tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51139984503521903892024-03-13T07:34:30.164+00:00Tomes of the SoulThis is a small blog dedicated to sharing the latest news and reviews of e-books and related technologies, primarily focused on the Amazon Kindle.
I will also post offers of free/discounted e-book I become aware of.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-49524327057521703932016-10-11T21:27:00.000+01:002016-10-11T21:27:01.171+01:00Reveiw: Disruption by Chuck Barrett <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you are a fan of shows like 24 or Spooks then this book will be right up your street.<br />
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Fast paced action with detailed descriptions of characters and locations that make you feel like you are there. It reminded me of the Da Vinci code in the way the characters are rushing from place to place to try to prevent Disruption. It's also very topical considering the increasing reports of hacking in the media.<br />
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I was slightly disappointed that the book 'borrows' one of popular MH370 conspiracy theories as I felt it was a bit lazy as well as being disrespectful to the missing and their families. The author does explain its inclusion in the afterword though. <br />
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Disruption is available from<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/DISRUPTION-Action-Packed-Pendleton-Political-Thriller-ebook/dp/B01J78YAVK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1472156745&sr=1-1&keywords=disruption+chuck"> Amazon</a> from October 25th at £6.10 for the Kindle edition.<br />
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[Based on NetGalley ARC]
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-58962500566909967062016-08-25T21:15:00.002+01:002016-08-25T21:27:46.872+01:00Review: Hide and Seek by M.J.Arlidge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="freeTextreview1738837896">I'm a big fan of M.J. Arlidge and Hide and Seek does not disappoint. Following on from the events of <br />Little Boy Blue - Grace finds herself in prison, on remand for a crime she didn't commit. <br /><br />The book is a quick read due to the suspense that drags you through. There's lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing and when the real killer is revealed it comes as a enormous surprise. As with Arlidge's previous books there is just enough description to allow you to picture the locations in your head without there being so much the action is lost.<br /><br />Whilst the book follows on from events of the previous novel and past characters are brought back there is enough explanation included so that new readers will be able to enjoy the book just as much as regular readers.</span></div>
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Hide and Seek will be available from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hide-Seek-Helen-Detective-Inspector-ebook/dp/B01D1Q47DA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Amazon</a> from September 8th for £9.49 for the Kindle Version.</div>
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[Based on NetGalley Review Copy]<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-30310235091326052972016-08-25T21:15:00.000+01:002016-08-25T21:15:11.574+01:00Review: Hide and Seek by M.J.Arlidge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="freeTextreview1738837896">I'm a big fan of M.J. Arlidge and Hide and Seek does not disappoint. Following on from the events of <br />Little Boy Blue - Grace finds herself in prison, on remand for a crime she didn't commit. <br /><br />The book is a quick read due to the suspense that drags you through. There's lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing and when the real killer is revealed it comes as a enormous surprise. As with Arlidge's previous books there is just enough description to allow you to picture the locations in your head without there being so much the action is lost.<br /><br />Whilst the book follows on from events of the previous novel and past characters are brought back there is enough explanation included so that new readers will be able to enjoy the book just as much as regular readers.</span></div>
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Hide and Seek will be available from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hide-Seek-Helen-Detective-Inspector-ebook/dp/B01D1Q47DA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Amazon</a> from September 8th for £9.49 for the Kindle Version.</div>
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[Based on NetGalley Review Copy]<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-30868960096558254012015-05-03T19:12:00.000+01:002015-05-03T19:14:33.499+01:00Review: The Starved: Inception by Rick Ochre<div class="MsoNormal">
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In The Starved: Inception by Rick Ochre two men, Carl Yoder
and Hank Phipps are volunteers in an experiment into starvation. The experiment
brought them closer together and changed their outlook on life – in more than
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Rick Ochre’s book is a solid read. It’s enjoyable and short
enough to get through in one sitting if so desired, without feeling as if the
story is rushed. The plot becomes clear quite early on, and despite one twist
halfway through follows a predictable path. This is not necessarily bad – but to
me was less of a horror/thriller because of this, as there were few thrills to
be had, very little suspense or gore (aside from the obvious). This is not a
book that is going to stop you sleeping – in fact I read it in a tent during a
storm and didn't get as much as a goose bump. However the interesting psychological
aspects made up for the lack of thrills. </div>
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The Starved is let down by its length –at 151 pages it is
more of a novella than a true novel, and whilst it doesn't feel like anything
is missed out of the story it is disappointing that the author gets bogged down
in pages and pages of describing the domestic arrangements of Yoder and Phipps,
particularly the insecurities of Yoder’s wife. Whilst this adds depth to the
characters, it doesn't add to the plot and is mildly offensive to women
(although well in keeping with the time the story is set). These pages would,
in my opinion, have been better spent adding in a little suspense.</div>
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The Starved: Inception is out May 4<sup>th</sup> and is
available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Starved-Inception-Rick-Ochre-ebook/dp/B00U9O8WY8">Amazon.co.uk</a> for £2.60.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-42370997539995103982014-04-14T12:57:00.000+01:002014-04-14T12:57:21.319+01:00Review: Eeny Meeny by M.J. Arlidge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Eeny Meeny is a crime thriller set in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region>. Couples are
being abducted and held against their will. To gain their freedom their captor
has a simple request – ‘when one of you kills the other, the survivor will walk
free’. As the bodies start to pile up DI Grace needs to find the killer fast.</div>
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The descriptive writing style draws the reader in with
graphic and gruesome descriptions of the crimes, and the book is very
enjoyable. The plot and characters are very similar to the type of crime
stories you see on prime-time TV – time limited scenario, detectives with
personal issues, psychological elements. The one let down for me came later on
in the book, where the threat moves closer to home for the investigators; there
was simply a lack of real peril which for me is the key to a good thriller. </div>
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Eeny Meeny will appeal to fans of crime dramas like CSI and
criminal minds and is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GK8RV3A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00GK8RV3A&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon UK</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B00GK8RV3A" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for £3.99. </div>
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[Review copy provided by NetGalley]<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-91633210427026152482014-02-24T00:00:00.000+00:002014-02-24T00:00:07.021+00:00Review: The Troop by Nick Cutter<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Troop is a horrific, terrifying and brilliant tale
exploring what happens when boys are forced to become men. Part horror, part psychological
thriller, part sci-med, The Troop starts out with a small scout group and their
scoutmaster taking a trip to a remote, deserted island, all seems normal until
one night a man arrives, clearly ill. Tim the scoutmaster feels that it is his
duty as a doctor to try to help the dying man without fully realising the horror
incubating inside the stranger. Soon the evil emerges and starts to slowly work
its way through the small group, who have no one but themselves to turn to for
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Troop is so captivating that even when you really feel like
you can’t take anymore you keep reading. The actual infection (I will say no
more) pales into insignificance compared to the palpable fear of the characters
and the detailed exploration of their psyche as the situation shows the best
and the worst of the teens. There is no shying away from the necessities of the
situation, and there is no clear ‘hero’, each of the boys will do something
they regret. The author cleverly weaves in reports from those on the mainland
taken after the events in the book, which allows the reader to catch their
breath and regroup, as well as showing us how futile the boy’s situation is.
