Категория: Mystery/Mayhem - GRANT LEISHMAN

game of twins by mo robinson

3/9/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Suzanne Delacroix is one of Atlanta’s top homicide cops, but she is a troubled soul; still disturbed by an attempted rape of her, back in College and the mysterious death of her father, also an Atlanta cop. When she and her partner are called to investigate a brutal, ritualistic murder of two twin teenage girls, something snaps inside of Suzanne and she immediately hands in her resignation from the Atlanta PD. She hasn’t given up on solving what now appears to be a series of murders, involving twins that stretch back over a Century. Still also determined to investigate her father’s mysterious death, she teams up with her Atlanta PD partner to try to get to the bottom of the horrific killings. In Game of Twins, by Mo Robinson, what they uncover is a sordid world of cult-like and ritualistic killing that defies belief. It takes a seemingly unrelated, minor event to finally blast open the entire web of deceit, murder and sexual perversion.

Game of Twins by Mo Robinson, can, at times, be a difficult read, simply because of the depths of depravity and perversion some of the characters in the story sink to, but I felt the author handled these arcs with enough sensitivity to allow most readers to cope with and accept what was happening. As a mystery/thriller, this story does a great job of twisting and turning, as we, the readers try to follow the many connections and coincidences that occur during the story. The main character, Suzanne Delacroix is well-drawn and totally believable as a strong-willed, determined woman who will stop at nothing to discover the truth and rid the world of the evil perversion she finds. The writer’s style is comfortable, easy to read and it is one of those books that you come to the end of and wonder where it all went to. I did appreciate that the author allowed a faint whiff, at the end, for a possible sequel, which is always a smart thing to do. All in all, this is a good murder/mystery, with some particularly nasty and evil content. I am sure many would enjoy it.

You can take a look at Game of Twins, here on Mo Robinson's Amazon page:

stolen: a kieran yeats mystery by linda j wright

25/8/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Stolen: A Kieran Yeats Mystery by Linda J Wright takes us to Vancouver Island, off the coast of Canada, where former crown prosecutor and poet aficionado, Kieran Yeats now lives with her two cats, Trey and Vlad. A passionate animal lover and disillusioned with the law, especially as it relates to animal cruelty matters, Kieran quit her job in Toronto and moved to Vancouver Island where she now operates a private detective agency specialising in animal crime and animal cruelty issues. When her distraught, thirteen-year-old god-daughter, Jen comes to her and begs her to help find some stolen, very expensive, Bengal cats, she was babysitting at a cattery, Kieran has to pull herself out from her annual funk and try to help her. What she discovers is that not only have the Bengal cats been stolen, but a whole raft of neighbourhood pets have also gone missing. Clearly it is the work of evil “bunchers” who steal animals, to order, for research at Universities, Government laboratories and private labs. Kieran is determined to bring these “bunchers” to heel, but she is also weighed down by her own personal issues and the expectations of so many lonely, lost neighbours, who are mourning the loss of their beloved family members; their pets.

This story, for me, was unique in that it focuses on an area I have read little about in the past. That in itself was interesting – who knew there were PI’s specialising in animal cases? Linda J Wright is as clearly as passionate and as concerned about animal rights and welfare issues as her fictional heroine, Kieran Yeats and that passion shows through in her writing. Stolen: A Kieran Yeats Mystery was a wonderfully easy read and one I quickly got caught up in. The characters were all sharply defined and it was easy to identify, to empathise, and to root, for all of them, especially the young child known only as “Trouble”. The author used the story to raise awareness of the need for more protection for animals, under law, in Canada and I am always impressed, as a reader, when social issues are able to be promoted in fiction, without drawing away from the enjoyment of the story and this author does it extremely well. I’m unsure if this was a debut novel by this author, but I am certain she has found a niche market for her books and especially her heroine, the flawed, but good-hearted, Kieran Yeats. I look forward to more adventures from her. This is a highly-readable and fascinating story that I recommend to all.

