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Sue’s Fingerprint by Andrew D. Carlson

Sue’s Fingerprint by Andrew D. Carlson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

Book Summary:A gel-like substance is suddenly discovered across the country. Ted Stevens, a Director in the Department of Homeland Security, is assigned to investigate. He enlists the help of scientists at a government laboratory to analyze the ‘goo’. They discover the substance was sent to Earth and has unique properties; it can clone animals. Ted soon learns the substance can also clone humans.

Sue is the first of eleven new people cloned from the alien substance. She and the others are contained by Ted on an abandoned military base. While there, the clones receive a message. Sue decides she must deliver it, and one morning they find she’s gone.

During the recovery of Sue, Ted learns of the clones’ message and begins to understand their true intentions. He needs to know more about the clones, so he collects samples for DNA fingerprint testing. The fate of the new people will be decided by the results from Ted’s friends at the laboratory.

This type of story is my favorite type of Science Fiction. An event that produces extraordinary results which could prove disasterous. A team of scientists experimenting, speculating and debating the purpose of the event and the government trying to conceal and control it. In the case of Sue’s Fingerprint, the presence of the clones poses the obvious risk of panic. The unknown is an automatic enemy and the people closest to these clones are rightfully wary however, with time, they cannot see anything other than human behavior and emotion from them.

The story becomes a type of analogy to human rights. Rights of the innocent. In the case of the clones, are they genetically different from their original counterpart? If not, then do we have the right to lock them up and treat them as the enemy?

I have to give the concept of this story a 4+ star rating. The 3.5 star final rating is due to the lack of complexity in some of the characters. I also found the telling of the story to be a bit simplistic as well.

Having said that, I have worked with several people in the scientific community. Oftentimes these men and women tend to dumb things down a bit for us regular folk. Andrew D. Carlson has an extensive background in science and there is a possibility that that is the case.

In conclusion I like where Mr. Carlson is going. This is his debut novel, there was meat in the story. I am going to be watching him because I have a feeling he is going to be one of my favorites.

I recommend this to all fictions lovers, science and other!

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Posted by novelopinion on October 17, 2011 in Review, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction

ARC Twisted Vengeance by Jeff Bennington

10 Oct

4 Stars!

Another great Thriller from Jeff Bennington!

The first book I read from Jeff was Reunion and It is one of my favorites. I love his type of scary! Paranormal, evil, invisible and uncontrollable. Twisted Vengeance does not disappoint!

Here is the book summary: Detective Rick Burns’ life is falling apart. His four-year old son is dead, his brother butchered, he’s in love with the one woman he can’t have and he’s investigating a slew of unsolved murders of violent, domestic abusers.

When a mysterious boy enters his life, things only get worse.

The boy knows the victims. He knows about Rick’s fears. And he knows about Debil, the serial killer with a lust for death.

Determined to help the detective find the perpetrator, the boy ushers Rick into a nightmarish chase where reality and the supernatural are blurred, nearly costing him his life, his love, and his reputation in a storm of domestic vengeance that is so twisted you won’t be able to stop reading until you discover the awful truth.

Twisted Vengeance opens in the midst of an investigation in to some very horrific murders. Detective Rick Burns is already on the case and called in to the newest crime scene.

There is no tough-cop morgue humor going on here. This murder is heinous and all investigators on scene are having a hell of a time coping. Especially Rick.

Rick has seen and experienced a lot of tragedy in his life. From witnessing the death of his mother as a toddler, losing a child and the loss of a brother whom he looked up to he has seen it all. Or so he thought. He considers his brother to have been an excellent detective and struggles with comparing himself to his brothers image.

When a young boy mysteriously shows up and starts leading Rick to new crime scenes, he starts to question his own sanity.

I have to say again, I really like Jeff’s idea of scary. It suits me. Nothing is more frightening than an evil you can’t explain. Serial killers and monsters, while intrinsically unexplainable, can be categorized and usually killed. You can’t kill a force of evil. *shudder* And while, in movies, you can get a Priest or a scientist or the Ghost Busters to save your butt, Jeff doesn’t provide that kind of warm and fuzzy fix in his stories. I’m glad because it takes an awful lot to creep me out.

The so-called ‘victims’ at the crime scene are abusers and leave no room for sympathy but an officer of the law must remain impartial and even though you want to tell Rick to stop wandering off alone following a creepy kid to God knows where, you can’t and therefore you are stuck along for the ride.

