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  • ABOUT
  • MY BOOKS
    • THE SECOND COMING
    • RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST
    • HOLY WAR
    • JUST A DROP IN THE OCEAN
    • PARANORMAL ALLEY
    • TORTURED MINDS
    • THE PHOTOGRAPH
  • ARE YOU AN AUTHOR?
  • MY BLOG
  • Be A Part of the LIMITLESS Anthology
  • BOOK REVIEWS
    • BOOK REVIEWS
  • CONTACT & LINKS
  • AFFILIATE - Rachel McGrath
  • THAT'S LIFE
    • FOOD - PINOY STYLE
    • THE GREAT BEETROOT HUNT
    • GETTING AROUND THE METRO
  • PHILIPPINES
    • PLACES TO VISIT >
      • BORACAY
      • OCCIDENTAL MINDORO
  • SPORT
    • NEW ZEALAND SPORT
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GRANT LEISHMAN

The Witch With The Glitch by Adam Maxwell  

27/10/2015

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It's an awful long time since I read a children's book or perhaps this should be called a tweenie's book. I'm not sure of the exact target age of the book. Nevertheless, I want to say right off the bat that The Witch With The Glitch was a pleasant, fun and short read. 

There were some aspects of Maxwell's writing that I found particularly endearing. The first of these was the "breakout" from the story, where the author addresses the readers directly. This is almost like a narrator speaking directly to the camera, in a movie. I found this enjoyable and felt it worked well and would work well for the target audience. The other aspect of Maxwell story was his allusions to other stories and fairy tales, which were peppered throughout the tale. Some of these would no doubt go straight over the top of the young people's heads, but provided a nice "aha" moment for any adults who might be reading the story to their children or grandchildren. A nice touch Mr Maxwell. 

The whole idea of a mystery room in Uncle Bill's bookshop where the books come alive and suck the children into the story, is probably one that's been done before, but that doesn't make it any the less endearing. Our three heroes; Nina, Ivy and Oswald regularly rendezvous at the bookshop to undertake another journey literally into the literary world. In this particular iteration the three end up in a land that bears a more than passing resemblance to that of Hansel and Gretel. 

I enjoyed this book as a small distraction from my usual heavier fare of books. As a children's book The Witch With The Glitch certainly succeeds in telling a fun tale, with some interesting dialogue and arcs. All in all, a satisfying read and a good four star book. Well done! ​

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There Was No Body by Colin Griffiths

26/10/2015

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The is the third Griffith's book that I've read and the second in the Fenton Sagas. Frankly, they just get better and better, the more I read. I think I've commented before that Griffiths is a consummate story-teller and that he is. The quality and readability of his books improves with every one. There is still some way to go, but what I particularly like about this author is he has taken on board and corrected some earlier criticisms directed at his work. He is a work in progress, but the quality of his story-telling ability far outweighs any misguided perceptions of his style. 

His style really is unique and for me that's one of the more endearing features of reading a Griffith's book. Being unique does not make his books wrong, in fact it makes them VERY special. His characters are prone to do or say the most unexpected things at the most unexpected times. He sucks you into his stories and you simply are unable to extricate yourself from them, until you have read the final page. Even then, he manages to keep you wondering what will happen next? There is more to come in the Fenton Saga, of that I have no doubt and I look forward to reading more about this fascinating and strangely talented family. 

In this iteration of the sage, we find Madison, desperately believing that her brother Todd, whom she has only just met, is somehow still alive. As she keeps repeating to anyone who will listen: There Was No Body! We meet the evil, old patriarch of the family and follow his attempts to destroy his grandchildren, once and for all. 

This really is a cracking good tale and one that rollicks along at a fantastic pace. For lovers of the paranormal, this is an absolute MUST READ! 

I enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to the sequel, whenever Griffiths gets around to writing it. The Fenton's are a fascinating, fun and totally enthralling family. This book absolutely deserves the five stars that I'm thrilled to give it.          

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True Calling (True Calling #1) by Siobhan Davis

15/10/2015

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True Calling by Siobhan Davis is a young adult, science fiction novel; the first in a trilogy. 

As a story, although it is relatively predictable in places, it is extremely well written and in my opinion captures the feelings, actions and perspectives of the teenage characters very well. Yes, the story has probably been told in a million different ways before, but Davis' treatment of it is as good as anyone else's that I've read. 

The book focuses on two main characters; Ariana (Ari) and Zane, who were girlfriend and boyfriend prior to the devastation that occurred on Earth. Ariana's family were chosen to be part of a new society formed on the planet Novo, but Zane's heart condition rules him out of being considered for relocation. 

Although Ariana and the rest of their fellow colonists have had their memories wiped of their time on earth, Zane manages to maintain a mental telepathic link with Ariana and warn her of the potential dangers she is facing on Novo.

The book moves at a brisk pace told in part from Ariana's perspective and then from Zane's perspective. The burgeoning relationship between Ariana and Cal on Novo is the love interest that will keep readers interested and excited. 

This is an excellent read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. The book finished at the perfect point for the sequel to take up and the writer has teased us with Chapter 1 of the sequel, titled Beyond Reach. 

I would recommend this read for any young/adult readers who enjoy science fiction and more importantly teen romance and angst. A very pleasant read and worth of the four stars I give it.

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Malbed Mews by May J Panayi

11/10/2015

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I would start by saying Malbed Mews is without a doubt one of the very best novels (of any sort) that I have read. Horror is certainly not my preferred genre and yet this wonderful book dragged me in and kept me totally captivated from the first page to the last. 

I was actually disappointed when this book ended because I had become so involved with the characters, action and events surrounding Malbed Mews. The basic plot is I'm sure one that has been covered before, but Panayi has brought her own special touch and at times sardonic humour to this story. 