You can find Stolen: A Kieran Yeats Mystery, by Linda J Wright, here on Amazon:

death at crooked creek (jessie o'bourne art mysteries book 2) by mary ann cherry

16/8/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

When Jessie O’Bourne is asked to stand in, at the last minute for an indisposed friend, as guest artist at the annual Crooked Creek Art Expo in Montana, she is thrilled to do so. Travelling in her beloved RV, she’s nicknamed Hawk, along with her ‘ornery, ginger tom cat, the King Jack Dempsey, she is excited about the opportunity to present her work, run some workshops, and possibly sell some of her paintings at the Expo. Although she lives and paints in Santa Fe, these days, Jessie is a born and bred Montanan, coming from just up the road from Crooked Creek, in Sage Bluff. She knows she will run into many old friends at the expo, both from Montana, as well as among the group of fellow artists who tour the Art Expos of the Mid-west, as part of their business. What she doesn’t expect is that she will be caught up in a murder-mystery that just gets deeper and odder, the further she delves into it. This is the scenario Mary Ann Cherry presents us, the readers, with, in her murder mystery, Death at Crooked Creek. Currently sworn off men, after a messy encounter with FBI Agent, Grant Kennedy and a difficult breakup with her childhood sweetheart, Russell Bonham, now sheriff of Sage Bluff, Jessie certainly does not expects the romance that comes her way in this story, either.

I’ve read a few murder mysteries in my time, but few of them have been as cleverly crafted, with as many red-herrings thrown in, as this story, Death at Crooked Creek, by Mary Ann Cherry. This is superbly written, with as plot that takes you on twists and turns you don’t expect and leaves you guessing, or even better makes you think you know, “whodunit” before the actual reveal. I loved the artistic setting of the story and the fact that the author, an artist of note herself, was able to inject her knowledge into the story naturally and without artifice. As someone who struggles to draw a stick-figure, I could really appreciate the skill and artistry of the characters, described in the story. The book is so easy to read that I just kept going, effectively finishing the story in one long sitting. I’ve never read any of this author’s work before, but this book has definitely awakened my interest in her writing and I will be checking out what else she has published. I cannot pay this author any higher compliment than to say, I want to read more about Jessie O’Bourne’s crime-solving adventures. I note there are currently two Jessie O’Bourne books in the marketplace and I can only hope there are more on the way. A highly-recommended read.

Do pop on over to Amazon and take a look at Death at Crooked Creek on Mary Ann Cherry's Amazon page:

the lazarus continuum (resurrection chronicles #2) by ken fry

13/8/2018

As regular readers of my reviews will know, I am a big fan of Ken Fry's novels, especially those with a religious conspiracy twist and The Lazarus Continuum is a continuation of that fine tradition of his. A sequel to Fry's acclaimed The Lazarus Succession, this book finds its target with unerring accuracy. The important thing for me, as a reader, is that a sequel must build on the original, develop the story and move on, into different areas of exploration. The Lazarus Continuum does exactly that, whilst still keeping many of the characters that we met and fell in love with, in The Lazarus Succession.

You don't have to have read the first book, to enjoy this, as it is a standalone story and the author does an exceptional job at dropping little gems into the story to explain the backstory from the first book. That having been said, I would still recommend reading the Lazarus Succession first, if for no other reason than it is a superb story, by the incomparable Ken Fry. When it comes to religious icons and fantastical religious conspiracy theories, I have found none better in the genre than Fry. What makes this author stand out more than most is his innate ability to make the reader believe the unbelievable and the mystical. By the end of the book, nothing surprises you, as a reader, and you just accept the fantastic, as being merely normal and expected. This is the mark of a superb author and Ken Fry is one of those.