Twisted Vengeance will be ready for release soon and I highly recommend it. Nothing says Halloween like a good scarin’ and Jeff Bennington will bring it!

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Posted by novelopinion on October 10, 2011 in ARC, Horror, Look at this!, Review, Thriller

Tags: Horror, review, Thriller

Wired by Martha Randolph Carr

30 Sep

Wired by Martha Randolph Carr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine surviving a brutal attack. One where the obvious conclusion is your death but somehow you get away. Now imagine you are only 15yrs old, terrified to get help from the police and unable to confide in your mother.
Fifteen years into the future is where you will begin this story. Mary Elizabeth has a family now. A husband and beautiful son but there is something missing in her soul. Her heart doesn’t seem complete and those closest to her have begun to distance themselves. Her husband Charlie knows something has been wrong with Mary Elizabeth for some time but is unable to get her to talk with him, so he avoids the problem. Her young son is obviously much more closer to Charlie.
I found the beginning of this thriller to be very dark and oppressive. I identified with Charlie but found I truly disliked Mary Elizabeth. This was at once awkward and authentic to me.
There is an unwritten rule most of us subscribe to when we read a thriller or suspense story like Wired. We will ALWAYS identify and like the main character. Most especially if she is a victim. The problem with this is it isn’t always reasonable.
Given the circumstances of Wired and the role Mary Elizabeth has been given by Martha Randolph Carr, there is no way you will believe she is a strong, loving, sympathetic character.
I promise you this, you will understand her and you will eventually empathize with her.

Here is the book summary:Will the truth set you free or get you killed?
Mary Elizabeth and Charlie’s marriage is fading away as Charlie tries to just get along and Mary Elizabeth struggles not to disappear completely. A murdered teenager is discovered at the local teenage hangout on a bluff high above main street bringing back memories to Mary Elizabeth that she would rather forget but may hold the key to saving an entire town. But when the bodies keep popping up everyone must struggle with feelings of guilt, shame and redemption.

Martha Randolph Carr does and exceptional job in the creation of Mary. The building of tension is felt by all characters and I felt it as well. As most people who have read my reviews know, I put great stock in characters. I just have to believe them in most cases. There is always the exception but if you feel as I do, pick up this fantastic read!

About Martha!

Martha Randolph Carr is the author of three books and has a weekly, nationally syndicated column through the Cagle Cartoon syndicate on politics, national interest topics and life in general. Her newest work, The List is a political thriller set around the attorney, Wallis Jones her husband Norman and their son Ned. The List is the first in a series. Martha is currently at work on the sequel, The Keeper.

Martha is also a melanoma survivor, Chi runner, occasional rower and skydiver and mother to Louie. She resides near her son in Chicago, IL, where everyone is always welcome to stay for dinner.

All questions about rights to any materials can be directed to: Rachelle Gardner, Rachelle@WordServeLiterary.com

Yet Another Fantastic Blog Tour by Novel Publicity! Don’t forget the CONTEST!

Enter to win 1 of 3 free paperback copies of this novel on the
official Wired blog tour page. The winner of the give-away will be announced
on Wednesday, October 26 – be sure to enter before then! Just can’t wait to read Wired?
Pick up your copy in the Kindle, Nook , or iTunes stores or visit Smashwords with the coupon code AK95A to receive a
discounted price (just $2)!

Don’t forget to vote for my blog in the traffic-breaker poll for this tour. The blogger with the
most votes wins an Amazon gift card and a special winner’s badge. I want that to be me! You
can vote in the poll by visiting the official Wired blog tour page and scrolling
all the way to the bottom.

Learn more about this author by visiting her website, Facebook or GoodReads pages or by connecting with
her on Twitter. You’ll
definitely want to check out Martha’s Mystery Blog–each week a new short thriller is serialized
Monday through Friday. The entries are nice and short, easy to read via smart phone or tablet.
It’s all at www.MarthaCarr.com.

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Posted by novelopinion on September 30, 2011 in Blog Tour, Look at this!, Review, Thriller

Between the Land and Sea by Derrolyn Anderson

27 Sep

Between the Land and the Sea by Derrolyn Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mermaids! How cool is that? In a group of genres, (PNR,YA,Fantasy YA),normally inundated with Vamps, Werewolves, Demons, and Witches a Mermaid story was refreshing!

