All Categories - GRANT LEISHMAN

whistleblowers (kate Adams series: book 2) by Holly Bell

21/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

In Whistleblowers (Kate Adams Series: Book 2) by Holly Bell, we are drawn into the world of political intrigue and the intelligence organs of the U.S., Britain, and Russia, as Kate Adams, an independent contractor for American Intelligence abandons her comfortable University Professorship at an Alaskan University to throw herself back into the world of espionage and political assassinations. Kate, an expert in IT and coding, is still recovering from her last sojourn into the fray, when she was kidnapped and tortured. Suffering from flashbacks and nightmares, Kate has to put that all aside as she travels to the U.K. and Russia seeking a rogue programmer; The Executive, who is doing a “Julian Assange” and leaking vital intelligence secrets, as well as falsehoods, to the dark web, for all to see. Caught up in a maelstrom of politics and traitors, Kate must navigate this morass to solve the important issues: Who is leaking and how are they doing it?

This is the first Kate Bell book I have read and Whistleblowers (Kate Adams Series: Book 2) is an excellent and taut political thriller that presents us with a complicated and slightly damaged heroine who must battle her demons and memories to successfully complete her mission. Kate, as a character is wonderful and easy to identify and empathise with. She is an intelligent, savvy and attractive woman who, although damaged by her past experiences, is well capable of fulfilling her mission. The author is clearly well informed and well researched about current events, recent history and the intelligence mechanisms of the major players. I was impressed with the flow of the story and was able to read the entire book in one sitting. The author’s style is very readable and the action builds to several crescendos that present the reader with often surprising outcomes. If intrigue and political machinations are your forte, as a reader, Whistleblowers is definitely a book for you. This is a leading book in its genre and as a credit to the author, I am tempted to go back and read Kate Adams Book 1 in the series, just to find out more about this character’s motivations.

Please do pop on over to Amazon and check out Whistleblowers by Holly Bell.

the rainmaker (saga of the chosen book 2) by Petra landon

20/4/2018

Editorial Review for the Author Resource Centre
Prepared by Grant Leishman

The Rainmaker is the second book in the Saga of the Chosen, of a planned four book series that delves into the world of the Chosen, the hidden group amongst us who possess the ancient powers of magic. This is the third Petra Landon book I’ve been fortunate enough to read and every one improves on the last. This truly is the best part of being a reviewer; watching indie authors find their niche, whilst growing and developing, as writers, within it.

Rainmaker, first and foremost, is a continuation of the story unveiled in the first book; The Prophecy. Unbeknownst to us mere mortals, magic beings live amongst us, their one guiding dictate is to never do anything that may reveal their existence to humanity. All Chosen are not created equal, though, with there being four distinct and separate groups who avoid each other like the plague. The Shifters (or as we probably think of them – the werewolves) comprise a group that live rigidly dictated lives, where fealty to the Clan Leader and loyalty to their pack is paramount above all else. The Wizards are a disparate group, split by politics, personal ambition, and greed. The Originals, who see themselves as above all, have very little interest in, or concern for, the other Chosen. Finally, we have the lowest and most scorned of the Chosen – the Vampires, who are generally reviled by all.

A prophecy made by a powerful wizard/mage some twenty-five years ago is beginning to come to fruition, with the re-emergence of a woman, long thought dead; Lady Bethesda. Her desire to unite her three daughters, from three different fathers, to claim power over the Chosen world, has thrown the most unlikely of allies together in a desperate attempt to stop the prophecy from coming true. Were-Alpha Protector, Raoul Merceau, gathers around him a collection of Wizards, Originals, Shifters, and even the odd Vampire, to try to expose Lady Bethesda’s evil plan for what it is and to stop her. The key to the whole drama, however, may lie with an unassuming, young Level 2 Wizard, Tasia Armstrong who holds some deep and powerful secrets very close to her chest.

To say that Petra Landon has created an amazing array of multi-faceted and fascinating characters is an understatement. Despite the characters all being “otherworldly” to some extent, they are incredibly believable and identifiable. The character development is superb. The stars of this story are undoubtedly Tasia Armstrong, Were-Alpha Protector Raoul Merceau, and, for me, typically English Were-Alpha, Duncan Hawthorne. However, the supporting characters; Hawk, Sienna, Jason, Franciszka, et al, are equally well developed and interesting. The sexual tension between Raoul and Tasia is electric and although hinted at in The Prophecy, it now becomes a full-blown reality in The Rainmaker. Will they… won’t they, is a question I couldn’t stop wondering throughout the length of this book. This story is so much more than a fantasy adventure; it is a beautifully put together story about life, choices, morality, loyalty, and decisions, set in a fantasy world.

The Rainmaker perfectly fulfils the bill as an Epic Fantasy. It is long, for sure, at 657 pages, but those pages just fly by as you are transported into a world that is familiar, yet so very different to the world we know. Set principally in San Francisco, The Rainmaker will draw you in and not let you go. This book is definitely one of my reading highlights for this year and an early contender for the Annual Grunter Awards.

I can give no greater accolade to Landon than to say I was devastated when the story ended and I wait with baited breath for the third instalment of this amazing series; The Siren. Get writing Ms Landon… please! What a winner The Rainmaker is.