The final bid for survival and the last twist had me in tears and goose bumps respectively.
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is not the book for those with a weak constitution,
there is an abundance of gore, with some very graphic descriptions, there is swearing,
there is some sexual activity, there is self-mutilation. However, none of this
should bother most adult thriller or horror readers enough to stop them reading.
I did however draw the line at the very graphic descriptions of animal cruelty by
one of the characters, and did have to skip over one particular part involving
a kitten. Whilst completely fitting to the story, it did upset me. There are
also descriptions of animal experimentation, but this is presented more clinically.
If any of this bothers you, you may want to give The Troop a miss.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Overall a horrifically good thriller that I
recommend anyone with a strong stomach gives a go but not one for the kids.</span><br />
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The Troop is available for £7.99 from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EEBDG98/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00EEBDG98&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon.co.uk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B00EEBDG98" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
and from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476717710/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1476717710&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-20">Amazon.com</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1476717710" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-1923247874741178292014-01-13T22:31:00.000+00:002014-01-13T22:31:00.057+00:00Review: Second Chance by David Perry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Second Chance tells the story of Alex Benedict, a devoted
husband and hospital pharmacists who ends up getting dragged into a hunt for
clues to find the most sought after drug in the world – the elixir of life. Alex
has a personal reason to want to find it, as his wife is terminally ill in
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It took me several months of trying to read Second Chance
before getting past the first few chapters, as the story is not that gripping
to begin with. It does soon pick up, and becomes very readable from around the
60% mark. I did enjoy reading it, although it’s not a book I’d read again given
that I now know the plot. </div>
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I did feel that Second Chance was slightly let down by some
plot weaknesses. For example, it’s never properly explained (as far as I
remember) why the IV bag samples didn't yield the ingredients uses in the drug.
The clues to find the hidden formula seem to be very easy to decode, and nothing
seems to be too difficult, be that getting a plane or accessing documents after-hours.
Due to that, there was a lack of real threat. The most believable moment is ‘the’
scene near the end of the book, where Benedict truly comes alive as a
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The story also wasn't helped by a rather large cast of
characters, some who are introduced near the start of the book, only to disappear
till the end. This left me racking my brains trying to figure out who they were
and what they had to do with everything. </div>
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Overall Second Chance is a decent mystery, but not one that
I’d like to re-read. It is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EHKL8XW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00EHKL8XW&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon UK</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B00EHKL8XW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for £8.23, and from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EHKL8XW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00EHKL8XW&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-20">Amazon US</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00EHKL8XW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for $13.57. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-30461916968449614532014-01-06T18:09:00.000+00:002014-01-06T18:09:21.916+00:00Review: Country Doctor: Tales of a Rural GP by Michael Sparrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Country Doctor is a collection of anecdotes about the life of a former Air Force medic turned country GP - Michael Sparrow. It follows in the footsteps of books like <i>Sick Notes</i> and <i>Confessions of a GP</i>, the primary difference in this case is that the doctor in question has had a rather dubious background for a GP; he is someone who openly admits to being less than academically gifted and admits to neglecting his duties whilst a student/house officer.<br />
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The book was enjoyable to read, and there were moments when I literally laughed aloud. The anecdotes in the most part are interesting and entertaining but I found three things hindered my enjoyment of the book. First, the title is misleading. Just a fraction of the book is actually set when the author is a country GP, the vast majority focusing on his early career and time in the Air Force. For me this was immensely disappointing as it was not the collection of interesting stories about interesting people, and good old fashioned village spirit, I had imagined it to be.<br />
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The next issue for me was the underlying vibe of the author saying "Look how great I am". Whilst on the surface the author says he wasn't that good a medical student or junior doctor, there is a definite vibe of "I'm better than you" throughout, which quickly got wearing such as when the author basically turns around and said that his tutor could see just how amazing a doctor he was, that they 'helped' him through his exams. Lastly, some of the 'true' stories recounted in the book are questionable. If they did indeed happen, then some of the events where at best unethical.<br />
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Overall I found Country Doctor to be a easy, humorous read but for the reasons outlined above I have given it a three star rating, although at only 99p currently, you cannot go too wrong.<br />
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Country Doctor is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AFAD7IM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00AFAD7IM&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon UK</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B00AFAD7IM" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for 99p and from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AFAD7IM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AFAD7IM&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-20">Amazon US</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00AFAD7IM" height="1" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for $1.63.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-33630318173807377602013-12-30T19:39:00.000+00:002014-01-04T22:32:26.855+00:00Review: The Moses Virus by Jack Hyland<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>In sci-med thriller The Moses Virus, Dr Tom Stewart, a
professor and trustee of the American Academy in Rome, stumbles upon an ancient
virus, more deadly than the Spanish Flu and becomes the one man who can protect
the virus from falling into the wrong hands. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do like my deadly pathogen thrillers, and The Moses Virus certainly
fits into this category, although is a bit slower than most novels in this genre,
with a lot of focus being put on the history side of the story especially
earlier on. Like many books since Dan Brown, there is a bit of an ‘evil Vatican’
sub-plot that will appeal to fans of that ilk. One of the highlights of The
Moses Virus is that it is beautifully written and features well researched
descriptions of modern Rome.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My big problem with The Moses Virus was that the plot is flawed,
why is Dr Stewart the one to investigate the virus? There is a weak reason
given in passing but it doesn’t really make sense. Neither does the fact the
police and the Vatican seem completely happy to have him investigate seemly
with very little official investigation going on particularly on the part of
the police. Then there is the fact that he realises that there are people who
will kill to find out what is going on and that he needs to be discrete but
then goes any around telling all and sundry about the virus. Later in the book,
he seems to manage to organise a cross border raid in very little time, with
his only contact in government seemingly a Rome based director of the
Laboratory for Communicable Substances. I realise that being utterly realistic
wouldn’t work, but the lack of realism really bothers me and detracted from my