Here is the book Summary: Something extraordinary is lurking in the deep ocean waters off the coast of Aptos, California. Just a few weeks after moving to the beach town, sixteen year-old Marina has nearly drowned twice, enchanted the hottest guy in high school, and discovered a supernatural creature. If she can manage to survive her increasingly dangerous encounters with unpredictable mermaids, she might just be able to unlock the mystery of her past and learn how to appease the mysterious forces that seem to want something from her… and maybe even find true love along the way.
Derrolyn Anderson knows exactly what young women want to read. Between the Land and Sea has a down to earth protagonist in Marina. Lovable secondary characters. A cute surfer, rich ‘aunt’, designer clothes and an exciting mystery.

I had fun losing myself in this story and remembering what my teenage years were like. Derrolyn’s character’s were very likable and her story well thought out.

I HIGHLY recommend this to lovers of YA but I also encourage older women like me to pick this up for a pick-me up!

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Posted by novelopinion on September 27, 2011 in Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Review, Young Adult

Matanzas Bay (A Quint Mitchell Mystery) by Parker Francis

17 Sep

Matanzas Bay by Parker Francis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Parker Francis is a smooth operator, so is his new fictional P.I., Quint Mitchell!
Now when I say smooth, I’m not referring to the nature of a ‘Ladies Man’ although Quint Mitchell is one hot detective and I know Parker Francis AKA Victor DiGenti is pretty smokin’ himself. The writing style Parker Francis uses is smooth. He and his character Quint Mitchell guided me into a clever mystery and before I knew it, I was immersed in the story and environment. I could not put this down.

Here is the book summary:When PI Quint Mitchell volunteered to help with an archaeological survey in St. Augustine, he didn’t count on digging up a murder victim. In the nation’s oldest city, Mitchell discovers links to ancient sins, comes face to face with his own past, and unleashes powerful forces that will do anything to keep their secrets—even if it means taking his life. In this award-winning debut mystery, author Parker Francis taps into an undercurrent of violence hidden behind the sleepy façade of the historic town. When Mitchell’s friend, the City Archaeologist, is charged with a brutal murder, he must find the true killer while fighting inner demons and the corrosive residue of racial violence dating back to the Civil Rights Movement. As he learns, St. Augustine was birthed in blood—Matanzas means “place of slaughter” in Spanish—and violence is never far from the surface.

Quint Mitchell is a complex character without trying too hard. Mr.Francis crafts his past and likable personality as smoothly as he crafted this book. I truly liked Quint and easily empathized with him as he struggles with his tragic past and faces danger as he tries to clear his friend of murder. The supporting characters were interesting and believable. The environment is rich as Francis describes the historical city of St. Augustine. All this contributed to a pleasurable read and I cannot recommend this story loudly enough to mystery lovers. I look forward to the next Quint Mitchell Mystery and, (hopefully), the many that follow!

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Posted by novelopinion on September 17, 2011 in Crime Drama, Look at this!, Mystery, Review

Tags: Detective, Murder, Mystery, review

The Other Room by James Everington

15 Sep

The Other Room by James Everington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Summary: The Other Room is a collection of weird horror fiction, containing twelve stories of the uncanny and the surreal.

A naive student finds that his crumbling bedsit can be as haunted as any Gothic mansion.

A man stumbles across another world which is the mirror image of his own.

A young woman who everyone thinks is beautiful wonders why, given what she sees in the mirror each morning.

Influenced by writers such as Ramsey Campbell, Shirley Jackson, and Robert Aickman these tales, like all good horror stories, are as much about the psychology of the protagonist as the fate that awaits them.

The Other Room contains both new and previously published stories that will challenge your conceptions of horror and literary fiction.

The Other Room is brain candy. Each story challenges you as you try to guess what is really going on. The first story, which shares the title of this collection, was reminiscent of The Twilight Zone complete with the feeling that things aren’t right in a very bad way. I found myself trying to trump the author and predict the ending. Didn’t work.

I read on to the second story, it had a different feel altogether. A sense of impending doom with no obvious reason why. I found that with each story, James Everington created an atmosphere of expectancy and uncertainty. More importantly, James Everington involves the reader by insisting they draw their own conclusions at the story’s end. I spent time digesting the story, pondering the implications of what the characters experienced. To me, this made The Other Room brilliant. There is nothing I like more than for the story to continue on it’s own after the last word is written.

Although this collection of short stories is described as Horror Fiction, I think Speculative Fiction is a perfect fit as well.

My new goal in life is to read a full length novel written by Mr. Everington. I know the experience will be with me for a long time.