Absolutely do pop on over to Amazon and take a look at The Rainmaker along with Petra Landon's other two superb books. They are all fantastic - I know, I've read them all.

a girl named cricket by peter j. manos

16/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Cricket and her family, escape their dying planet, to travel across the cosmos, seeking a new place to live. Eventually they crash land in the Mojave Desert of California and near the tiny desert community of Prickly Pear. During the many millennia of their epic journey through interstellar space they have been in suspended animation and their bodies have been transformed from their Lizard-like originals to human form. Cricket, is a typical teenage girl – angry and rebellious about the subterfuge her parents used to trick her into leaving their home, she is determined not to fit into the small community of Prickly Pear. In A Girl Named Cricket, by Peter J Manos we see the Sminth family slowly warm their way into the hearts and minds of the Prickly Pear residents, despite the almost unanimous opinion that these newcomers are probably Russian spies come to spy on nearby Andrews Air Force Base. Throw in a renegade bikie gang terrorizing the small town and we have the makings of an exciting Young Adult adventure.

Approaching A Girl Named Cricket, by Peter J Manos, from the perspective of his intended audience, i.e. young adults, this story is a lot of fun and told with considerable humour, irony and a touch of pathos. I particularly enjoyed the characters, who were typical of the inhabitants of any small town, where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Both Tom and Cricket came across as troubled characters who were just seeking their identity in a world neither felt comfortable with, although for very different reasons. This is a fun story that also manages to poke the borax at some of the current day happenings, which it does with gentle humour. The constant reference to “aliens” as referred specifically to undocumented Mexican workers was a clever construct by the author. I think this book really does hit the mark for its young adult audience. It has romance, action, and that innate fear of authority that often can drive rebelliousness in teenagers. It is an excellent read that I highly recommend.

You can find A Girl Named Cricket by Peter J. Manos, here on Amazon:

pivot point: true time book #1 by tess manchester

11/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Just imagine, for a second, how useful it would be if we were able to get “mulligans” in real life. What if something went horribly wrong and we were able to pop back in time to have another go at getting it right this time? How useful would that be? This is exactly the premise that forms the basis of Tess Manchester’s debut novel, Pivot Point: True Time Book 1. U.S. Marshall Blake Parsons is noted for two things – her fiery temper and her uncanny ability to capture the bad guy and bring him in. Her temper has got her into more than her share of trouble with her bosses in the past, but with a record like hers, laxity was always going to be the byword. She was driven and successful, but when chasing a fugitive leads her to a small rural community in Tennessee and she meets the lovely Doctor Naomi, her outlook and her priorities change. The attraction is instant, but it must all wait for Blake Parsons to capture the man on the run, who she chases relentlessly.

For a debut novel, I found Pivot Point: True Time Book 1 to be a more than respectable effort. Tess Manchester’s two main characters are strong, independent women, in Blake and Naomi, who the author manages to show they are more than just bluster and anger, on Blake’s part and brains and beauty on Naomi’s part. She does well to show the vulnerability that lurks underneath Blake’s bluster and anger. I did enjoy the idea of going back and getting a “do-over” when things didn’t quite go as planned. The story flowed seamlessly and the action was fast and furious, with little held back in the way of realism. The possibility that this story is just the beginning of a series featuring this premise and/or these characters is intriguing and I look forward to what Manchester has to offer us next. As a thriller, with a time-twist, this debut was successful and I am certain the author will grow into her skin, as a writer, the more she gives us. This is a successful start to her literary career.

Pop on over to Amazon and take a look at Pivot Point by Tess Manchester:

follow your bliss: how to start living the life of your dreams by angela cecilia

8/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Follow Your Bliss: How to Start Living the Life of Your Dreams by Angela Cecilia is a self-help book that, follows the precepts of the Law of Attraction as espoused in The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and the plethora of books that have emerged since Byrne first took the world by storm back in 2006. The title itself was alluded to by Joseph Campbell when he stated (paraphrased): “If you follow your bliss, doors will open.” Cecilia has covered, in this book, many of the limiting factors that preclude us, as human beings from achieving happiness. Some of the areas she specifically looks at include: Learning to Love Yourself, Blame, Gratitude, Dreams, Forgiveness, Leadership, plus many more. As the title indicates, Cecilia shows, through reference to her own personal struggles, how following your bliss is the most certain way to achieving the life you were meant for and intended for. She lays out a clear path that readers can follow to emulate the success that took her thirty something years to achieve.

When I first picked up Follow Your Bliss: How to Start Living the Life of Your Dreams, my immediate reaction was; “here we go again, another Law of Attraction ride on Rhonda Byrne’s coat-tails”. I am pleased to say I was pleasantly surprised by the no-nonsense, practical approach to discovering your true potential, presented by author Angela Cecilia. By using her own life, fraught as it was with loathing and self-hate, as an example of what to do and what to change, she made the learning process highly personal and deeply resonant with me. To answer one of the fears she had raised when writing the book. “Yes, this material has all been covered by others hundreds of times, but yes, you did find something new, something real and something touching to me, personally and I’m sure other readers will find exactly the same thing.” Two quotes the author used in the book struck right to my heart. 1/ If you strive for conformity, everyone else will love you, except yourself. And 2/ We are spiritual beings undertaking a human experience, not the other way around. This book is full of insightful and practical advice and I can definitely recommend it to someone seeking solutions to their own unhappiness.