In this story, our heroes from the first book, Brodie and Ulla are still present, but the mantle is picked up by their daughter, Martha. The healing Lazarus painting has resided for many years now in a Monastery in Spain, guarded by Abbot Louis and Brodie himself, as Brother Baez. The legend of the powers of the painting has resurfaced though and this time, two unscrupulous rogues are determined to get their hands on it. One, Silas Shepherd, a typical American Super Church pastor has dreams of immense power and immense wealth when he has this miraculous religious icon in his hands and he controls the greatest church in the world, that he will found, The Church of the Lazacrucians. The other, a ruthless, casino owner, billionaire, John D Bower, who dreams of the immense wealth the painting can bring him. They will join forces to hunt down the Lazarus painting and it will be all hands on deck for those that must protect it from the usurpers.

As always, in Fry's novels, the action is fast-paced and exciting. I read the book, essentially in one sitting and cliched as it may be, I found it impossible to put it down. The Lazarus Continuum just adds to the already magnificent body of work in the area of religious conspiracy theories by this author. I, for one, wait with bated breath to see what his next contribution will be. Fry is an author par excellence and right at the top of the "Indie Author Tree" in my opinion. This is not to be missed - a "must read".

Absolutely do pop on over to Amazon and check out The Lazarus Continuum, along with all of Ken Fry's amazing works, on his author page. I can guarantee you there is not a dud among them and I've read them all.

The Murder of Paolo Mancuso: A Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian Crime Mystery by Owen Parr

21/7/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Murder of Paolo Mancuso: A Joey Mancuso, Father O’Brien Crime Mystery, by Owen Parr introduces us to an unlikely pair of crime solvers; half-brothers, Joey Mancuso and Father Dominic O’Brien. Joey’s father, Paolo, was fairly high up in one of New York’s crime families, when he was murdered, in front of his teenage son, some twenty years ago. That and the influence of a New York City police captain saw Joey turn away from his father’s occupation and instead train to be a New York City Detective. After a successful career in the police force, Joey and his half-brother Dom, a Catholic priest have joined forces in business, running both a Cigar Bar and a Private Detective Agency. Haunted by his father’s unsolved murder and with new clues provided by Paolo’s best friend, on his deathbed, Joey decides it is finally time to put this mystery behind him and discover who ordered the hit on his father all those years ago.

Owen Parr has created an unusual set of characters for this series; headlined by Joey and his brother, but including the likeable Mr Pat, the former manager of their Cigar Bar, Joey’s wife, FBI Special Agent Marcy and their tech whiz, assistant Agnes. The cast of different character is probably what lifts The Murder of Paolo Mancuso: A Joey Mancuso, Father O’Brien Crime Mystery, above your average murder mystery. The story is very readable, with straightforward languages and a plot that flies all over the place keeping the reader continually guessing and wondering. The plot is complicated and twists relentlessly, taking the reader from New York, to a small island off Hilton Head on the east coast of the US and across to Barcelona, among other places. If murder mystery is your thing, or police procedures, then this book will surely satiate your appetite. I felt myself, as a reader, continually drawn to comparison to the works of Ed McBain. I saw character parallels between McBain’s main hero, Steve Carrella and Joey Mancuso, very clearly. The styles are similar.

You can find The Murder of Paolo Mancuso, along with all Owen Parr's other extensive works, here on his Amazon page:

the plastic paradigm: a jack jago novella by paul stretton-stephens

18/7/2018

Reviewed For the Author Resource Centre by Grant Leishman

The Plastic Paradigm, by Paul Stretton-Stephens, the first book in the Jack Jago Thriller Series could perhaps best be described as a short primer to this new series of thrillers based around the character of Jack Jago, a security consultant in Great Britain. At just 128 pages on Kindle, it is a novelette, but it does still contain a full story and action adventure featuring our hero, Jack Jago (or just plain Jago, as he prefers). This books serves its purpose well of introducing us to the dangerous and surreptitious world of Jago and his team of specialists, as they seek to thwart the actions of criminals, terrorists, or indeed anyone who crosses their paths, that needs justice meted out to them.

