A crack in the world

 a truly unique and unforgettable read

My review

Mordechai does a masterful job of blending together elements of cosmic horror,
detective fiction, and occultism to create a truly unique and suspenseful read.
The story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are well-developed
and relatable.

One of the things that I enjoyed most about A Crack in the World is the way
that Mordechai weaves real-world history and events into the story.
This adds an extra layer of authenticity and realism to the story.

Another thing that I appreciated is the way that Mordechai handles the
occult elements of the story. He does not shy away from the darker
aspects of occultism, but he also does not glorify it. Instead, he presents
it as a complex and dangerous force that should be treated with respect.

Overall, A Crack in the World is a well-written and suspenseful novel that
is sure to appeal to fans of cosmic horror, detective fiction, and occultism.
I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a truly unique
and unforgettable read.

Of course I give a 5 star rating for this unique book! 

The author

James Mordechai writes New Weird books and enjoys the placid seas
of anonymity. There is no biography other than his books.

Although not quite known in this world, James Mordechai's work has
been extensively read, studied and acclaimed in other realities. 

More about James Mordechai on this link

The book

Format: 281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published : March 1, 2023 by Amazon KDP

Language: English

Available: on Amazon

Booktasters

As always I want to thank Booktasters and the author as well for 

providing me a free copy in return for my honest review, which I 
did. But I also want to thank Booktasters and the author for their
patience, because due the summer season and the busy months of
September/October it took a while that I had time to read and 
review this book very well! So, thank you! 

Mystery in the Metaverse

 a suspenseful novel

My review

Mystery at the Metaverse is a gripping thriller novel by Nick Airus
that explores the dark side of the metaverse, a virtual world where
anything is possible. 

Airus does a masterful job of creating a believable and immersive
metaverse world. The novel is full of vivid descriptions of the metaverse's
landscapes, characters, and technologies. Airus also explores the ethical
and social implications of the metaverse in a thoughtful way.

The mystery itself is well-crafted and suspenseful. Airus keeps the reader
guessing until the very end. The characters are also well-developed and relatable. 

Overall, Mystery at the Metaverse is a highly recommended read for fans of
thrillers, science fiction, and the metaverse. It's a fast-paced and suspenseful
novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Here are some of the things I liked about the novel:

* The metaverse world is well-created and believable.

* The mystery is well-crafted and suspenseful.

* The characters are well-developed and relatable.

* The novel explores the ethical and social implications of the
metaverse in a thoughtful way.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys thrillers, science
fiction, or the metaverse. Therefore I give without any doubts a 5 star rating.

The author

To know more about Nick Airus, check his website on next link. 

The book

Mystery in the metaverse is available from August 11th. 2023. 

It contains 311 pages and is for the ages 16-18 year.

The book is available on Amazon.

Booktasters

I want to thank Booktasters for providing me a free copy in return
for my honest review, which, of course, I did. Thank you so much! 

Maelstrom of Darkness

 A great thriller

My review

Maelstrom of Darkness is the second book in the Alex Schofield series,
and it picks up right where the first book left off. 

Maelstrom of Darkness is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that will
keep you on the edge of your seat. The plot is well-crafted and the
characters are well-developed. The book also explores some interesting
ethical questions about the potential dangers of biological research.

If you are a fan of thrillers or science fiction, then you will definitely
enjoy Maelstrom of Darkness. It is a well-written and thought-provoking
novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Here are some of the things that I liked about the book:

* The plot is fast-paced and suspenseful.

* The characters are well-developed and believable.

Overall, I enjoyed Maelstrom of Darkness and I would recommend
it to fans of thrillers or science fiction. Without any doubt I give a
5* rating of Maelstrom of Darkness.

The Author

In 2022 I made an Author in the picture blogpost about D.W. Whitlock.

You can read it on this link. 

Cult of Darkness

👉 Check also my review about the first book of the series:

Cult of Darkness on this link

Servitude

 An exciting read

My review

Recently I read "Servitude" from Costi Curgu. I must say, the book really got
me from the beginning till the end. I was very keen to know the complete
story. It has a great main character and a fantastic plot. 