You can pop on over to Amazon, if you wish, and take a look at Follow Your Bliss: How to Start Living the Life of your Dreams by Angela Cecilia

the whispered tales of graves grove by a selection of authors

8/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Whispered Tales of Graves Grove is an anthology of dark and scary short –stories with a difference. When the creators of this anthology called for submissions, they stipulated that all stories must revolve around the mythical town of Graves Grove, a small town in the wilds of British Columbia, Canada. The town was unique in many ways, in that it appeared to be a nexus or a meeting place for all sorts of paranormal activity, be it vampires, fairies, shape-shifters, ghosts and demons. The town itself has a collection of odd-ball and off-beat characters, but nothing defines Graves Grove as much as 1/ The bronze statue of the town’s founder (which somehow seems to changes its clothes on a daily basis. 2/ A giant sycamore tree that dominates the town park and is the centre of many of the rumours and stories about Graves Grove and 3/ A history of missing children, on a regular basis spanning over a hundred years. All this makes for an intriguing set of stories from a number of authors, including: J.S. Bailey, E.D.E. Bell, Mark Andersen, Matthew Howe, Travis Perry and Dakota Caldwell, plus many more.

The concept of writing a series of short-stories, across time, centred on one small town is an interesting one and one that did work. With many of the principal, weird characters and situations already set in place by the editors, it allowed the authors free license to stretch their imaginations and indeed that is exactly what they did. The Sycamore Tree, which dominated the premise was a central theme in almost all the stories, with the authors coming up with many and varied ideas as to what the tree was capable of, what it harboured beneath its roots and what weird and wonderful creatures actually lived or inhabited the tree. I found the variety of the writing to be especially refreshing and, in actual fact many similar themes appeared in different stories from different authors. As with any anthology, some stories stuck in my mind and resonated more with me, than others. Three particular favourites of mine were: Where’s Matheson Lam by S.R. Betler, Fairy Troubled by Catherine Bonham and Magick by D. M. Kilgore. If you want something different in a short story anthology, then The Whispered Tales of Graves Grove may well be right up your alley.

You can pop on over to Amazon and check out The Whispered Tales of Graves Grove, here:

the remains in the pond by ann swann

5/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The night Gabrielle Kelly attended her High-School Prom would change her life forever. Gabi went to prom with her (closet gay) friend, Asa, but it was the encounter with her adorable crush, Matt Brennan that would alter the course of many lives in the small town of Live Oak, Texas. In The Remains in the Pond, Ann Swann brings us a coming-of-age, mystery/thriller that takes us on a journey from Texas, to California, to Berne, Switzerland and back again. The chemistry between Gabi and Matt, on Prom night was undeniable and they appeared to be set for an interesting and torrid two weeks of romance, before Matt was due to head off to college. All that would change, however, when a horrific motor vehicle accident and a mysterious phone call from Matt’s cousin, Rose sends Gabi and her friend Asa into a tailspin.

In The Remains in the Pond, author Ann Swann brings us a story reminiscent of “We Know What You Did Last Summer”. The characters in this story are typical teenagers, trying to find their way in a world they’re not sure they fully understand yet. The character of Asa, a gay boy growing up in a small, rural, West Texas town and the angst he felt about revealing his sexuality, was particularly poignant. I liked that Gabi, no matter how hard she tries, cannot walk away from and forget what happened that Prom night. The author reminds us, through this story that all our actions have consequences and it is the “adult way”, to take responsibility for those actions. As a coming of age novel, with a few twists and turns, I found this story a very satisfactory read.

Definitely pop on over to Amazon and take a look at The Remains in the Pond plus all of Ann Swann's extensive works.

path to old talbot by jordan elizabeth

5/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

For thirteen-year-old Charity, her life, it seems, is defined by her father’s illness, a man who suffers from clinical depression. Charity’s mother, Isadora and Charity, both love her father deeply, but they also understand they cannot make the changes in his life that he needs to make. In desperation, the pair move out from the family home and into an old mansion, that has seen better days. In Path to Old Talbot, by Jordan Elizabeth we find a coming-of-age story with hidden depths. Charity and Isadora discover, to their excitement and fear, within an old cupboard in the house, a portal to the past. The door opens up to their town of Talbot, but in the late 1800’s. Fascinated by their discovery and finding it an escape from the problems of her father, Charity embraces the old Talbot and quickly makes herself at home in the era, making a number of friends. When she realises that she may have the potential to alter the past and save her friends from a terrible fate, the problems begin.