Jago is a former British special services operative and military policeman and as such is well versed in the “dark arts”, having funds as well as access to the most sophisticated and covert surveillance systems and weapons available. Although Jago’s firm may often work undercover for the British Government, they are a private organisation and not constrained by the normal “rules of engagement”. When you cross Jago, you are very likely to lose your life, especially if you try to fight back.

In The Plastic Paradigm, Jago is investigating the mysterious disappearance of a Government research scientist and his assistant, when a body appears at the wharf, tied to an anchor chain of a ship. Ultimately this will lead Jago into the world of illicit dumping at sea, of plastics and other hazardous wastes, by unscrupulous businessmen and shipping line owners. When Kim, a young employee of a shipping freight company is kidnapped and about to be raped and tortured, Jago is forced to step in and rescue her, sparking an investigation by him and his team to track down the people determined to stop an NGO, Ocean Beautiful, from releasing a report naming and shaming some of the most powerful businessmen and Governments in the world for their illicit waste dumping behaviours. In this high-stakes game, Jago must move fast to protect those who would expose these activities.

Author Stretton-Stephens, with Jago, has produced a character reminiscent of other thriller “heroes”, such as Cussler’s Dirk Pitt or Clancy’s Jack Ryan. These are indeed big shoes to fill, but from what I’ve read of Stretton Stephens’ work to date, I am impressed with the character he has created and has developed in the first two books in this series. Jago is everything you would expect in an “action hero” – smart, fit, well trained, exceptionally knowledgeable and extremely effective at what he does. He carries his military training, into civilian life and along with the gadgetry the new technology of today has to offer, is able to keep at least one step ahead of the “baddies” at all times. I also appreciate that his team is a diverse bunch of ex-military types, one who was severely injured in the service to her country and one with dazzling tech-wizard ability. Jago is perhaps not as suave and debonair as a Bond, but there is no doubt the man carries charisma and the ability to charm the ladies, extremely well.

I like the author’s simple, straightforward writing style and the non-stop and heart-pumping action he weaves into the stories keeps you on the edge of your chair. There is never a dull moment in a Stretton-Stephens’ book. Action hero stories are, by definition, somewhat formulaic, but in Jago, I believe we have a character and a storyline that lifts The Plastic Paradigm and the Jack Jago series, well above your run of the mill action thrillers. Stretton-Stephens’ own life imitates that of Jack Jago and therefore you can be well assured the author knows his subject matter, understands military tactics and weaponry well, and has well-researched the up to date technical issues in the story.

If you are a fan of action thrillers; a Clancy, a Higgins or a Cussler fan, then I suspect the Jack Jago Thriller series will be right up your alley. I’d say give it a go and celebrate the excellent, talented independent authors out there in the marketplace right now, such as Paul Stretton-Stephens.

Do pop on over to Amazon and take a look at The Plastic Paradigm, here on Paul Stretton-Stephens' Amazon page:

arcadia falls by ken stark

15/7/2018

This is the first Ken Stark book I've read and I'm certain it won't be the last. Although the genre; young adult. supernatural is hardly my demographic, I found myself completely caught up in the character of this fast-moving, thriller that grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go until it spits you out at the very end.

Arcadia Falls is your typical, small-town America, but there is something going on in Arcadia Falls that defies description. For centuries, people have been mysteriously disappearing from Arcadia Falls, but even worse, it seems nobody even remembers who they were after they'd gone. When High School senior, Tyler John begins his final year of school, little does he know what is in store for him and his friends, as they are thrown headlong into a battle for survival against the evil that inhabits "the old town" of Arcadia Falls. Meeting Amanda, a new girl in town, is definitely a highlight of his last year and Tyler begins to imagine this year may be better than the past. Dream on, Tyler!

Tyler, Amanda and their increasing circle of friends, along with a crusty, curmudgeonly History teacher quickly find themselves fighting the battle of their lives against creatures that appear to have come from the very gates of hell itself. This is a battle for friendship, for love and for Arcadia Falls.