Servitude is a must read for everyone who likes a story full of action.
Without any doubt I give a five star rating for this exciting read. 

The book

More details about the book:

Format 320 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2022 by Kult Books

ISBN 9781738659302

Language English

It's available on Amazon

The author

The author of Servitude is Costi Gurgu. He has his own website, check it
on this link.

Booktasters

Of course I want to thank Booktasters and the author as well for providing
me a free copy, in return of my honest review, which I did.  

The offering

A heavy read

Summary

Is it possible to hold onto hope when you lose everything else?

Tariq Abbassi, hospitalized and disoriented, has trouble reconciling
the life he imagined with the one that greets him upon waking in a
trauma center. Soon enough, he realizes the reason behind his current
condition: both of his beloved sons died after a horrific act of negligence.
Struggling to face the dark truth, no matter the cost, he must sift through
his confused memories to resolve how he got here.

My Review

I enjoyed reading this book, although it didn't draw my attention
immediately, due to the flashbacks.

However, the Offering had lots of plots, a very interesting main
character and an open ending. 

I liked the writing style and the story, although it was a very heavy

read.

I would recommend the Offering to all who like to read, fiction and
thrillers told in a novel.

I give a 5 star rating, because the end made me very curious.

Booktasters

I want to thank Booktasters and the author, Salah El Moncef as well

for providing me a free copy in return of my honest review, which I 
did. 

Author in the picture: D.W. Whitlock

One of the first books I ever reviewed via Booktasters was Crucible of Fear,
written by D.W. Whitlock. I was very honoured to read and review another
wonderful book from the author: Cult of Darkness . That's why I was keen
to invite this excellent writer for the author in the picture blog post. So here
are the questions.

Can you tell us a bit more about D.W. Whitlock?

 I've worked a lot of jobs over the years from lake dock worker to electrician
to animation for television and games. I've met so many amazing people
from all walks of life and those experiences have been invaluable for
shaping characters and stories. 

Could you tell us something more about the Cult of Darkness?

 I've always been fascinated by ancient cultures, specifically the Maya,
and I've always wanted to tell a story that captures their rich history with
as much respect as possible. One of the themes of Cult of Darkness is
cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation, and I have characters
in the story on opposing sides of this theme. The most important thing for
me was no aliens. The Maya culture is rich with history and incredible stories
and trying to explain their advanced stone masonry skills and writing
system by extra terrestrial intervention is insulting, I believe. They were
bloody yet brilliant. That should be enough!

 What are your other interests other than writing?

I'm a lifetime gamer and being able to play video games now with my son
is a true joy. One of my other passions is riding my Triumph Scrambler
motorcycle. For me, I've discovered the best therapy can be found on two wheels. 

What are you most afraid of?

Wouldn't you like to know! (It's tarantulas. I hate them!)

Do you have favorite book characters?

I do. My favorite book of all time is Swan Song by Robert McCammon and
I love all the characters in this book. Sister, Josh Hutchins, Swan,
Alvin Mangrim, Colonel Jimbo Macklin, Roland Croninger and the many
others in this incredible book. I love them all.

How do you choose your topics?

I retain a lot of useless information and facts about my interests: Film,
books, science, emerging technology, video games, interesting people, etc.
My mind tends to wander and mull over these subjects. That is usually
when my ideas come. This usually happens before I sleep or while I'm
not able to write ideas down. In the shower, taking a walk, driving. 

Do you have a special daily (writing) routine?

Usually just fire up the laptop and go over my outline to remind me where
I'm at in the story. My dog, Nikki, loves to snuggle up when I write so that helps :)

Can you recommend some places close to your hometown or country
for (thriller) authors?

Nothing particular comes to mind, but I do use Google Earth to virtually
visit locations that I research for my books. 

Have you any other writing plans?

Someday I'd like to branch out and possibly write horror novels, as well
as another action thriller series.

What is your wish for 2022 and for the near future?

I'd love to sell as many copies of Cult of Darkness and Crucible of Fear of
course and reach as many readers as I can. A book isn't truly complete until
it is read and enjoyed by someone. Or hated. As long as I invoke an emotional
response, I'm happy. 