Written from the perspective of thirteen-year-old Charity, Path to Old Talbot is a sweet, heart-warming tale, with serious undertones. Author Jordan Elizabeth has used the character of Charity’s father to demonstrate the debilitating effects of clinical depression, not just on the sufferer, but also on his or her family. The relationships within this story are what lifts it above your average coming-of-age novel. Charity has a natural impetuosity and a desire to help those she meets in the past, but she is also wise beyond her years, when it comes to the issue of mental illness and particularly depression. Written in a young teenager’s vernacular, the tale is easy to read and full of little twists and turns, that I enjoyed, especially when the author attempted to address that age-old issue of the time-travel paradox. If Charity made changes in the past, how would that affect the future? This was a most enjoyable read and a young adult book I can highly recommend.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out Path to Old Talbot, as well as the very extensive portfolio of Author Jordan Elizabeth

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling (Orville Wellington Mouse #5) by tom hoffman

1/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Tom Hoffman takes the reader into his wonderful fantasy world of Orville Mouse in his series of Orville Wellington Mouse Adventures, the latest of which is Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling. Orville Mouse, his best friend (and maybe girlfriend?) Sophia Mouse embark on another adventure through space and time, on this occasion, with his faithful companion Proto and the assistance of a rather unusual tree, we come to know as the Sagacious Sapling. There is trouble afoot in Muridaan Falls, when Orville and Sophie begin to experience some time flips, which they soon discover are the precursor to a massive time shift about to hit them resulting from an enormous explosion some hundreds of thousands of years ago. Somehow, the intrepid band of metaphysical adventurers must travel back in time to the prehistoric, jungle world of Ferus and prevent the explosion from ever occurring and releasing the Great Thaumatarian Time Wave, before it reaches their world and plunges them back into the past, some five thousand years.

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling is my first foray into the work of Tom Hoffman and indeed his fantasy world of Orville Mouse. This book is the fifth adventure involving these characters and although it is not necessary to have read the previous books, it is always an advantage, I feel, to read a series in order. As a reader, once you get your head around the idea that this story is a fantasy adventure and indeed the two main characters are actually mice, the characters, their foibles and traits very definitely do grow on you. Orville and Sophia are truly sweet and adorable characters, but much of the humour and enjoyment I derived from the story came from the two offbeat characters, Proto (a robot of sorts) and of course, Leaf, the sagacious sapling. I loved the way they analysed Orville’s jokes and tried to replicate the humour themselves. The idea of logical thinking, programmed, machines beginning to adapt and understand humour while not novel was definitely intriguing. Hoffman has probably targeted the Orville Wellington Mouse sagas at the Young Adult market, but to be perfectly honest, I would suggest there is nothing in this book that would preclude it from being read at a younger age and also by older readers. It is a good, old-fashioned, swashbuckling adventure tale, whose two protagonists just happen to be a couple of mice. It was an excellent read and I would definitely recommend it.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check this very good book out, plus take a look at Tom Hoffman's full collection:

the king slayer's sacrifice by robert k. hatch

1/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The King Slayer’s Sacrifice by Robert K. Hatch is a deep dive into the mind and motivation of a serial killer, but not just any serial killer – no, this is a serial killer who will haunt the FBI and law enforcement, for a long time, as he seeks to rid the world of those he considers responsible for mass suffering and death amongst the general population; politicians, successful and ruthless businessmen and bankers who prey on the vulnerable in society. Ryuu Kimura, it seemed, was a young man who had it all; musically gifted, with loving and nurturing parents, and a girlfriend he loved and adored who loved him back, just as much. Ryuu was set to make a name for himself, in this world, but perhaps not quite in the way everyone expected. Ryuu’s world comes crashing down around him, when first his parents and then his friends are caught by the financial crisis of 2008 and he witnesses first-hand the uncaring and callous treatment of ordinary people by the bankers, the politicians and the landlords. It is, however, when his best friend, Daniel, a computer whizz-kid becomes involved in hacking into sensitive sites and suddenly finds himself, his family and anyone associated with him, disappearing or murdered, that Ryuu gets caught up in the most dangerous game of all – trying to survive. Ryuu’s response to the death and misery that surrounds him is to disappear, reinvent himself, and come back as an avenging angel to wreak havoc on the lives of people he considers to have been the evil ones and to have brought so much misery to the world.

This book is a glimpse into the motivation of a serial killer, from the personal perspective of the man himself. I found the premise and the motivation that set Ryuu off on his path of destruction to be somewhat stretching the bounds of belief, but the book did raise and ask some very pertinent questions about life, death and the morality of violence versus non-violence as a form of protest against social conditions and who has the right to play God. I particularly liked the single-minded determination of Ryuu to carry out his plan regardless of the difficulties and problems placed in his way. He was prepared to sacrifice everything and everyone he loved in order to seek “justice” for all of those he had lost. This whole idea of some sort of “avenging angel” to stand up for the weak and the powerless is somewhat analogous to the idea of “super-heroes” fighting for truth, justice and the American Way. The King Slayer’s Sacrifice shows us that incredibly fine line that exists between good and evil and how easy it can be to flip the unflippable from hard-working, law abiding citizen into an avenger for justice who takes the law into his own hands. Robert K. Hatch, with this hero (anti-hero) poses and to some extent answers the question, what is the greater good? And does the end justify the means? Probably the most substantive part of the story and the message comes from the one meeting between Ryuu and a young, social crusader priest, Father Jacob as they discuss their different methods of seeking social justice. A good thought-provoking read.