Ken Stark has a writing style that carries the reader along in a breathless, non-stop ride of adventure and horror, but yet he doesn't leave behind the character development and makes sure to inject his subtle and sometimes not so subtle humour into the situation. I found this a compelling mixture to read. His characterisations in this particular story were indeed caricatures of every high-school story we've ever read; there is the nerds, the gearheads, the beauties, the jocks, the braniacs and in Mr McTistis, the curmudgeonly, old History teacher, who it turns out is not such a bad "stick" after all. This, I'm sure was intentional, on the author's part to highlight his characters and it worked extremely well, especially as we saw them cast aside their prejudices and embrace each other as common partners in this race to save the town from something inherently evil.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have no hesitation in awarding it a full five stars and I will definitely be looking for other Ken Stark books to read in the future. Highly recommended!

You can take a look at Arcadia Falls, plus the rest of Ken Stark's portfolio, here on his Amazon page:

shades of loyalty (jack Jago thriller series book #2) by paul stretton-stephens

29/6/2018

Editorial Review for the Author Resource Centre by Grant Leishman

Shades of Loyalty (Jack Jago Thriller Series Book #2) by Paul Stretton-Stephens is the second book in the series that introduces the reader to our main hero, the terrorist fighting Jack Jago of the British Intelligence Service. Jack has one big advantage over the normal run-of-the-mill intelligence agency or police. Their team has no rules-of-engagement and has to seek no authority from anyone. When they are on a mission, the decisions are all theirs and they do whatever is necessary to ensure the job is done and the threat is eliminated.

When a series of bizarre, seemingly disparate, and inexplicable series of explosions and a murder have the authorities baffled, Jack and his team are called in to firstly discover if somehow these actions are linked and if so, what is the next target on these people’s list? The only thing that appears to link these heinous crimes is the date. They all occur around the 24th and 25th of the month. Jack’s team has little more than eight days to find and neutralise the miscreants before they can expect the next terror attack. Highly sophisticated, with all the latest technology available to them, Jack’s team is literally able to go and infiltrate where regular law-enforcement is not. This gives them a distinct advantage, but will they be able to solve the linkage and catch these criminals before they strike next.

In many ways I found myself comparing Shades of Loyalty and Jack Jago, to Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. In many ways this book strikes me as a British version of the anti-terrorist squad that features in so many of Clancy’s books. The comparison is indeed favourable. Shades of Loyalty displayed much of the same tension and excitement that Clancy is able to generate in his thrillers. The characters introduced in this story are as disparate as the situations they find themselves investigating. All are ex-military and usually ex-special forces. There is a pleasing balance between men and women and even a place for a wounded, disabled veteran, who handles the communications and liaison for the team. The story is action-packed and runs at full steam as you would expect from a good thriller.

The old saying in writing is; “write what you know!” Certainly Paul Stretton-Stephens appears to have done exactly that. With a background not dissimilar to his main hero, Jago, Stretton-Stephens clearly has an exhaustive knowledge of techniques, equipment, and procedures of anti-terrorist teams world-wide. The author has also clearly kept himself up to date with the latest technology available and writes with clear and obvious knowledge and understanding of the situations and the actors involved.

I found his writing style to be simple and straightforward with little or no pretension and conducive to absolutely sucking the reader in to the story and not letting them go, until the very end. I definitely did feel a comparison, in the style of writing, to that of another extremely successful thriller writer, Jack Higgins, who was one of my favourite authors, as a young man. This is a thriller, so it is more about action than character development, although to the author’s credit, we do begin to get to know and understand a little more, the motivations and lives of Jack Jago’s squad. I would love to see more of this development in future Jack Jago stories, if only because I felt the story was shorter than need be, given the full-on focus on action. Some more human elements would be greatly appreciated and I am sure that will come as the author develop and grows into this series.

When one begins to read a series from an author or reads a new author for the first time, the question always has to be; will I read any more of this series, or will I read more from this author? After completing Shades of Loyalty, my answer would have to be a resounding, YES! Good, easy to read and credible thrillers are not a dime-a-dozen, so I am thrilled to be able to recommend Shades of Loyalty to all action/thriller readers and give it the full five-stars it so richly deserves.