Where do you find D.W. Whitlock on Social Media?

website: https://www.dwwhitlock.com/
Twitter: @ddubwhitlock
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D-W-Whitlock/e/B08T1T6LNH?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1653321138&sr=8-1

Thank you very much for this 'interview' and I really hope all your wishes 
come true. Keep up the good writing work! 

Cult of Darkness

An exciting thriller!

Summary

The cartels in Mexico have splintered, triggering violent conflict over control
of the illicit drug trade. One has risen to power above all others with its brutal
methods: The Riviera. Led by a shadowy figure known only as Kukulkan,
this powerful cartel has become the main source of Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid
fifty times more potent than heroin. As mutilated bodies appear on the pristine
white sands of local beach communities, investors fear for the worst…their time
of peaceful prosperity has come to an end.

When the only son of a wealthy family goes missing in the heart of Mexico’s
Yucatan Peninsula, Alex Schofield is sent in to find him. A highly trained
ex-Delta soldier, he’s the best man for the job. There’s only one catch:
he has sworn to never kill again.

Amid the escalating conflict, a darkness grows among the dense forests and
Maya ruins. As the search brings Schofield closer, he must confront his own
violent past and decide if bloodshed is once again, the only way.

My Review

I already read and reviewed the Crucible of Fear  and now the Cult of Darkness.

I really enjoyed the Cult of Darkness due to the plot lines, the characters and the
historical Maya things. It was very detailed and fluently written. I also liked the
characters as well. And what a fantastic book cover!

Who should read this book? Well anyone who likes thrillers with slices
of history.

With lots of pleasure, I give this book a 5 star rating, due to the the exciting
and well written story

The author

D.W. Whitlock, author of Crucible of Fear, has been a storyteller for most
of his life. Starting with short stories scribbled in crayon, animation flip-books,
stop-motion and later CG animation for television and video games. 

While pursuing a career in animation, writing has always been the first
step, from short descriptions to detailed backstories. As a life-long reader
and book lover, crafting thriller novels felt like the natural evolution of those
first forays into writing.

When not writing, D.W. enjoys gaming, spending time with his family
and Triumph Motorcycles.

D.W. lives in California with his wife, son and dog, Nikki.

Bookreview: Tionsphere

Intriguing! 

Summary

For a million years, the human population was less than 26,000 people.
By the year 2060, ten billion individuals crowded the planet.

As humanity faced its greatest challenge, two global corporations merge to
deliver a radical solution: the construction of concentric spheres encircling the
world. For almost a thousand years, the new world was astonishingly empty,
but as the tionsphere approaches capacity, its universal processing service starts
to fail, threatening the lives of the obsessively-connected people.

Caitlyn and her small team of contract theorists accept the impossible task of
understanding why. They discover individuals who seemingly pre-date the
tionsphere, including one who plans to destroy everything within Tion’s spheres.
Pazel is intent on killing thousands of billions of people to preserve an elite
population tailored to his own desires.

Set on an immense scale, Tionsphere follows ordinary workers surviving in a
world overflowing with people distracted by their technology and threatened
by a life without it.

My Review

This heavy book takes the reader into the future and especially the overpopulation.

The author introduces you to several main characters. The story really intrigued me
and I couldn't decide whether it was a thriller or a science fictions story.

Overall I enjoyed this book very much and I would recommend it to readers who
are interested in the future.

I give this with lots of pleasure a 5 star rating! 

The author

J.C. Gemmell was born in Falkirk, Scotland, and received his B.A. in
Computer Studies and a Master’s Degree in Applied Science from the
University of Portsmouth, UK. Before turning to science fiction, he
worked as a software engineer for a number of multinational organisations.
He lives with his partner on the south coast of England.

Tionsphere and The Uprisers are the first novels in the Tion series,
and will be followed by Demiurge in 2022. His series is accompanied by
The Visionary, which is available free at online stores.

Visit J.C. online at www.jcgemmell.com 

Booktasters

A big thank you for Booktasters and the author as well for providing me a free
copy, in return for my honest review. Thank you very much for this amazing
reading chance! 

Bookreview: The Death of Me

"While reading, I sat on the edge of my chair."