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Posted by novelopinion on September 15, 2011 in Horror, Review, Short Stories, Speculative Fiction

Tags: Book Review, Everington, Horror, Speculative Fiction

Toonopolis: Gemini by Jeremy Rodden

07 Sep

Toonopolis: Gemini by Jeremy Rodden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So. Much. Fun.

Jeremy Rodden has a gift! He sees eye-to-eye with young people. He doesn’t talk down to them, he doesn’t overwhelm them and yet despite the high entertainment factor, there is valuable life lessons in his story.

Here is the book summary: Toonopolis is a cartoon city that is home to the thoughts and ideas of all sentient beings in the universe. As the center of the Tooniverse, it acts as an other-worldly rest stop for these creations.
Gemini is a teenage human boy who is thrust into Toonopolis through his father’s scientific research program. He loses part of himself in the process and immediately begins a quest to regain his lost memories with the help of his Tooniverse guide named Jimbob the Talking Eggplant.

After an altercation with a mysterious Shadowy Figure, Gemini’s mission is changed, and he begins a new quest to defeat Shadowy Figure and protect Toonopolis from his nefarious destruction. Along the way, he meets new friends, discovers just how diverse and strange Toonopolis is, and learns lessons about compassion, forgiveness, redemption, and being true to oneself.

Think of all the fantasies you had as a kid. Did you have an imaginary friend? A monster under the bed? Did you dream up funny characters to entertain yourself? Well, I know where they are. Toonopolis, of course.

What an awesome and colorful world! What a lovable bunch of characters! Throw in the great adventure and subtle humor even an adult can laugh at and you have all of the necessary makings for an adult and child to enjoy together. As a bonus, Jeremy Rodden adds down to earth wisdom everyone can use!

This isn’t written in a way as to alienate an adult who reads to their children at bedtime. Mr. Rodden cleverly used a writing style that all ages can relate to.
I loved it and I recommend it to everyone!

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Posted by novelopinion on September 7, 2011 in Action/Adventure, Children, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Humor, Review

Tags: children, graphic novel, Humor, Toonopolis

First Chosen (Tears of Rage) by M. Todd Gallowglas

04 Sep

First Chosen by M. Todd Gallowglas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.75 Stars!

OK, I probably need to explain the 3.75 star rating. It’s an odd number, true, but although I thoroughly enjoyed this story there was something nagging at me while I read it. I finally figured out as I finished and my problem was I wanted a little more. A little more background into the hierarchy of gods, a little more depth into the characters and a little more World-building.
Having said that, this novel did not disappoint me at all. I felt the premise was unique, the battles and type of magic used are very entertaining and I wanted more. Epic Fantasy of any kind should leave the reader wanting more, that is what defines them as Epic.

Here is the book summary: <i. FIRST CHOSEN is the story of Julianna, a noble from the conquered kingdom of Koma. In her moment of greatest need, she frees an ancient god, Grandfather Shadow, from his thousand-year prison. He names her his high priest and to lead his people to greatness once again. Her greatest obstacle: it is a capital crime for any of her people to worship one of the five ancient gods. While evading Inquisitors of All Father Sun and the followers of the god of death, Julianna must learn to use the vast power that Grandfather Shadow has given her in order to survive long enough to unite Grandfather Shadow's fractured people.

And so begins, TEARS OF RAGE a dark, epic fantasy about the power of faith and belief, where even though the gods can inspire these qualities in mortals, it is those same mortals that truly control the religions that form from any god’s divine inspiration. It is also a swashbuckling tale of political intrigue where men scheme against each other and the gods, and how friendship, loyalty, and faith can help people persevere through the darkest times.

M. Todd Gallowglas has an epically great story at his fingertips. I will read the second installment of First Chosen and I promise that most of you will love this fresh Fantasy. Those of us that read a lot of Epic Fantasy may want more as I described previous, but will still enjoy this novel as I did.

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Posted by novelopinion on September 4, 2011 in Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Review

Tags: Fantasy, review

Crude Sunlight by Philip Tucker

02 Sep

Crude Sunlight by Philip Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not only has Philip Tucker created an atmosphere of fear in this novel, he also highlights the weakness of human self interest and the damage it can do to the people around you.

Here is the book summary: Down in the depths below Buffalo’s abandoned State Insane Asylum the shadows writhe and wait, hungry for a new cycle of revenge and despair.

Into their web of madness disappears Henry, forcing his older brother to begin a search that will lead Thomas into the darkest corners of his soul.