You can take a look at Shades of Loyalty and all of Paul Stretton-Stephens' significant portfolio, here on his Amazon page.

the socratic contract by d. c. russell

25/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

“Premature death”! It’s a phrase that does not tend to excite too much interest when applied to the terminally ill and elderly. “They were going to die anyway,” is the general response. When a highly secret division of a medical insurance company comes to the conclusion that helping their terminally ill clients to die prematurely, would be good for the families and efficient and profitable for the company, a new form of insurance was born. “The Chairman’s Policy” is never put in writing, but Delaware General secretly sells many of these policies every year, assisting their clients to die, when the time is right and reaping the benefits of their “premature death”. When Merritt Royce's, a high level administrator in the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, attention is drawn to Delaware’s unusual profitability in a difficult market, where other companies are struggling to maintain profitability, she begins to ask questions. Questions that the head of Delaware Insurance, Delbert Burroughs does not want asked. The Socratic Contract by D C Russell takes the reader deep inside the bureaucracy of the US Government in a twisting mystery that exposes the sources of power within the government.

In The Socratic Contract, author D C Russell uses this fast-paced, exciting story to ask questions about the morality, or otherwise of assisted suicide as well as highlighting many of the true levers of power in the government. Given the current political state of the United States, I found this story both timely and fascinating. The idea that, in general most of us support the concept of “ending their misery”, for terminally ill patients, very few of us are prepared to talk about it. By wrapping the concept up in a mystery/thriller such as this, I appreciated the thoughts and questions the subject matter raised in me, as a reader. As a thriller, it is an excellent story, well told, with realistic and very believable characters. I particularly liked the Socratic ideal, around which the story is based, that in order to seek truth, one must ask questions with total determination and fearlessness. As a mystery/thriller, it is an exciting and rewarding read, but the additional insights into government and its operations, as well as the thought-provoking topic, lift it above your average thriller. I can highly recommend The Socratic Contract, it is an excellent and fulfilling read. It appears that this is a debut novel and if so, it bodes extremely well for the future of author D C Russell. I will look for more from this author in the future.

You can find The Socratic Contract by D C Russell here on Amazon:

smoke on the mountains by sam knupp

24/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Author Sam Knupp takes us back to a simpler time in Smoke on the Mountains, as he transplants the reader to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Shenandoah River, West Virginia (of John Denver Fame), in the little town of Timberville, Virginia. The world is in turmoil, it is just after the Charlottesville outrage and a protest march from Charlottesville to Washington passes through Timberville, a town still rooted in and in some ways fighting the Civil War of 1864, with a controversial statue of Southern General, Stonewall Jackson, dominating the main square. Amidst this, a little, local girl Pepper Anne goes missing and the townsfolk and protesters alike, unite to search for her. Attitudes, prejudices, and secrets will be revealed and discovered over the next few weeks leading up to and after Christmas. A huge variety of amazing characters will pass through the prism of suspicion as friendships and relationships are tested. Timberville, Virginia, will never be the same again.

Smoke on the Mountains could probably best be described as an acquired taste. The story, the writing style and the characters definitely grow on you, the more you read. Author Sam Knupp has used an eclectic and bizarre group of characters to try to highlight the cultural divide that is facing American society today. The sheer oddness of the different residents of Timberville highlights the cultural split between rural and urban; between white and non-white; between Evangelicals and non-Christians; and especially between Liberal and Conservative. The characters are grossly overdrawn (on purpose) as typified by the seven-foot-tall, blind preacher Marvel and his equally enormous sidekick, Buddy. I felt the author’s use of humoured cliché to make sense of the ridiculous to be clever and insightful, if a little overdone at times. The fact he was able to make the reader laugh, cry and shout with outrage within a few sentences, was indeed a credit to his ability, however, I did sense the occasional desire on the author’s part to “impress” the reader with his ability as a wordsmith, to the detriment of telling the story. Smoke on the Mountains is definitely different from anything I’ve read lately and it makes you think and question your prejudices, which is probably all one can ask from an author. It was definitely an intriguing read.

