Before they know what has happened, Homeland Security have whisked them off to the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) in an attempt to control the spread of what may be the most deadly virus in mankind’s history. Agent Johns from Homeland Security with his crack team will seek to find and recover the missing vials of virus before they can be unleashed on an unsuspecting world.

The M Strain was a relatively short, yet still satisfying read of the potential that exists for something, be it pandemic or deliberately released disease to decimate the world’s population and leave civilisation teetering on the brink of collapse. Bradley Michael has a simple, straightforward writing style that is easy to read and certainly the story is action-packed and moves at an excellent pace. There is no indication yet whether this is a continuing story, but there is definitely room for a sequel, given the ultimate ending of the story. Although I found the over use of real names as opposed to pronouns a little distracting at times, it wasn’t enough to limit my enjoyment of a good story that has the potential for an excellent dystopian sequel, which I hope the author is considering. A good, solid read is how I would describe The M Strain.

You can find The M Strain, here on Amazon:

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