Pop on over to Amazon and take a look at the King Slayer's Sacrifice by Robert K. Hatch

wonders will never cease by judi moore

1/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Dr Fergus Girvan is your archetypal British university professor; learned, scholarly, loves the young girls and his many bottles of good plonk. In Wonders Will Never Cease by Judi Moore we meet Fergus, who is suffering a bit of a mid to late life crisis as he realizes his chances of finally gaining a “chair” at Ariel University, may be fading. The young women he surrounds himself with, have suddenly become less interesting and decidedly duller, although still wonderful for his ego and libido. His new found relationship with his high-school aged daughter is tested when he discovers that Andy has fallen in love with a middle-aged lothario who bears no small resemblance, in both morals and motivation, to Fergus himself. Suddenly Fergus finds himself having to ally with Mary, his daughter’s mother and a woman he tries to avoid like the plague, to try to save their beloved daughter from the letch’s grasp. Throw in a supporting cast of characters that could have come out of any British sitcom and you have the makings of a funny, quirky and typically British story. Fergus bumbles his way through the situations that present themselves, as he begins to realize what is actually important in his life and what he should be focusing on.

I’ve always been a big fan of good British humour, the darker the better and Judi Moore has brought us a story, in Wonders Will Never Cease that absolutely fits that mould. When I was reading the book, and especially the wonderful, bumbling, but earnest portrayal of Fergus, I couldn’t help but think of those many wonderful sitcoms produced by the British (Black Books comes to mind here), with their self-deprecating humour and the stuffy, class-ridden characters that inhabit them. I felt Moore perfectly portrayed the sometime senseless and rarefied, ivory-tower atmosphere that is academia, the world over, but more especially so in the British system. I particularly enjoyed the age-old debate of the importance of the classics and humanities, in the University system, as opposed to Science and Business, something that was such a hot topic in the Thatcher Britain that this book is set. Comedy and humour is hard to write and good comedy, when discovered should be cherished and held up for all to see. Moore clearly has her finger on the pulse of what is comedy and this book certainly encourages me, as a reader, to seek out more of this author’s work.

You can take a look at Wonders Will Never Cease, plus the rest of Judi Moore's work, here on Amazon:

chaco by peggy a. wheeler

1/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Our planet is constantly at risk of bombardment from outer space. In Chaco by Peggy A. Wheeler that scenario horrifyingly comes to life when a massive solar flare sends out electro-magnetic pulses that render all technology on earth useless. Anything that relies on computer technology is essentially gone and people must now learn to survive in the harshest of ways. In the wealthy suburb of Green Lake, Southern California, Chaco Rodriquez worked as a gardener, cum handyman for the rich Walker family. Chaco was, however, much more than he seemed on the surface. An illegal immigrant to the United States, Chaco was a PHD graduate in physics from El Salvador, who had fought for the revolutionaries in the Salvadoran civil war and then fled to the US when he became the most wanted man in El Salvador. When the solar storm strikes earth, all hell quickly breaks loose as civilization and the civil society quickly deteriorate and it becomes every man and woman for themselves – a real battle for survival. Chaco will attempt to lead the Walkers, their son Jude, his wife and their two children, along with the Walker’s next-door neighbors, the Pennymoons, eight hundred miles through the most difficult terrain to a self-sufficient community where the Walker’s daughter Fiona lives. It will be a journey of horror and hardship, like no other, as the loose band of friends seek to survive the harsh Northern California winter and the violence of their fellow man.

The premise of Chaco by Peggy A. Wheeler, that of a massive solar storm rendering earth’s technology effectively useless is one that is a genuine and real threat to our civilization. This made this dystopian story even more poignant and pressing than may otherwise have been the case. I did feel some of the characters were overdrawn a little, almost to the point of becoming caricatures. That was certainly the case with the Pennymoons, with the husband Rocky and his red-necked, racist attitudes towards Chaco and his wife Margo, with her down-on-the-farm, Texas drawl and dirt-poor self-sufficiency skills. That having been said, it was hard not to like Rocky, the man who would shoot his mouth off at a moment’s notice, but truly had a heart of gold. I particularly liked the character of Jude (the Walker’s son), who allowed the author to have a frank and knowledgeable discussion about the problems of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) among US veterans. The character was deeply troubled and symptomatic of so many returning veterans in society who struggle to deal with the horrors they have witnessed. This is not a read for the faint of heart. There is significant, graphic violence as well as death and heartbreak, but equally there is a real triumph of the indomitable human spirit and the will to survive. This is a good, solid dystopian read.

You can take a look at Chaco, as well as Peggy A. Wheeler's considerable portfolio of work, here on Amazon:

rock candy mountain: a memoir by earl davis

26/3/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Rock Candy Mountain, by Earl Davis is a quite different type of memoir in that it focuses on just a short period of the author’s life, up until the age of fourteen, with most of the story revolving around a two-year period when he was thirteen. Born in the backblocks of Kentucky, Earl Davis just wanted to experience the world and at the age of thirteen, in the early 1900’s, he headed off from his shanty home, leaving behind an alcoholic, but hardworking, father and a loving mother to see what was beyond the mountains of his Kentucky home. Using the time-honoured method of the day, jumping freight trains and blinding passenger trains, Earl managed to crisscross the United States, and even briefly made it into Canada, finally ending up in Texas, lured by dreams of being a cowboy. Along the way, Earl grew up very quickly and realised the harshness of life, as well as the incredible kindness and heart of many people.