You can find Smoke on the Mountains by Sam Knupp, here on Amazon:

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:

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

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.

monsterland reanimated: monsterland series book 2 by michael okon

17/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Monsterland Reanimated, Book Two of the Monsterland Series by Michael Okon picks up from the first book, after Monsterland has been destroyed (or has it?). The world’s leadership is gone, the world economy has collapsed and in Copper Mountain, the site of the US Monsterland, Wyatt, his step-father Carter and his mother and brother must try and figure out what to do next. The town is isolated and all services have ceased, but Carter, a policeman, is determined to rally those who are left and try to organise some sort of civil society. Lawlessness is rampant though and worse than that, there is still something happening at Monsterland. It seems that Monsterland creator, Vincent Konrad is not quite as dead as everyone supposes. He and his faithful sidekick Igor have plans to take over and rule the world, with his army of living mummies. So starts a frantic race against time to stop the evil Vincent from succeeding.

I had not read the first Monsterland novel, but really it is not necessary to have done so, before reading Monsterland Reanimated. Author Michael Okon gives us the backstory very well as events unfold in the new story. I would never have believed a novel about zombies, shape-shifters, and monsters in general, would captivate me quite the way this one did and that is a real credit to the author. I found his writing style and dark humour, with some subtle and not so subtle pop culture references to be immensely enjoyable to read. Despite the fact that this is a book that delves into the darkest, most evil places in our hearts and is full of blood, splatter and gore, it is also a story that highlights and celebrates the most redeeming features of humanity. I particularly enjoyed the interplay and the developing relationship between Wyatt and his step-father. For anyone who has been part of a blended family, the emotions and feelings will be evident. This is a fun, enjoyable read and not just for fans of the genre. I was pleased to see a third book is in the works and I know fans of Michael Okon’s work will be pleased about that.

Do pop on over to Michael Okon's Amazon page, where you can see both the Monsterland books, for yourself.

the patmos enigma by ken fry

14/5/2018

When it comes to Biblical Conspiracies (one of my favourite reads actually), there is no better author on this planet, in my humble opinion, than the erstwhile Ken Fry. Therefore, when I come across a Ken Fry book, I have yet to read, I grab it with both hands.
The Patmos Enigma is an enthralling tale of mysticism, deception, murder and greed that will grab you from the very first page and will not be satisfied until you finish the book with a groan of satisfaction and some sadness at having to leave the characters the author has you totally invested in.
Two thousand years ago, as Jesus was making his weary journey to Calvary, he was cursed at and spat on by a shop keeper. That man, who became known as the Wandering Jew, was cursed to walk the earth, as an immortal, for all times, until the Second Coming of Christ, suffering all the pain and ravages of humanity but unable to receive the soothing balm of death.
Two secret organisations, the Keepers and the Guardians are vying for control of the legendary seven seals of John of Patmos, as revealed in the Book of Revelations. Caught in the middle of this millennial struggle for power are a group of Jewish archaeologists who have found six of the seven seals and now search for the seventh, which the Wandering Jew believes will signal the end of time, the return of Jesus Christ and, of course, his release from this hell on earth.
Fry's book whips us, at breakneck pace, from Jerusalem, to Tel Aviv and to Rome as the eternal struggle for the minds and souls of the faithful battle around the participants. Fry has a unique talent to take the reader there, to believe the unbelievable and to invest heavily in the characters he creates and portrays.
If you love conspiracy theories, if you're a Dan Brown fan (Fry is better) or if you simply love a rollicking, racing, mystery story, The Patmos Enigma is a winner for you. This is a superb story, beautifully told by an uber-talented storyteller. I can not recommend this book highly enough and have no hesitation in awarding it five stars plus from this reviewer.