overall enjoyment of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, an okay read which general fans of thrillers will
enjoy, particular those who like a bit of history in the plot. Those who enjoy
a bit more science in their thriller will probably be a bit disappointed with
the lack of substantial science but The Moses Virus will still make for a pleasant
afternoon’s read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Moses Virus is available in dead tree format from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1589799089/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1589799089&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-20">Amazon.com</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1589799089" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (January 7th) and from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1589799089/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1589799089&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon.co.uk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1589799089" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
(March 7th).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[An ARC was provided through NetGalley]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-51996191289419003902013-12-27T10:35:00.000+00:002013-12-27T10:35:24.976+00:00Free Kindle Books: Death in July and A New Dawn Rising by Michael Joseph (27/12 to 31/12)Need a good book to get into whilst you hide from the in-laws over the holiday period. If so, then these two books are a perfect getaway - and even better - they're free!<br />
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Both Death in July and A New Dawn Rising are 4-star Amazon rated thrillers by British author Michael Joseph, and will be free on Amazon between the 27th December to the 31st December - great for some holiday reading or a late Christmas gift.<br />
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The books can be found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BWREMFO" target="_blank">here</a> (or for <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BWREMFO" target="_blank">UK</a> readers) and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EV5AM08" target="_blank">here</a> (or for <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EV5AM08" target="_blank">UK</a> readers).<br />
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Merry Christmas readers!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-2288286696675894102013-12-23T21:37:00.001+00:002013-12-23T21:37:37.413+00:00Talk: Goodread's 2013 Reading ChallangeI have a confession to make, every year for the past few years I have started the Goodreads reading challenge, and then promptly forgotten all about it until the end of the year. That's not to say that I haven't been reading, just that I haven't been recording what I have read. This can be somewhat of a problem when I come to decide on what to read next, as it often takes me a few chapters to realise if it's a book I've read before.<br />
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So, this year I decided to preserve with the reading challenge (and marking read books in Calibre). The rules I set myself were simple:<br />
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1) I would try to read 52 books, deciding that that was a 'normal' number of books to read.<br />
2) I would only record those I read for reviewing or pleasure, not those for work, study or related to my hobbies.<br />
3) I would not count any fanfiction or similar online creative writing, regardless of length.<br />
4) I would count audio books, as long as they were listened to for pleasure (and I paid attention).<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/940-2013-reading-challenge" style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 1.1em; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;">2013 Reading Challenge</a>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5533793-tome">Tome</a> has
completed her goal of reading 52 books in 2013!
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/554646">56 of 52 (100%)</a>
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Well I'm pleased to say that I completed the challenge in early December, and as of today have read 56 books for pleasure (I may add a few more over the next few days). What I found fascinating as a bit of a geek was the stats that Goodreads provides to allow you to analyse what you have read. So here are some facts about this years reading:<br />
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<li><b>Most of the books I read were published since 2000, with the majority being post-2010 </b>- I think this is mainly due to the fact that I'm a reviewer - so a lot of my reading is newly published works. </li>
<li><b>Most of the books I rated 4 or 5 stars </b>- I think this is due to being careful about what I read. I don't plough through a book I'm not enjoying just for the sake of it. So as I was only recording completed books, it seems obvious that the vast majority would have positive reviews.</li>
<li><b>The longest book I read was Ashfall with</b> 57<b>6 pages </b>- Most of the books I read were around 300-400 pages long -so pretty standard for crime/thriller fiction. The shortest book was only 54 pages - which I only read because I was mislead of the length/content. </li>
<li><b>I primarily read fiction </b>- This maybe misleading. As I discounted books I read for work, study and hobbies - which make up the vast majority of my reading and are primarily non-fiction. It does however show me that I tend to review fiction, and I'm going to look into if this is because I get more fiction requests or something else. The non-fiction I read tends to be personal accounts of things I'm interested in such as crime, mountaineering or teaching. </li>
<li><b>I tend to read crime and thrillers</b> - This is no surprise, as these are my preferred genres. I did read more zombie and Sci-Fi fiction than I have previously though. I hope this will help inform those who request reviews i.e. I did not read any pure romance this year, so am unlikely to do so next year.</li>
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Well that's it for this year. I'll be starting the 2014 reading challenge in January and I highly recommend you do too. I'd also be interested in what you've all read this year, so please do comment. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-63657894149839163642013-11-18T16:28:00.000+00:002013-11-18T16:28:00.089+00:00Review: Volcano Watch by Toni Dwiggins<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
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<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Volcano</span> <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Watch</span> is the second book in the Forensic Geology series by Toni Dwiggins. Being a bit *ahem* of a science geek I thoroughly enjoyed the first book is the series Bad Water and was eager to get my hands on <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Volcano</span> <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Watch</span>. It did not disappoint.</div>
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<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Volcano</span> <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Watch</span> follows Cassie Oldfield as she returns to her home town of Mammoth Lakes which is situated on a giant Caldera. After years of the <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">volcano</span> being dormant, the rumblings begin - the <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">volcano</span> has awakened. To add to the town’s panic the mayor has disappeared, leaving only a cryptic note saying No Way Out. Cassie is sure that the note relates to the plans for an eruption, and decides to find out what the mayor meant before it is too late.</div>
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<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Volcano</span> <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Watch</span> has a nice cosy feel to it; the author creates characters that, in the most part, are well developed and memorable. The sense of small town America that Dwiggins weaves was easy to identify with, even for a big-city raised Brit. This focus on the characters and their back-story inevitably comes with a slower plot line at the start, while the scene is set and characters are introduced – there is still tension, but muted. Later on the pace picks up and you are pulled along in the fear and panic of the characters as the towns worst fears are realised. The only character that didn’t grab me was Krom – who felt a bit too stereotypical and cardboard for my liking. As with Badwater, there is the use of unusual spellings to convey accents such as “o-kigh” which was jarring for me as a reader, but is part of Dwiggins’ writing style. rt of a book like this, and where real world examples were used, these were true and precise. The only time believably wavered for me was in the actions of Krom, the emergency planner, who seemed to have his own agenda.</div>