This book gives us a fascinating insight into life at the turn of the last century, in a dirt-poor State, like Kentucky. The authors descriptions of the beauty of his home state and especially his home town, with its freezing winters and its stifling summers, was a simple joy to read. Seeing all of this, through the eyes of a young boy and watching him develop, grow and learn many of life’s hard lessons, is what lifts Rock Candy Mountain above most memoirs I have read. Earl Davis invites us into his own private world and we are privy to the thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams of a often scared and lonely, but always game, young man. I found the style of this telling refreshingly simple and a joy to read. The highlight, for me, was the realisation that even in the depths of poverty; many ordinary people would go out of their way to help this young waif. Earl learnt many important lessons on life in this two year sojourn that would undoubtedly set him up for his future life. I can highly recommend this read. It is a deeply personal and touching insight into a time and ways, long forgotten.

Pop on over to Amazon and take a look at Rock Candy Mountain. It is well worth a perusal.

the beekeeper's secret (Max Ford Thriller) by sally fernandez

23/3/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

When a U.S. Senator is found dead in his hotel room in Brazil, Max Ford, a former CIA operative, turned private detective takes notice, not the least because Senator Jeffrey Lance was her friend, but his wife, Allison, was also Maxine’s best friend. Before long Max finds herself up to her neck in deaths, conspiracies and even the “deep state”. With her many connections, within the Government, Maxine Ford has access that most private detectives would die for, but she also knows from past experience that when she starts rocking the boat at this level, people get agitated and that is not good for her health. Sally Fernandez, in the Beekeeper’s Secret (Max Ford Thrillers), brings us a chillingly realistic tale of natural medicine and honey bees versus Big Pharma and the trillions of dollars that are at stake in the battle to “discover” a cure for that most pernicious of diseases – cancer.

If you love conspiracy theories, especially ones that involve the very highest echelons of the US Government, you’ll adore Sally Fernandez’s, The Beekeepers Secret (Max Ford Thrillers). This story is only one of the Max Ford thrillers this author has penned and although the story stands alone as a readable thriller, there is a connection to earlier tales and having read those would be a definite advantage. Fernandez writes with clarity and with clearly well-done research, as she fleshes out a story that has scientific undertones. Her ability to clearly elucidate scientific research to her readers is definitely a winning hallmark of this author’s style. The plot twists and turns, with surprising regularity as the story races to its final conclusion, yet still leaving the door open for the next book in the Max Ford story. I enjoyed the read and would definitely put this author high on my list of excellent thriller writers.

You can take a look at The Beekeeper's Secret, plus all of Sally Fernandez's extensive profile, here on her Amazon page:

survivaL ON mystery mesa (eagle mountain adventures book 1) by george goldthwaite

21/3/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

When thirteen-year-old friends, Alex and Josh are stranded on a desolate mountain mesa, with Josh’s eight-year-old brother Mickey and Alex’s seriously injured pilot father, following a plane crash, the young people’s survival skills and maturity is severely put to the test. Where they have crashed, in the middle of winter, just one day prior to Christmas, is a lonely, desolate, freezing cold and dangerous place. Not only do the young ones have to figure out how to find food and water, they also have to build a fire to keep warm and to care for Alex’s veterinarian father, who is slipping in and out of consciousness. To add to their travails, throw in a hungry puma and a mysterious, ghost-like remnant of the past inhabitants of this corner of New Mexico, the long disappeared, indigenous Anasazi tribe, and you have the makings of an excellent adventure, full of danger and excitement. This is what author George Goldthwaite has presented his readers with, in Survival on Mystery Mesa: Eagle Mountain Adventures (Book 1).

The number one thing I loved about this story was that although it was written with the target audience of middle-school children, the writing and the story are just as enjoyable for a reader, like me, who is about as far away from middle-school age as one can get. The three youngsters who are the heroes of this story are compelling, believable and totally normal kids that one would meet every day. They possess nothing particularly special, but George Goldthwaite shows through them, that when placed under extreme pressure, even the most average of us is able to rise to the occasion and perform above and beyond what we may have expected of ourselves. As I said, I thoroughly enjoyed the read and the perils the young people faced and attempted to overcome. Especially poignant for me was the way they handled the aftermath of their adventure, when faced somewhat with scepticism and condescension. Survival on Mystery Mesa: Eagle Mountain Adventures (Book 1) is a wonderful story for middle-school children to read, but applicable to all ages and readers who enjoy a good, clean adventure. As the first book in a series, I say, bring on the next one.

You can take a look at Survival on Mystery Mesa, here on Amazon:

a motherland's daughter, a fatherland's son by ellie midwood

20/3/2018

If you read my reviews, you will know what an enormous fan I am of Ellie Midwood's novels set during the second world war. Her latest release; A Motherland's Daughter, A Fatherland's Son has done absolutely nothing to dampen my love and enthusiasm for this immensely talented author. In my humble opinion this is Midwood's finest work to date and she just gets better and better with every story she pens.