Go take a look at The Patmos Enigma by Ken Fry, as well as all his other superb work, here on his Amazon page:

journey of a thousand steps: Book 3 (A whisper of mystery trilogy #3) by M.A. appleby

14/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Journey of a Thousand Steps: Book 3 (A Whisper of Mystery Trilogy) by M.A. Appleby continues the story of Ellen’s struggle with forces outside of her control who want to destroy her and her family. Along with her CIA husband Adrian and the rest of her family, they have established a new life on Ashwood Station, where they train and race standard-bred trotters and pacers. Ellen is trying, with the help of her psychiatrist Dr Laurel to put the past behind her, but there is one thing she cannot forget. Her son, Jason, who was heir to the Saudi Royal crown disappeared four years previously. Whilst everyone assures Ellen it is time to let go and move on, Ellen cannot. In her heart of hearts she knows Jason is still alive and she will not rest until she finds him. A coincidental documentary of a super typhoon in the far away South Pacific will set Ellen off on a journey of mystery, intrigue and no small amount of danger, in her never-ending search for her lost son.

This is the third and final book in the series and although it can be read stand-alone, I would strongly recommend anyone consider reading the full series from the beginning, to get an easier grasp of the characters and their backstories. Journey of a Thousand Steps: Book 3 (A Whisper of Mystery Trilogy) is a good, solid, mystery adventure, with an insight into the well-to-do world of Ellen and her family. I found the horse racing side of the story to be most fascinating, as an avid follower of the pacing/trotting world, from the other side of the world. The story is told from Ellen’s first person perspective and as such gives us a personal and touching insight into the mind of a distraught mother who refuses to listen to reason, simply because she knows her son is not dead. As a reader, I noted the story arcs, when they changed, were not always clearly delineated and that was a trifle jarring to read. That having been said, M A Appleby has given us a well written, well researched and very readable mystery, that I enjoyed and can recommend.

You can take a look at Journey of a Thousand Steps, plus the rest of M.A. Appleby's extensive portfolio, here on Amazon.

that unexpected kiss (kissed by fate #2) by tamara Ferguson

6/5/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

More than just a romance, That Unexpected Kiss (Kissed by Fate Book 2) from Tamara Ferguson is an intriguing mixture of romance, human trafficking, murder and abduction. Dylan Nash is an FBI agent under cover at Crystal Rock. He and his mother have been searching for his father’s murderer for over twenty years and they are finally closing in on the suspects. Dylan is also looking into a human trafficking ring that had been operating out of Crystal Rock in the past, seeking the local connections. When Dylan first met Julie Thompson, several years earlier, both had felt an inexplicable connection that generated electricity and chemistry. Julie moved away, though and the connection was never explored, instead Dylan hooked up with Julie’s best friend Kate. Now Julie has come home to Crystal Rock and sparks are about to fly. Julie’s past, is also mired in tragedy, with the disappearance of her mother when she was just five. It is all about to come together in this novel.

Tamara Ferguson is a well-known and celebrated romance author, whose work I had yet to read. If The Unexpected Kiss (Kissed by Fate Book 2) is an example of the quality of her work, I’m sure it will not be the last Ferguson book I read. The pace was frantic, whether it was the adventure or the passionate romance between Dylan and Julie. Ferguson’s writing is simple, elegant and incredibly easy to read. I found myself disappointed when the book ended as I wanted to explore more of these characters and the wonderful location. This book, with its darker undertones is definitely much more than just another pulp romance. The mystery and the intrigue grabs the readers right from the very beginning and carries us along full-throttle, fully investing in the believable characters. I can highly recommend this reading, for romance and thriller/mystery readers alike. It is definitely as good as anything in that genre market out there. Thank you to Ferguson for such an enjoyable read.

Do pop on over to Amazon and take a look at That Unexpected Kiss, plus the rest of Tamara Ferguson's very extensive portfolio of novels, on her Amazon page:

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