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Overall, a almost-unique science-thriller, which will especially appeal to those with a interest in volcanology or disaster novels. It is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006XJ5NC2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B006XJ5NC2&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon UK</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B006XJ5NC2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for 77p and from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Volcano-Watch-Forensic-Geology-Series/dp/146993924X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384100837&sr=8-1&keywords=volcano+watch" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> for 99c.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-66386338352674370532013-11-11T22:08:00.000+00:002013-11-11T22:08:16.442+00:00Review: The Bones of Paris by Laurie R. King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I first came across Laurie R. King as a teenager when I read
her Katie Martinelli books, which became the first series I ever followed. I hadn’t
read the Mary Russell series as historical fiction is not really my thing, but
when I saw that King had written a new thriller I couldn’t pass up the chance
to read and review it.</div>
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The Bones of Paris is an historical (1920s) novel following
PI Harris Stuyvesant as he searches for missing American Philippa Crosby, a
girl with whom he has previously had an ‘encounter’ with. As he follows her
movements he comes across something darker than just a missing girl. </div>
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As I’ve said, I’m not a fan of historical fiction but King’s
descriptions of old <st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city>
drew me it. It was a little strange having so many famous people encountered or
namedropped such as Cole Porter and Man Rey, and whilst these people were part
of the artistes’ scene of the day in <st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city>,
it did seem a tad overdone and each time drew me slightly out of the flow of
the novel. I have to admit that King has tried to blend them in seamlessly with
the fictional characters but for me it didn’t quite work.</div>
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The plot itself is slow to start but builds well and is full
of intrigue and suspense. There is a dark, disturbing side to The Bones of
Paris that I don’t remember being in the Kate Martinelli books, but it added to
the reading experience; as did the weird and wonderful characters Stuyvesant
encounters. </div>
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I had not read the previous Stuyvesant novel Touchstone, and
at times, particularly in the first few chapters I did feel like I was missing
something, but overall it did not impact my enjoyment of the book. I would
however recommend reading Touchstone before moving onto The Bones of Paris. </div>
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Overall a good solid read that I really enjoyed. The Bones
of Paris will delight fans of historical fiction and thrillers alike. You can get it from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0749015357/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0749015357&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon.co.uk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0749015357" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for £19.99 and from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345531760/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0345531760&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-20">Amazon.com</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0345531760" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for $15.60. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-45226525972067678352013-11-04T12:26:00.000+00:002013-11-04T12:26:00.174+00:00Review: Indecent Behavior by Caryl Rivers<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SyPwaT7kL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SyPwaT7kL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Indecent Behavior is a re-release of a 1990 thriller by
Caryl Rivers. It follows two investigative journalists who stumble upon a
secret human experiment which has deadly consequences.</div>
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For me Indecent Behavior shows its age, and this really
drags the book down. There is a huge focus on class and background, with ethnic
slurs like spic, nigger and yankee used so liberally that they lose any real
impact. The two lead characters seem obsessed with their class/ethnicity and
those of others, and this gets boring really fast. Unlike most more contemporary
books, there is nothing sophisticated or sarcastic about the use of ethnic stereotypes
here, and this makes the characters seem wooden and, at times, made me as a
reader feel uncomfortable. </div>
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The idea of using electric stimulation of the brain to
control behaviour was an interesting one, but unfortunately this plot takes a
backseat to the ethnic self-wrangling and rampant sex between the two main
characters, and so you are often going pages and pages with nothing to advance
the plot. Nearer the end of the book, there is an increase in the focus on the
main plot and the action, but even the best of these scenes, for example when
our lead characters break into an apartment to try to find evidence of the
experiments, is then ruined by a shift of focus onto how aroused one of the
characters is by the other one pretending to sunbathe. </div>
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Overall I did not enjoy Indecent Behavior. There just wasn’t
enough actual thriller plot there for me, and I really did not like the dated
use of ethnic slurs or focus on class. The reason that I gave this book two
stars instead of one is that the actual writing is not flawed, and the concept
behind the sci-med plot was good, even if it did not fulfil its potential. </div>
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Indecent Behavior is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00E3CDVF2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00E3CDVF2&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon.co.uk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B00E3CDVF2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for £2.02 and from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E3CDVF2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00E3CDVF2&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-20">Amazon.com</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00E3CDVF2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for $3.16.<br />
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[A review copy was provided through NetGalley]</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-76392738970636490002013-10-28T22:09:00.000+00:002013-10-28T22:09:00.125+00:00Review: That Day in September by Artie Van Why<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347889198l/517195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347889198l/517195.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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That Day in September is a personal account of an eyewitness
to 9/11. Unfortunately the first disappointment of the book is the realisation
that instead of the book being written by someone who was in the Twin Towers,
the Pentagon or a first responder, as I first assumed, it is actually by
someone who was very close to the World Trade Centre that day but was never
actually inside, and was in fact only in the area for a very short time after
the planes hit. Indeed, very little of the book is actually a description of
what he witnessed that morning, although some of the description he gives is
harrowing, such as watching a pile of bodies grow as people started jumping
from windows. </div>
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The vast majority of the book is the author’s life story, he
talks about being gay and moving to <st1:state w:st="on">New
York</st1:state>, having a dead end job and eventually becoming
an actor after releasing that life was too short to be held back. Unfortunately
none of this is particularly interesting, and as Artie Van Why wasn't vastly
more affected (in an overall perspective) than most others by 9/11, the post
9/11 events don’t hold the same draw as those told by those more profoundly
affected like the victims families. </div>
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I think That Day in September is more of a cathartic experience
for the author than a real attempt at producing a bestselling account of that
day, and in this I hope it succeeded. </div>
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Overall, there is not really anything special about Artie’s
short account, as he didn't really experience anything differently to thousands
of New Yorkers, and wasn't really involved in the events of 9/11 for very long.