Set, initially, at the start of World War II, when Germany and the USSR were allies, we meet Kira, a Russian military interpreter and Werner, a young, German soldier who meet in Poland, whilst their superiors are discussing the things allies discuss at the time of war. Kira and Werner fall completely and hopelessly in love, with the ultimate plan being for Kira to defect to Germany and the pair to marry. Herr Hitler, however, has other ideas and when Germany reneges on it's mutual non-aggression treaty with the Soviet Union and invades their territory, the two lovers find themselves facing each other on the battlefield. How can their love possibly survive the horrors both will experience, as atrocities are committed by both sides, on their enemies? Is there a way out for these two lovers, or was their future doomed when the first Panzer division rolled into Soviet territory?

In many ways, this story reads like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet; the two lovers destined to never be together. As each chapter alternates between Kira and Werner, the reader is drawn into deep sympathy for these characters, as they try to make sense of the horror that their daily lives have devolved into. As a reader, I can honestly say, by the end of the book I alternated between hope and despair for this angst-ridden pair, as they both tried desperately to keep the warmth of their love alive despite the horror.

This is a tough book to read, partly because Midwood is so accurate in her depictions of the true horrors of this war. She does not hide from the raw senselessness and violence that saw one quarter of the population of the Soviet Union wiped from the face of the earth, in the bloodiest conflict in human history. She doesn't gloss over it - and neither should she. This was a horrific war that, at times, portrayed the very worst of the human condition, but... and it's a big BUT, this war was also capable of showing great human kindness, understanding and love and Midwood displays this beautifully and with great tenderness. I think the author summed it up perfectly when she talked about how individual soldiers from both sides, quickly found common ground when they were forced into a position of cohabitation, as they were in the Russian medical centre. German and Russian wounded rapidly realised they had much more in common, that drew them together, than that which pulled them apart. It is this insightful writing by Midwood, that lifts this book FAR above your average war story.

As I said earlier, I believe this book is Ellie Midwood's most powerful and most enjoyable book to date. I can only wait, with bated breath, for the next missive from this ultra-talented author's pen. A Motherland's Daughter, A Fatherland's Son is an absolute triumph and a must read for all fans of the genre and all readers everywhere. Bravo, Ellie Midwood!

Absolutely do pop on over to Ellie Midwood's Amazon page, where you can take a look at; A Motherland's Daughter, A Fatherland's Son, or indeed any of Midwood's incredible portfolio of books. I guarantee if you chose any book from her selection, you would not be disappointed.

honor kills: an angelina bonaparte mystery by nanci rathbun

18/3/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Angelina Bonaparte (pronounced Bon-ar-par-tay) is a female private detective working out of Milwaukee. Six years ago Marcy Wagner hired her to find out what happened to her school teacher husband, who just disappeared from her life and that of their three children, cleaning out the bank accounts and vanishing. In Honor Kills, by Nancy Rathbun, we find Angie stumbling across a clue that leads her back onto the trail of this long cold case, which Angie’s professional sensibilities have never allowed her to let go. Hank Wagner was the one missing person case she had never solved and she was determined to get to the bottom of this, even if it meant involvement with the Mafia and her father’s acknowledged, but never discussed, ties to the mob. Angie, her new intern Bobbie and friends embark on a dangerous journey to hunt down the elusive Mr Wagner.

This story, Honor Kills, by Nancy Rathbun is a continuation of a series centred on the cases of Angie Bonaparte. Although I have not read the previous stories, it is clear each case is a stand-alone read and I have to say, I found Honor Kills an extremely satisfying read. It ticks all the boxes of a good detective mystery and the lead character Angie is extremely easy to empathise with. It’s not often to you come across a middle-aged, PI hero, who is also female. The plot was intricate and full of twists and turns as befits such a mystery story. I particularly enjoyed the supporting cast; her gay intern Bobbie and her tech genius Spider. The author had clearly done her research and the storyline was both credible and enjoyable. The relationship betaween Angie and her Father, the retired Mafia capo, was fascinating and confirmed the stereotype of two different Mafia bosses, one at home and one at work. Having read Honor Kills, I am motivated to read the other books in Rathbun’s series, which is probably as high a praise as a reviewer can give an author.

Honor Kills has yet to be released, however, you should pop on over to Amazon and check out Nanci Rathbun's portfolio of work, including earlier Angelina Bonaparte mysteries.

love buries a spring bird by charles forgrave

15/3/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Love Buries a Spring Bird, by Charles Forgrave takes us back to our youth, when romance and our burgeoning sexuality was something we contemplated endlessly. Set in the gorgeous upper reaches of Michigan, on the shores of Lake Superior, Cortney, who lives in the ex-fishing village and lumber town, meets up with Jackie, from the nearby city of Soo, who is staying at the lake for two weeks with her family and her best friend Ellie. Cortney and Jackie hit it off immediately and spend the rest of the holiday in each other’s company, exploring and hiking the many trails around the village as well as visiting Cortney’s special place on an island in the middle of Lake Superior. When it becomes time for Jackie and her family to return home, reality bites for the love struck pair and so begins a regular commute for Cortney as he tries to keep the relationship alive once the summer excitement has worn off.