 Legacy Series Book 1: The Death of Me

Summary

He’d rather save the Earth than exploit it. But buried bloodline secrets could
force this man of peace into a life he dreads…

David Jones moved to Tuscany to claim some much-needed headspace.
Hoping to focus on his philanthropic efforts and find love, he vows to steer
clear of his family’s underworld business. But he’s dragged into an ugly web of
organized crime when a good friend is heartbreakingly murdered…

Thrust into a leadership role, David navigates the treacherous mob world while
becoming romantically entangled with a stunning young female intelligence agent.
But even as he faces traitorous threats from within, his new love interest’s standing
with Italian authorities might be his fatal undoing.

Will this struggling humanitarian get his happily ever after or
end up sleeping with the fishes?

My Review

I always enjoy the crime thrillers of Carolyn M Bowen. This story is as all
her books really tensive. While reading, I sat on the edge of my chair.

The cover, the short chapters, the clear writing and lots of twists made the book 
very good. I hope the sequels will follow soon.

I will recommend this book to all who want to read  thrillers and especially
crime thrillers.

Of course I give a five star rating for this tensive, good written book.    

The author

Of course Carolyn M. Bowen isn't unknown for me, and for the readers of this
blog. She already was a guest in the author in the picture blog posts. Check this
link. 

I also reviewed former books of her:

"One" on this link. 

"Primed for Revenge" on this link. 

Publication date "The Death of Me" : 4 January 22

Crucible of Fear

 What a fantastic thriller!

Summary

A man's life in chaos. His young daughter at risk. What is a pound of a flesh worth?

Dante Ellis is a successful advertising executive on the rise. His world is plunged
into a huge nightmare after he's targeted by ruthless hackers known only as
dark Messiah.

Dante soon discovered no part of his life too scared to be used against him, no 
secret buried too deep. What began as a veiled threat soon descends into a
desperate conflict against the will of an unseen enemy.

My Review

Nothing scares more than a hacker who wants to take over your computer systems.
It brought the suspense in this fantastic thriller.

I really was keen to know what would happen next and I read the story to the end.
The characters were well developed and the story kept me busy.

So I want to recommend this book to lovers of suspense and thrillers. I give this
splendid fantastic thriller a 5 star rating on 5.

The Author

D.W. Withlock, author of Crucible of Fear, has been a storyteller for most of his
life. Starting with short stories scribbled in crayon, animation flip-books, stop-

motion and later CG animation for television and video games. While pursuing
a career in animation, writing has always been the first step, from short descriptions 
to detailed backstories. as a life-long reader and book lover, crafting thriller novels
felt like the natural evolution of those first forays into writing.

When not writing D.W. enjoys gaming, spending time with his family and
Triumph Motorcycles.

D.W. lives in California with his wife, son and French bulldog Nikki. 

Booktasters

I received a free copy of the author and Booktasters in return of my honest review.

Bookreview: Unparalleled

 

"What an exciting science fiction story!"

Summary

Waking up in a strange house, with no memory of how or why he is there,

Stuart Milton finds his life has changed beyond recognition. His pregnant 
wife is missing, but his only living relative, his brother, is incapable of 
substantiating his claim.

Lost in a world of confusing that is spiralling out of his control, Stuart finds
temporary salvation in a psychiatrist assigned to his case.

This enthralling journey takes Stuart to the edge of sanity, culminating in
an unparalleled climax of kidnapping, betrayal and murder. 

My Review

When I started reading Unparalleled I was immediately into the story and I really
wanted to know what would come next.

The characters are all deepened out very well, the science fiction story is written
with lots of twist and mystery. I absolutely enjoyed reading.

Unparalleled makes the impossible possible and it takes the reader on a journey
during the existential crisis of the main character. 

I certainly will recommend Unparalleled to everybody who loves science fiction

stories. I give with lots of pleasure a five star rating to this excellent book!

I hope there will be a sequel soon!

The Author

D.S. Smith was born in Bolton, England. At the age of 20 he joined the RAF
embarking on a career that spanned nine years. Following this he took a
degree in Biological Sciences and spent 7 years at the Natural History Museum
in London where he worked as Scientific Officer. 

The amazing people he has met and the places he has visited throughout his life
are a major inspiration for his writing. 