As such it is not really an interesting read and is not a book I would
recommend. </div>
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That Day in September is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001201BQY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B001201BQY&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon.co.uk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B001201BQY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for £3.85 and from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1411683153/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1411683153&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-20">Amazon.com</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1411683153" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for $5.73</div>
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[A review copy was provided by the author]</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-15102908190213257392013-10-21T22:07:00.000+01:002013-10-21T22:07:00.880+01:00Review: Blood and Stone by Chris Collett<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmxdiZRYr9E/UgqeBBaL7LI/AAAAAAAAARM/pGX4jQWZm84/s1600/17415100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmxdiZRYr9E/UgqeBBaL7LI/AAAAAAAAARM/pGX4jQWZm84/s200/17415100.jpg" width="127" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DI Tom Mariner decides the perfect cure for his grief after
the death of his ex-girlfriend is to take a walking holiday in Wales. Unfortunately
trouble seems to follow Tom and in short succession several people around him
are dead. Is it the work of a recently released convict, a criminal from
Mariner’s past or someone else entirely?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blood and Stone has everything you need from a crime
thriller – a realistic lead character, an interesting setting and so many
interweaving threads that you’ll be kept guessing until the end. Tom Mariner is
a very fallible character and like most in the book is characterised well.
Collet switches between several characters when telling the story and so leads
you on a merry chase which will have you swearing blind that you know who the
killer is several times before the truth is revealed in a surprise ending. For
those of you who have an aversion to gore, Collet gets the balance just right,
not glossing over it but not going into every little detail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is sixth book in the DI Mariner series, and whilst past
events are mentioned several times, I did not feel like I missed out having not
read the previous five books, so Blood and Stone is fine when read as a stand
alone novel.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Overall a very well done crime thriller which
whilst thrilling leaves you with a nice cosy feeling at the end. Highly
recommended for all readers – there is romance, murder and suspense. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
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Blood and Stone is available in dead tree from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1780290527/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1780290527&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon.co.uk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1780290527" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for £14.99.
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[An ARC was provided through NetGalley]<o:p></o:p>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-56485192241557552992013-10-20T00:19:00.000+01:002013-10-20T00:19:00.373+01:00Guest Blog: Stephen Kozeniewski on the zombie genre<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpFirst">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5113998450352190389" name="_GoBack"></a><span lang="EN-US">I
don’t know about you, but I’m not a big runner.
I quit the U.S. Army, in fact, due to my passionate hatred of
running. And getting up at 4 am. And eating sawmill gravy. And getting mortared. Look, let’s not complicate the issue. Let’s just pretend like the reason (or even
the main reason) I quit was running. </span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">I don’t recall there
ever being theme runs when I was a kid or as recently as a few years ago when I
was still chuff-chuff-chuffing away daily.
(Well, if there was a theme, it was like, muscular dystrophy or
something, and it wasn’t so much a theme as it was a charity we were running
for.) These days, though, everyone seems
to be going on theme runs, and after several hours of closely researching my
Facebook newsfeed I have classified these theme runs into three main types:</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">1) “Spartan” runs which are to ancient Sparta
roughly what Lucky Charms are to modern Dublin</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">2) Mud runs which seem to degenerate into pun
name contests (“The Dirty Birdies? That
rhymes! But I still wish we had come up
with Sticks in the Mud!”)</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">3) Zombie runs</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">For our purposes today
I’m going to focus on the third one.
Well, not really, since everything I’ve written up to now has been part
of a throwaway gag that really just kind of ballooned out of control. So let’s move on to the next portion of this
blogpost.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Can you name a movie
released this past year that grossed over a half a billion (with a “b”)
dollars? There are a handful, but I know
of at least one: <i>World War Z</i>.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Here’s another leading
question for you: do you know what the most popular show not just on cable
today, but in cable history is? Well,
even if you didn’t before just now, you probably inferred it already from all
of the hints I’ve been dropping. I’ll
just say it anyway, though: <i>The Walking
Dead</i>.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Now let’s take this
random assortment of half-truths and factoids and attempt to cohere them into
some kind of unassailable unified field theory.
What we know at present is that zombie movies are still making big
money, television has been reinvigorated by the zombie genre, and the shambling
dead have so infiltrated our society that otherwise ordinary people are willing
to get out of bed and <i>exercise</i> on
their behalves. Heck, I even learned the
other day that the Centers for Disease Control here in the U.S. has a zombie
preparedness comic book.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Regular old folks seem
to love their flesh-munching corpses.
That’s my conclusion, anyway, and there’s no arguing with
popularity. Well, there is, but it
mostly ends up with me getting sand kicked in my face and Cheryl stepping out
on me with that stupid Elvis-looking beach hunk even though I paid for those
French fries, Cheryl! But nevertheless,
let’s take this analysis one step further.
Name a popular zombie novel.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Got it? What’d you come up with?</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Obviously, we’re not
really having a conversation. I mean, we
sort of can in the comments section. You
can call me a half-educated buffoon and tell me I forgot about <insert name
of important zombie novel here.> But
if I had to guess, if you’re an average Joe, you probably came up with
nothing. Or maybe <i>World War Z</i>. Although, to be
fair, I did mention the movie just a few short paragraphs ago, so I’m going to
claim the credit for that one myself.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Of course, <i>World War Z</i> (the novel) came out in
2006. The other big zombie novel that
jumps to my mind is <i>The Rising</i>, which
came out even longer ago, in 2003.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">The <i>Newsflesh</i> trilogy is a little more
recent. <i>Pride and Prejudice and Zombies</i>.
<i>Warm Bodies</i>. I’m not going to lie: after I kind of wracked
my own brain I checked the internet and there weren’t a whole lot I was
missing. In terms of mass marketed,
significant zombie literature it seems like there’s a bit of a drought lately.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">There could be any
number of reasons for that. It could be
that the zombie, conceived in folklore but born of filmmaking is an inherently
cinematic creation. Perhaps the walking
dead just don’t “play” off the screen, either big or small. For my own selfish reasons (which I will get
to in a moment) I hope that isn’t the case.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Another possibility is
that I’m focusing too much on big, popular, traditionally published books. It’s entirely possible (and according to my
GoodReads suggestion list, apparently true) that a whole shambling herd of
self-published and small press zombie novels have filled the corpse-shaped hole
in our collective hearts. The death of a
thousand bites, if you will, rather than a single killer app.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">I’m *pretty* sure this
last scenario is the case. I can tell
you from my own trials and travails trying to get my own, admittedly offbeat,
zombie novel published that publishing industry professionals seem to feel the
market is saturated. I was perplexed by
this attitude for all of the reasons I’ve outlined above: the living dead seem
to be at the height of their popularity with the public and yet there aren’t a
whole lot of big-time zombie novels that jump out and bite me on the
fontanelle. I think that people are
satisfying their zombie fix with the indies.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">But a third
possibility, and an entirely self-serving one at that, also occurs to me. <i>Maybe it’s
simply that no one has written the Great Undead Novel yet</i>. The reason that’s self serving is because my
own novel, BRAINEATER JONES, came out last week and I humbly offer it to you,
dear reader, as a contender for that title.