For the dangers that lurk in the interstices of Buffalo’s haunted heart care not for flesh but for the substance of the spirit, the resilience of the mind and the strength of one’s will to survive.

And Thomas, fleeing as he is his own troubled life, soon finds his very sense of self under attack.

Accompanied by Julia, his younger brother’s tormented ex-girlfriend, Thomas forces himself to walk the same downward spiral that claimed Henry.

But the hunger that Henry awoke has broken stronger men than Thomas, shattered their minds and consumed them whole in the darkness. What hope does Thomas have in the face of such ravening despair?

CRUDE SUNLIGHT is a tale of modern psychological horror that will appeal to fans of SILENT HILL, THE RING and Shirley Jackson. Complete at 85,000 words (about 350 pages), CRUDE SUNLIGHT will haunt you long after the final page has been turned.

Crude Sunlight appears, at first, a story of a haunted insane asylum and I expected people to get killed off one by one until the hero finds his brother and they ride off into the proverbial sunset.
By the way, that would have been fine with me because I love scary, gory horror but Philip Tucker went deeper.
The building with the creepy sounds and sights is NOT the focus of the story. Thomas is. His lack of prior involvement in his younger brothers life causes him to wait months before making an effort to find Henry. Assuming Henry is off partying it up or what have you, Thomas is in for a surprise when he stumbles onto the knowledge of what Henry was doing in the days preceding his disappearance.
Julia, Henry’s ex-girlfriend seems indifferent to Thomas and his belated quest to find his brother but Mr. Tucker gives us a glimpse of Julia’s soul which suggests differently. It is also disturbing.
The antipathy in Thomas’s life has put his marriage in jeopardy and the search for Henry starts out as an excuse to get outta town and avoid his own problems.
He ropes his best friend into helping him, when he knows things could tun out bad, but is not overly worried at involving him.
When things do get wildly out of hand, Thomas has to re-think his true purpose and decide exactly how much he cares for friends and family and what he is willing to do for them.

Do not mistake the character work I am describing as a complete picture of Crude Sunlight. It is a real and clever part of the story Philip Tucker has crafted but beware, this story is gonna scare the crap out of you. Philip Tucker doesn’t create monsters you can kill or control or reason with. The evil that Thomas has to face will make the hair on your arms stand up.
This story has all the makings of a great Horror read with a dash of Speculative Fiction and human psychology thrown in to make things a little more real. I loved it and I am positive fans of this genre will too!

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Posted by novelopinion on September 2, 2011 in Ghost story, Horror, Review, Speculative Fiction

Tags: Horror, review, Speculative Fiction

My Novel Affair by Sinara Ellis

26 Aug

My Novel Affair by Sinara Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Summary: To-Do List Kill Casey Lattimer. Let Larry destroy Gary, once and for all. Feed my great white shark and sand-trap serpent. Fall in love with someone who isn’t insensitive and self-absorbed. Find the Holy Grail of orgasms. Fine, I’ll be serious. My Actual To-Do list. Buy ice cream, and find a real happy ending, outside of my own imagination…

I have to start by saying that the book summary does not do this original story justice! When I started My Novel Affair I expected a regular Chick Lit style read. Well, it is great Chick Lit but so much fun and so very clever.

OK, try and stay with me here. Sinara Ellis is the author of The Detective Lattimer Series which contains six installments thus far. Sinara Ellis is also the main character in My Novel Affair. Sinara is tired of Detective Casey Lattimer who is the main character in her popular Detective Lattimer Series. Casey gets all the attention. She is tough, sexy, gritty and sexually free. She has all the fun and pays no emotional price for it. Sinara, however, never sees her golf playing, insensitive, no sexual talent husband who also happens to be her editor. His only apparent interest in Sinara is whether she is meeting her deadline on the next Lattimer installment. How else can he golf at all the exclusive courses?

Dreadfully fed up with her Lattimer Series, Sinara considers killing her off but knows that her agent and her husband will cause trouble.

On a book tour, Sinara finds a Bodice-Ripper Romance and decides that is what she really wants. To write a funny, passionate romance. Enter Alexis Perry. The main Character of Sinara’s next book…and also a main character in this one as well.

What follows is a rip roaring adventure of two, (or is it three?), women looking to find romance and a slice of life to make them excited again. To refresh their careers and renew themselves.
I was enchanted and entertained. This story switches seamlessly between Sinara and Alexis. I could not wait to see how it would end and I have become a huge fan of Sinara Ellis in the process. Both of them!

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