About the book

Unparalleled is the first novel of D.S. Smith, it reached number 1 on Amazon's 

bestseller list for SciFi. In August 2019 it received the Discovered Novel Award. 

Thank you!

I received a free copy of Unparalleled via BookTasters and the author! Thank you
very much!!! 

Bookreview: The Dream Factory

Written by John Simes 

"What a page turner"

Summary

After the violent abduction of his parents by the criminal 'Golden Hand', the
16 year-old Peter Young and his brilliant friend, Navinda Eman, flee to the 
Dream Factory - a stone hunt on a deserted beach. Peter has a precious secret
that he must protect, but someone in the village is determined to find them 
and destroy the Dream Factory.

My Review

While reading, I always make some short notes, but this time I absolutely

wanted to know the end. So, be aware, this is a real page turner! I even 
couldn't stop reading. 

I liked the lay-out, the clear chapters and the fantastic characters of the
story. It was a mix of adventure, fantasy and humour.

Later I learned that this is the author's first book. This is very hard to
believe!

My conclusion: don't hesitate to read this book, if you like adventure
and fantasy. I give with lots of pleasure a 5* rating. 

The Author

John Simes was born in Lambeth, London. He is an experienced teacher
of English Literature in state secondary schools and has served as a
Principal and Head Teacher in two of the UK's largest comprehensive 
schools. John founded 'Collingwood Learning' in 2004 to advise on
school improvement and he is assisting government programmes in the UK
and Africa to set up new schools. 

In 2013, John set up Collingwood Publishing and Media Ltd. He now writes
fiction and supports programmes in the UK and Africa to set up new schools. 

He lives with his family in south Devon where he grapples with his addictions
to cricket, poetry and the stunning local landscape. 

 

Booktasters

I received a free copy via Booktasters and the author. Thank you very much for this 
fantastic reading chance!

Bookreview: Salford World War

Could World War 3 start in Salford?  

What a page turner

Summary

1914 was the year that the First World War started. It was simple: a very
important person from a big country went to visit a small country and
got himself killed. Threats were issued. Tensions rose.

Now, one hundred years later, could the same thing happen again? Could
history repeat? What if the small place was Salford, not Serbia? What if 
the dignitary was from China, not the kingdom of Austria-Hungary? Other
things are similar - the international tensions, the treaties, the posturing. 

Luckily, this time we've got Melia. She's been asked by Captain Gibson to 
organise security for the visit. She has only one task - keep the visitor alive.
That can't be so difficult, cant it?

Then there's Micky. For Melia he's always a problem, but this time he seems
even more problematical than usual. He's talking about retiring. Surely he
can stick around, for a while?

 

My review

What a page turner! I'm sorry I started reading this book so late, because it's
a fantastic one. 

I really like the heroine, and the way the author has worked out its plot and
its story. It was told very well. 

The book is written in clear chapters and read very easily. I  also want to 
mention the good history knowledge of the author! 

I would recommend this book to all who want to like to read crime thrillers. 

And of course, I want to give a 5 * rating for this book. 

The author

Mike Scantlebury is a writer of crime thriller romances (Scanti-Noir), science
fiction and songs. He lives in Salford, England, and you can usually find him 
on Twitter @MikeScantlebury. 

I received a free copy via the author and his agent. I would like to thank them
for this splendid reading chance! 

Source picture: Book Cover 

Bookreview: Primed for Revenge

 

"What a fantastic thriller!"

Summary

Practicing law in a large parnership, Sydney Jones was primed for making

partner. Then her life turned upside down after a disagreement with her boss
at Birdman and Birdman. Leaving the office, she was swiftly kidnapped and
taken to her assailants' hideaway, beaten and raped.

With no memory of whom she was put at her disadvantage with her captors.

She was delivered to her home. Not recognizing her former living quarters.

Piecing together the reasons for her kidnapping brought her into contact with
people, some she could trust and others risky. 

Tapped from crime once nudged her toward caution for something afoul was
going on at Birdman and Birdman. She prepared for a fight. With a vision of
fury she made a chilling decision - never to be a victim again.

My Review

From time to time, I enjoy reading a thriller and the author again didn't let

me down.