BRAINEATER JONES is the story of a man who woke up facedown, naked, and
dead in a swimming pool. With alcohol
the only thing that keeps his brain functioning he sets out into the
Prohibition-era urban jungle to solve his own murder. </span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Has JONES got what it
takes to become the ULYSSES (or, if you’re a philistine, the MOBY-DICK) of the
living dead? I don’t know. Probably not.
But one thing it does have is moxie.
That’s a ‘30s term for, like, heart, except that, you know, zombies’
hearts don’t beat. I guess I could’ve
said “pluck,” too, but that didn’t really work out for that half-baked pun I
just sort of made.</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">If you’d like to
contribute to the groundswell, you can purchase BRAINEATER JONES at any of
these fine retailers:</span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US"><links pending></span></div>
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="KozeniewskiPreferredCxSpLast">
<span lang="EN-US">Or, to hear more of my
disjointed ramblings, you can follow my blog at <a href="http://manuscriptsburn.blogspot.com/">http://manuscriptsburn.blogspot.com</a>
or my twitter account at <a href="https://twitter.com/outfortune">https://twitter.com/outfortune</a>.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-10635972985210563212013-10-14T17:32:00.000+01:002013-10-14T17:32:00.593+01:00Review: The Boy Who Was Born A Girl by Jon and Luisa Edwards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSSFnRPdDaOiFHWEYwNBaKO3P7s9cD6-9h2rxz-ZOd424Ql9xq0qw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSSFnRPdDaOiFHWEYwNBaKO3P7s9cD6-9h2rxz-ZOd424Ql9xq0qw" width="130" /></a></div>
<br />
Based on the TV documentary of the same name, The Boy Who Was Born a Girl is the inspiring story of a mother and son coming to terms with gender dysphoria. When the documentary was filmed, Jon was just starting hormone therapy to develop more male characteristics. This book, written four years after the documentary, covers both the stuff seen in the documentary and the aftermath of the 'fame' and hormone treatment; as well as providing tips and reassurance to others in a similar situation.<br />
<br />
Jon was born as Natasha in 1992, and spent most of his childhood feeling different to other girls, and experienced some social isolation because of this. At the age of 15, after having to deal with his mum's bipolar illness, his parents divorce, bullying and his grandmother's passing, he attempted to take his own life and was hospitalised in an adolescent mental health ward. During this time Jon explored his sexuality and gender identity and found solace in a community of other LGBT youth, and eventually found the confidence to come out as transgender. The later part of the book deals with some of the issues associated with being transgender, such as sexual relationships and starting hormone treatment, and Jon, here more than anywhere else in the book, comes across as a well adjusted, happy, mature twenty year old. The book ends with a tender, heartwarming letter from Luisa to Jon, that will bring a tear of joy to any eye.<br />
<br />
The book is written with separate chapters written by Jon, and his mother Luisa, with them both offering different perspectives on events or periods of time in their lives. This is slightly off-putting at first, but the reader quickly gets used to the flips in narrator. The contents page makes it easier for those seeking information on a particular period of time to find that section; and there is a helpful glossary section for those new to the whole gender dsyphoria world.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/tv/common/images/publicity/1246_2_boyw_90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://www.abc.net.au/tv/common/images/publicity/1246_2_boyw_90.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon and Lusia Edwards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Overall, an informative quick read which will be of particular interest to those with gender dsyphoria and their families.<br />
<br />
The Boy Who Was Born a Girl is widely available, including as a Kindle e-book at <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BFTT6NM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00BFTT6NM&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B00BFTT6NM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for £3.66.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-29837434150559261492013-10-06T10:36:00.000+01:002013-10-06T10:36:00.492+01:00Review: Black Oil, Red Blood by Diane Castle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Black Oil, Red Oil is an Erin Brockovich style thriller
following lawyer Chloe Talyor as she fights to prove that the local oil refinery
gave her client’s husband cancer. As she struggles with her complicated
personal life, her case starts to fall apart when her expert witness is killed
days before the trial. With the big oil company and several in their pay trying
to stop her, will she manage to get justice for her client?</div>
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If you like a story with a message then this one is for you.