There is much to like about this story. We’ve probably all experienced that summer romance, when we were absolutely certain of our feelings and certain of our love for our new partner, only to discover when summer ends and the day-to-day grind of live intrudes, it is much harder to keep the relationship alive. Charles Forgrave’s descriptions in, Love Buries a Spring Bird, of the beauty of the area that is known as the Upper Peninsular of Michigan, does much to endear the story to the reader. The writing style is different to any I have experienced before and may be too simplistic and repetitive for some readers, but there is a certain syncopation to the author’s lines that lifts it above prose, almost into the realm of poetry. Although the author did give his character of Cortney, the opportunity to think and ponder on bigger questions than just making love to Jackie, the character of Jackie, I felt was a little wooden and mono-syllabic. I found the few sexual scenes in the book to be almost “teenage boy jokey” and if that was what the author was aiming for (his potential Y/A audience), then he definitely hit his mark. This was a pleasant enough coming of age/teenage romance and worth a look.

the mercenary (the war chronicles #1) by petra Landon

14/3/2018

Reviewed for Author Resource Centre by Grant Leishman

The Mercenary, by Petra Landon is the first book in a planned series based around the characters we find in this story and their adventures through space, as they fight for the freedom of their people and the Alliance. As a standalone novel it is a success and as an introduction to a different world, with many weird and wonderful races, it is equally a huge success.

Saakshi, the main character in this story is a former Budeyan rebel, who had been imprisoned by the occupying, Ketaari Imperial Forces. When her prison contract is sold to Pik, a trader on a distant space station, she finds herself waiting tables at his bar and as always, scrabbling to survive and keep her dignity intact. The Budeyan people, although now subjugated by the Ketaari, were once a proud, technologically advanced, race, who were deeply respected throughout the Universe. When a handsome, Hadari’Kor Mercenary starts frequenting Saakshi’s bar and showing an obvious interest in her, Saakshi’s life will change forever.

Zoran, the Hadar’Kor Mercenary and Saakshi’s saviour from Ketaari harassment on the Space Station will forever change her life and so begins a complicated and at times, fraught relationship between two separate races across the Universe. It is this relationship and Zoran’s intense feelings for Saakshi, plus the enmity between the Ketaari Empire and much of the rest of the galaxy that provides the excitement, conflict, drama and passion of this story.

Landon has done a superb job of drawing her two main characters. Saakshi is a fierce and strong young woman who through circumstances is forced to seek help from a stronger, more powerful male, in Zoran. She doesn’t quite know how to handle Zoran’s intensity and his total commitment to the people he loves. She dares to dream of a different future, but is always saddled by the pain and angst she had already suffered at the hands of the Ketaari. Although the two characters are extremes in many ways, Landon gives their story a realism and induces the reader to openly root for the pair.

The book is an incredibly easy read and the writing flows beautifully. I am not generally a science fiction buff, but for me, this was more than science fiction – it was true romance that just happened to be set in space. I was impressed with Landon’s ability to write the steamy, sex scenes that, although infrequent, were definitely a highlight of the read. The idea of two separate beings, from different worlds, mating and experiencing the joys of sex was part of the attraction. But the emotional, romantic, connection, as well as the potential for misunderstanding and confusion, between the two parties, I felt was fully portrayed by the author. The scenes themselves were hot, exciting and very realistic, giving the author full poetic license to depart, albeit briefly, from the standard, space battle scenes of many science fiction stories.

This isn’t the first book of Petra Landon’s that I’ve read and I can guarantee it will not be the last. As a reader I like Science Fiction that is not too heavy on technological wizardry, but more focused on character building and relationships. The Mercenary fulfils this brief perfectly for me and as the set-up for a series of books it couldn’t be a better start. Five big stars from this reviewer.

Do pop on over to Petra Landon's Amazon page and check out The Mercenary, as well as her other works. It is well worth your while to check this author out.

the wizard and the owl: of truth and wisdom by daniel socha

14/3/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Answer all the big questions of life in just a forty page book on Kindle – Yeah right! Well, that is exactly what Daniel Socha sets out to do in his book, The Wizard and the Owl: Of Truth and Wisdom. Socha attacks the big issues with a simple Socratic dialogue between an Owl and a Wizard. The Owl is seeking enlightenment and understanding from the wise Wizard, but the Wizard wants the Owl to come to his own understanding, so asks him questions that will make him think and ponder, to come up with the solutions to the questions himself. The author covers most of the big questions in life, including, but certainly not limited to: Death, Religion, Discipline, Forgiveness, Reincarnation, Anger, Love and a whole host of other issues we all ponder from time to time. He certainly doesn’t pretend to have the answer to everything, but what he does is makes you question your beliefs and consider other options.

I loved this neat little book, The Wizard and the Owl: Of Truth and Wisdom by Daniel Socha, if only because the author is not trying to ram a particular philosophy of life down the reader’s throats, but is merely asking questions that makes the Owl and by extension, the reader think long and hard about their own beliefs and where they were formed. Certainly, the book relies heavily on Buddhist philosophy, but at the end of the day, as much of that ties in with my own particular beliefs, it certainly did resonate with me. What I particularly liked was that Socha did not suggest he was the font of all knowledge. On more than one occasion the Wizard was forced to concede to the Owl; “well, we just don’t know, do we? We’ll have to wait and find out”. What was my best take from this pocket philosophy treatise? For me, it was the idea that we have to live in the present and the thoughts and actions of today will determine our happiness and life tomorrow. This is well worth a read and I highly recommend it, if you want to do some serious thinking and introspection.

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