Primed for Revenge is the first book in these wonderful psychological thriller
series of Sydney Jones.

It is a fantastic mix between storytelling and dialogues, which I really like!

It is written very clear, easy reading and with great characters. I absolutely
wanted to know the end of the story so I read it twice :-)

I would recommend "Primed for Revenge" to all people who enjoy reading
(psychological) thrillers. 

To conclude: I want to give "Primed for Revenge" with lots of pleasure a
5* rating! 

The author 

Carolyn M. Bowen is a wonderful author who wrote her books with lots
of suspense. More about her in the author in the picture post of
10 February 2021 on this link. 

Source picture: Book cover

Author in the picture: Carolyn M. Bowen

Twitter is a fantastic place to meet and chat to fantastic authors such as 
Carolyn M.Bowen. After reviewing her thriller: One (see on this link), I
absolutely wanted to read more books from her. I also already knew 
from the beginning that I would write an Author in the picture blogpost
about her. 

So, enjoy the author in the picture blogpost of the briliant author:
Carolyn M. Bowen. 

Author in the picture: Meet Carolyn M. Bowen

How did you start writing? Did you always want to become an author?

Thanks for asking. I knew I was a writer from an early age. My first short story
was published when I was fourteen. I've continued writing and studying the
craft over the years to become skilled doing something I love. It's a never-ending
process of reflection and discipline to produce new novels.

Do you have other work besides writing? Or did you do other work before
you started writing?

 I am a full-time writer and life-long learner about the art and craft of producing
quality books.

 

Which is your favorite type of weather for writing and why?

I love all the seasons in the year. The burst of creative energy
I experience fits the mood for the settings I create.

 

Which is your favorite place on earth and why?

My favorite place is the beach, specifically the beaches of NW Florida.
The crystal white sand and the pale turquoise gulf is a great place to relax
and recharge mentally and physically. The soothing movement of the waves
tapping the shoreline in mesmerizing harmony is therapeutic.

I've found that whether people live there full time or are just visiting, they
seem to have a different way of going about their day when proximity to
the ocean is a variable. For me, I like my toes in the water.

 

I've read some wonderful thrillers of yours. Do you like/write other
genres too?

I mostly write mystery-thrillers. However, I've written a historical romance novel,
Cross-Ties, and a personal development book, Cross-stepping Your Way to Success.

 

Do you prefer to write alone or in company?

 I prefer to write alone in a quiet preferably scenic location.

 

Do you have a fixed daily writing schedule?

 Yes, I write daily. I get up when my tuxedo cat [Tooker] feels the need to eat,
which ranges from 4 to 5 A.M. He sits on my arms as I go through my morning
ritual of checking social media, then he sulks when I have to shoo him away as
I work on my novels.

 

Where do you get your inspiration from besides traveling?

Travel is my muse but with the pandemic I've been sidelined.
I'm interested in world affairs particularly those with the potential
to destroy mankind like climate change.

 

Do you like to listen to music or watch television while working?

 You could hear the crickets chirping with the silence I find works best
for me. I enjoy being alone with my thoughts during the writing process.

 

What are your plans and wishes for 2021 and the nearby future?

 I'd love to complete a new mystery-thriller series in the near future.
I'm excited about what comes next!

Thank you!

Thank you very much for particpating in these questions and answers,

Carolyn. It is so nice to meet you and your books!

To know more about Carolyn M. Bowen:

 check her site on this link.

The  author page of Amazon on this link.

On Facebook on this link: 

On Twitter on this link: 

On Instagram on this link:

On Youtube on this link:

On Books on this link:

On Goodreads on this link:

On Pinterest on this link: 

Bookreview: The Bliss of Ignorance

Part 1 of A New Haven Trilogy

written by Ray Filasky 

"A very fascinating read"

Summary

Aspirations choose our path, however our response to life's obstacles is mostly
forged from the slag of desperation. We see their specters building on the 
horizon, all too often, choosing to believe they don't exist. Tee and Emma Haskings
now know those obstacles are there, the question is, can they live with them.