The author obviously doesn't like the petrochemical industry and the reader is
well aware of this by the end of the book as the characters occasionally become
puppets spouting anti-big oil rhetoric. There is nothing wrong with the
argument, I just question how overt it was in this novel, and it does detract
from the story. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The story itself is pretty much run of the mill for an
action-thriller. There’s a conspiracy, there’s danger, there’s explosions. You
are kept guessing over exactly who is in on the conspiracy and who isn't. I was
enjoying the story up until the events near the end of the book, which were rushed
and simply unbelievable. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me the characters were a little
2D and stereotypical. Miles, Chloe’s paralegal, comes across almost as a caricature
of a gay man, though he does provide a lot of humour in the novel. Nash, the
detective, is your all American man, who Chloe falls for. Chloe herself comes
across like Elle Woods from Legally Blonde; there is actually a scene talking
about clothes and shoes! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, the good – it’s fast, it’s fun
and there’s enough suspense to keep you reading. The bad – 2D characters, run-of-the-mill
story and a strong political message. Overall if you are looking for a serious
thriller then this is not for you; if you want a light summer read with a bit
of action then give it a go.<br />
<br />
Black Oil, Red Blood is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00759NLLO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00759NLLO&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon UK</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B00759NLLO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for £3.35 and from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00759NLLO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00759NLLO&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-20">Amazon US</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00759NLLO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for $5.10.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-90733262011931943332013-09-27T18:55:00.000+01:002013-09-27T18:55:15.613+01:00Review: Frozen Solid by James M. Tabor<div class="MsoNormal">
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Having thoroughly enjoyed The Deep Zone, I really wanted to
like Frozen Solid, the second Hallie Leland book in the series. In Frozen Solid
Hallie Leland is dispatched to <st1:place w:st="on">Antarctica</st1:place>
after her friend, carrying out research there, suddenly dies. Hallie is asked
to take over the research with only a week to go before the research station is
all but shut down for the winter. Almost as soon as she arrives people start
dying. Will Haillie be able to find out the cause before everyone leaves?</div>
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The plot of the book was very much my cup of tea, and I did
enjoy the idea of an outside group trying to control overpopulation in a
‘humane’ way but it all going wrong. The psychological aspects of the plot such
as the isolation, the fear of being watched and the ‘accidents’, serve to heighten
the tension, and I very much enjoyed this aspect of the book. </div>
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The character of Hallie Leland is well written and
believable. She is strong, but not overwhelming so. She is intelligent but not
all knowing, and there are some moments of weakness which add to the depth of
the character. The characterisation of Hallie is a strength of Frozen Solid,
and there are clear improvements to her character since The Deep Zone. </div>
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Frozen Solid is not without its frustrations. As a fan of
the more fast-paced thriller, and The Deep Zone certainly came under this
banner, Frozen Solid was a bit too slow to get started for me. Things don’t
kick off till over half way through. The first half of the book is a confusing kaleidoscope
of different characters, almost random scenes and the author going off on
tangents; this makes it quite hard work to follow and often left me feeling
frustrated. It is a shame that while Hallie is very well characterised; the
other characters are mostly unmemorable, which also contributes to the confused
feel of the book, as you try to remember who’s who. There is also frequent bad language, now I am
not a prude and feel that using swearing can enhance the story if used
correctly and sparingly, in this case it was not. </div>
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The science is there for fans of Sci-Med, and in the whole
is written in a way that shouldn't present a problem for readers who are not of
a scientific or medical bent, although don’t expect the science to be explained
every step of the way as it is in McClure or Crichton books. There are some
more technical terms but one of the benefits of reading on a Kindle is that any
terminology you don’t know can easily be looked up. Overall the science used is
believable but there are some subtle mistakes – for example, the events are set
in February and this is described as being dark and very cold, when in reality
there is 24 hour sunlight and the temperatures at the South Pole are a more
balmy -38°C rather than the -58°C found in winter. I can see that having 24 hour near darkness
is essential to ramp up the psychological tension, so why not set it during
March-September during southern winter. It makes no sense to say February and
then claim its winter, and it makes me wonder how well researched the book was.
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Overall, a pleasant Sci-Med thriller that fans of the genre
will want to read. Action/adventure fans may also want to give Frozen Solid a
go but may be put off by the amount of science and the slow, confused start.
This was a very hard book for me to rate as I did enjoy the story but it also
frustrated me, I settled for a 3 in the end as I did enjoy it but would caution
readers to be aware of some of the book’s issues before purchasing. </div>
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Frozen Solid is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009Y4I992/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B009Y4I992&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B009Y4I992" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for £14.97 for the Kindle Edition. </div>
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[A ARC was provided by NetGalley] </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-91773177097043125032013-09-22T13:46:00.000+01:002013-09-22T13:46:51.983+01:00Review: How do we know? by Kenny A. Chaffin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i5IIZt2ELWk/UgP3nnBHEaI/AAAAAAAAAPs/38GYYfpaajI/s1600/18169299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i5IIZt2ELWk/UgP3nnBHEaI/AAAAAAAAAPs/38GYYfpaajI/s200/18169299.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How do we know? is a back-to-basics science book for the
curious lay person. In a series of short essay like chapters it takes the
reader on a journey from the start of our planet to then modern man and AI,
explaining the basic science as you go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The book is written in a conversational style, with a
smattering of humour, which makes it easy and enjoyable to read. I even learnt
some new things, for example it had never occurred to me that iron ore deposits
were formed by Cyanobacteria in the ocean. The language used is generally accessible
for someone without a background in science as Chaffin explains concepts in
simple terms, however the general language used is still difficult in places,
so for educators, I wouldn’t recommend this for students younger than GCSE/A
Level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As each chapter is merely a brief summary of the topic the
author provides some helpful links at the end of each chapter, so that the
reader can read around the subject. I was somewhat surprised to see that many
of these links are to Wikipedia, which I find not to be the most accessible
source of further reading in terms of complexity, and is a website that I and
most other teachers discourage students from using, due to the sometimes erroneous information it
can contain. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall an enjoyable and informative read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> How do we know? is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DTIEZYW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00DTIEZYW&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon.co.uk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B00DTIEZYW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for £3.45 and from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DTIEZYW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DTIEZYW&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthehttps://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/associates/build-links/highlight_html._V192206877_.gifsou-20">Amazon.com</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00DTIEZYW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for $5.13.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[A review copy was provided by the author]</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-25803063801051419902013-09-16T22:03:00.000+01:002013-09-16T22:03:08.728+01:00Promo and Giveaway: Standard by Dani Pettrey<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/stranded.jpg"><img alt="stranded" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-582" height="200" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/stranded.jpg" width="129" /></a><strong> </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong> Stranded (Alaskan Courage #3)</strong>
When her friend vanishes from a cruise ship, reporter Darcy St. James isn't satisfied with their explanation that she simply left her job of her own accord. Something isn't lining up, and Darcy believes the only way to find the truth is to put herself in Abby's position. Within days, Darcy learns her friend wasn't the only person to disappear mysteriously. Last summer, a woman vanished under almost identical circumstances.
Gage McKenna has taken a summer-long stint leading adventure excursions for the passengers of various cruise lines that dock for a few days of sightseeing. He's surprised to find Darcy working aboard one of the ships, investigating a troubling report. Something sinister is going on and the deeper they dig the more Gage fears they've only discovered the tip of the iceberg.