The plot revolves around a converted building that has been turned into a modern block of flats in London. As the first residents begin to take up residence in their shiny, new, modern homes, it is clear something is not as it should be. Our main character Guy does some research and discovers that the old building, much of which has been retained in the redevelopment was once a mental hospital. 

Between the spirits of the previously dead patients and the evil that lurks in the basement of this building there is non-stop action and excitement from the opening page. 

I absolutely loved this novel and would recommend it to anyone who likes horror and mystery.

​I will definitely be checking out more of this author's work. She is clearly talented. No questions here, this book rates a resounding 5 stars! Excellent work May J Panayi.    

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When I See Your Face by Devika Fernando 

6/10/2015

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​When I See Your Face by Devika Fernando is a relatively short, but very enjoyable romance, with an interesting twist that lifts it above your average romance stories. It is sweet and well-written - certainly a pleasant enough read. 

Our hero Cathy escapes an abusive marriage to a very successful real estate broker and runs for her freedom. To outsiders she has the perfect marriage, wealth, success and the handsome, successful husband Mark, but only she knows the pain and suffering she has had to endure at his hand during their marriage. 

Running away from the big city to a little village, she is determined to start her life again, without her husband's overbearing presence. The drama begins when she meets Michael, in the local supermarket - Michael is the spitting image of her abusive husband. Why does she feel so attracted to this man who looks so much like Mark? The ensuing drama lifts this book above your average romance. 

I enjoyed this book for what it was. Fernando's writing style is simple and relaxed - very easy to read. This is a fantastic book to while away a couple of hours on a wet afternoon. I would definitely recommend it. 

One real bonus with this kindle edition was a further work by Fernando titled Kaleidoscope of Hopes. I was pretty excited to have got two excellent stories for the price of one. I should have known better of course and once I was well and truly into the second book, I realised it was just a sample of the story - albeit a full 50% of the novel. I was enjoying the second story very much so it has probably done its job in tempting me to buy the book, so I can find out how it ends. 

A good, solid romance by a talented author. Highly recommend it and pleased to give it the full 5 star treatment. Well done Devika Fernando.

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Muse by K. French 

5/10/2015

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According to all standard and logical thinking, I did this all wrong, I read French's second book in the series; Desire, before I read her first book Muse. Big Mistake? Actually, no it wasn't. Desire was an excellent stand-alone novel that I enjoyed immensely, as you would see if you read my review of it. 

But, the question remained, could I enjoy Muse as well, given that I was already familiar with all the characters and knew what was going to happen to them in the later story. If I'm honest, I was doubtful myself whether I would enjoy Muse as much, but I needn't have worried at all. Muse was a fantastic read and I took great pleasure with reacquainting myself with many of the characters I'd grown to love in Desire. 

From the very first chapter I was drawn into young 17 year-old Ava's life. Robbed of her mother in a horrible car accident she is thrown into first a temporary foster home and then meets the father she has never known. Sent to live with her father's aunt, who she also has never met, much of the story revolved around the difficulties of coming to terms with a parent's death at such a young age and suddenly finding yourself all alone in life at 17. Of course, Ava wasn't all alone as she set out to build relationships with relatives who up to that point had been no more than her mother's memories. 

I'm not a chick-lit devotee, although I am a bit of an old, romantic and I loved this story of burgeoning romance between a young girl and her older, art teacher, who also had a skeleton or two in the closet. 

To put it simply, this is a wonderfully well written, sensitive portrayal of a female's rite of passage into the adult world. French has a wonderfully simple writing style that was easy to identify with. I am looking forward to more from this talented woman. A fantastic story, that fully deserves the five stars I gave it. Great job!

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Light and Shadows by Estela Vazquez Perez 

2/10/2015

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Light and Shadows is the second book of Perez's that I have had the absolute privilege and joy to read. I was trying desperately to think of a word that adequately sums up this author's use of the English language. Her style is so rich and full. After much thought I decided the word that most adequately describes this book's warmth and sheer joy in the written word, is lustrous. 

This book simply wraps you up in a warm blanket and takes you to a place where all things are perfect and wonderful. In her two books I've read Perez writes unashamedly about love and the perfection of love to overcome all obstacles. I am not necessarily a hopeless romantic, but when I read her work I feel those passionate feelings that she so lovingly imparts on a page. 

Light and Shadows is a modern day tale of two beautiful, young, actresses Teresa and Eloisa who are both courted and loved by two wealthy Mexican businessmen who are the epitome of style, sophistication and gentlemanliness. Sound formulaic? I guess in some respects it may be, but Perez's ability to infuse a specialness into the story that I have found from no other author is what lifts this and her other stories well above the standard romance. This is a beautiful, towering story of love and happiness. I was entranced by the four main characters from go to whoa. 

If anything, I felt the period setting was perhaps slightly amiss for the character's personalities. I could well picture all four of these characters living and loving in perhaps the 1920's, but this was set in modern day New York. That aside, it was a wonderful story, beautifully told. 

There is a minor issue with language that does bear a mention. I'm unsure if Perez is a natural English speaker, but she does sometimes betray the tendency of those for whom English is a second language to confuse tenses from time to time and to misuse commonly confused English usage words. There are also a number of minor typos within the story and it could probably use a quick, professional edit. 

I do want to make it clear, that those minor imperfections did in no way detract from my love of this book and my admiration for its author. Any other book with these imperfections would probably have only garnered four stars from me, but the beauty of the writing and the depth of the character descriptions plus the sheer pleasure I got from reading this book ensure that it got the full five star treatment from me. 

Estela Vasquez Perez, you are now right at the top of my favourite "indie" author reading list. I think your talent is abundant and I look forward to reading more and more of your work. 

An amazing story, incredibly well written. Great job!

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