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stranded-Alaskan-Courage-Dani-Pettrey/dp/0764209841?tag=blasttours-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a> * <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stranded-dani-pettrey/1114640087?ean=9780764209840" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/dani.jpg"><img alt="dani" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-583" height="133" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/dani-300x200.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Author Dani Pettrey</strong>
Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of one’s faith and plenty of romance. She’s a huge fan of dark chocolate, is always in search of the best iced mocha and her dream is to one day own a little cottage on a remote stretch of beach. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="http://www.danipettrey.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/danipettrey" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DaniPettrey" target="_blank">Facebook</a></strong></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2013/08/stranded-by-dani-pettrey-blog-tour-blast-sign-ups.html" target="_blank">Tour Schedule</a></div>
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<a href="http://bookblasttours.com/"><img alt="" height="101" src="http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee448/toobusyreading/bookblastfinal1.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>BookBlast Giveaway</strong>
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 10/6/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" target="_blank">I Am A Reader, Not A Writer</a> and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-5546292355756380702013-09-14T09:05:00.000+01:002013-09-14T09:05:50.681+01:00Review: The Cure by Doulgas E. Richards<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-UwWFF-oeg/Ugp42T9d7dI/AAAAAAAAAQs/tUd-Z-bn3-E/s1600/17669501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-UwWFF-oeg/Ugp42T9d7dI/AAAAAAAAAQs/tUd-Z-bn3-E/s200/17669501.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Cure follows graduate student Erin Palmer who due to a
close encounter with a psychopath in her childhood now studies them to
determine what makes them different to ‘normals’. Unbeknown to her supervisor
she is not just studying psychopaths but is experimenting on them, and with her
mysterious partner has finally discovered a genetic cure for the condition.
There are some who would do anything to stop Palmer succeeding, and soon Palmer
is on the run and unsure who to trust. Will she chose the right allies? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really liked how The Cure began as it had a good balance
of exciting action and science, we get to know and feel for Erin early on and
this helps draw the reader into the story, which in the first third of the book
is very believable. I was a bit perturbed when the story suddenly took a
fantastic leap into the unknown and introduced not one but seventeen races of extra-terrestrials
and a plot to save the Earth from humankind and an overwhelming alien threat.
As a fan of more realistic Sci-Fi this jolted me, and whilst I did enjoy the
rest of the story, the alien plot was just a little too unbelievable for me and
also a bit clichéd. The sudden introduction of all of this lead to lots of exposition,
which did become tedious after a while but there was plenty of action which
kept me going, in addition to several interesting twists and terms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whilst not what I was expecting, The Cure turned out to be
very readable, as long as you checked your disbelief in at the door. Aside from
the psychopath thing, the plot is pretty run of the mill for Sci-Fi but works
well. I would recommend this to fans of action-based alien Sci-Fi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Cure will be available in dead tree format from September 18th from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0765374099/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0765374099&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon.co.uk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0765374099" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
and from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765374099/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0765374099&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-20">Amazon.com</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0765374099" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">[An ARC was provided through NetGalley]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-25380409099694362312013-09-08T08:14:00.000+01:002013-09-08T08:16:48.344+01:00Review: Buried by Kendra Elliot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A school bus full of children goes missing on summer’s afternoon
and the children disappear without a trace. Two years later a lone survivor,
Chris Jacobs, walks out of the woods and into the arms of his parents. He
claims to have no memory of where he has been or what happened to the others. </div>
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Buried takes place years after the school bus goes missing
and follows Jamie Jacobs (Chris Jacob’s estranged sister) and Michael Brody (the
brother of one of the still missing children). The bunker where Chris Jacobs
was kept captive has been discovered, along with the bodies of all but one of
the missing children, Daniel Brody, Michael Brody’s brother. Michael makes it
his mission to find out what happened that fatal day, but will he cope with
what he finds out…</div>
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Buried kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and was a
book I finished in one sitting. The story has a good pace, and unlike some
thrillers, I was kept guessing right until the end. There is a big surprise near
the end of the book, which was very thought provoking and was something I would
never have guessed. </div>
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I have not read the previous two stories in the series, but
was pleasantly surprised that this wasn't required, and I felt like I didn't
miss anything by having not read the rest of the series. It is always a sign of
a good writer, when you can read a book either as part of a series or as a true
stand alone. </div>
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The thing for me that let down Buried was the romantic
aspect. I know, I know, it’s a romantic suspense novel so has romance, but I truly
felt that the book was very strong without the romance, and that the romance
(or random sex scenes) detracted from what was a very good suspense thriller. I
fear the mere mention of romance in the genre will put off readers who
otherwise would really enjoy this book. </div>
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Overall, a very solid read, and readers should not be put
off by the romance, jarring though it is. A word of warning: apart from some explicit
sex and language, this book deals with some difficult topics, and as such is
not one for younger readers. </div>
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Buried is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009KP9VIS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B009KP9VIS&linkCode=as2&tag=tomofthesou-21">Amazon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tomofthesou-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B009KP9VIS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for £3.99.<br />
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[A review copy was provided]</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529394025306063243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113998450352190389.post-91951268478776150462013-09-04T06:00:00.000+01:002013-09-04T06:00:04.215+01:00Promo and Giveaway: Lion's Head Deception by Chuck Waldron <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1c7BKq14fHk/Uh8K5ycjjEI/AAAAAAAAAU8/SP4Jg1yhtUw/s1600/Lion's+Head+Deception+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1c7BKq14fHk/Uh8K5ycjjEI/AAAAAAAAAU8/SP4Jg1yhtUw/s320/Lion's+Head+Deception+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lion's Head Deception is a new dystopian novel by Chuck Waldron set amongst rioting and unrest in a destabilized city. Check out the trailer below: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Purchase your copy:</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lions-Head-Deception-Chuck-Waldron/dp/1626463689" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lions-head-deception-chuck-waldron/1115564277" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">BARNES & NOBLE</a></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pump Up Your Book and Chuck Waldron are also giving away a Kindle Fire HD to promote Lion's Head Deception. You can sign up below for your chance to win:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1a49cf90/" id="rc-1a49cf90" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>T&Cs</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 25px;"><ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
<li>By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.</li>
<li>One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one Kindle Fire HD.</li>
<li>This giveaway begins August 5 and ends October 31.</li>
<li>Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, November 4, 2013.</li>
<li>Winner has 48 hours to reply.</li>
<li>Only U.S. citizens can win the Kindle Fire but if you are an international winner, you will be sent $200 Paypal Cash. Must have Paypal account to enter.</li>
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