The Bliss of Ignorance leaves the reader with the unsettled feeling one gets when
fiction skirts too close to reality and keeps them engaged as the characters struggle
through this improbable turn of events. Racial tensions, political intrigue, passion
loss, and the strength of personal character are all uniquely blended to connect
us to the story and its participants as Tee and Emma model the kind of love and
commitment many of us wish for. 

My Review

The Bliss of Ignorance is the first part of A New Haven Trilogy and I was

keen to read this thriller. I didn't let me down. 

It was fluently written and a very interesting read. I really enjoyed the
storyline with flashbacks and scenes from present day. 

The characters were well developed and I do love the story twists.
Although not everything was clear.

So, I want to give this book a 4 star rating on 5, but I hope to read the
other stories as well. Perhaps that will make things more clear. 

The Author

Sometimes an idea grabs hold of you and takes you on an unexpected journey
(in this instance it went frome one book to three). Such was the case with the
story of Tee and Emma Haskins. Through their struggles, we are given a 
glimpse at the implications of rash populist decisions. The impetuts for that
journey, however, was the deep sadness I felt as we witnessed the events in 
Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland. Coming of age in the sixties, I
had been naïve enough to think we had put the worst of racial tensions behind
us. 

Booktasters

I recieved a copy of The Bliss of Ignorance by Booktasters and Ray Filansky.
Thank you very much! 

Bookreview: One

 written by Carolyn M. Bowen

"I couldn't stop reading until I knew the end"

Summary

Expect to be blown away by Carolyn Bowen's newest thriller in the
Sydney Jones Series One.

Sydney returns in this gripping thriller that sends her into a chilling 
tailspin when enemies attack with  vengeance. Will her desire for
answers about her ex-military former love be her undoing or will the
hand of fate set her free to live and love again?

Sydney needed time to reflect on her lover and son's father's death.
She'd never learned the reason he disappeared years earlier when she
wanted him to fight for justice when charged with the Rockstar
Roxanne's murder. 

She and David, her son, returned to Barbados for their summer vacation.
What she didn't know was the island would become the melting pot for 
unsavory characters out for blood and the unraveling of dark secrets from
her past. 

My Review

One is a thriller and that's what I felt from page one. I was keen to know
the end of the story. So, it's a page turner.

 

You won't stop until you know the end. 😊

Although this book is a part of a series it easily can be read as a stand alone,
just as I did. It was written very well and very fluently.

I also like the characters, they were certainly deepened out! The setting 

was amazing too. 

To conclude: I recommend this book to people who like thrillers.

I  want to give the book a five star rating! 

The Author

Carolyn Bowen is a mystery author who calls on her life escapades and
an adventurous imaginative spirit to inspire and entertain. Bowen uses
travel as a muse to explore cultures and dialogue to bring her stories to
life. 

To read more about her, check her website on this link. 

I received a free copy from the author to read and review this wonderful
book. The author was very correct and I hope to read more books from
her. 

Source picture: Book Cover 

Recensie: Het complot van Laken

Het complot van Laken

geschreven door Johan Op De Beeck

"Een bloedstollende, nazinderende historische thriller"

Samenvatting

Hitler heeft België bezet. Koning Leopold III wil in het land blijven. De 
koning flirt met het nazisme. Dat zint de Belgische regering die in 
ballingschap in Londen zit niet. Zij wil de vorst naar Londen doen over-
lopen. De Belgische geheim agent Jef Van Hooff moet Leopold III in 
Laken een geheime boodschap bezorgen, hij is in het gezelschap van een
vrouwelijke spion. Tijdens zijn levensgevaarlijke missie zitten de
nazi's hem op de hielen ....

Mijn recensie

Zoals steeds met historische fictie wou ik eerst alles opzoeken nadat
ik het gelezen had. 

Toen ik dat losliet, zat ik steevast op het puntje van m'n stoel, zo spannend was het
boek. Het stond vol met onverwachte plotwendingen en ik wou absoluut het
einde weten. Dat einde was een beetje té abrupt. 

Daarom moet ik met spijt in het hart het boek een vier op 

vijf geven want het was absoluut een bloedstollende en nazinderende thriller.

Auteur

Johan Op De Beeck is een bekende journalist en schrijver over geschiedenis.

Hij kende een lange loopbaan in de media, hij was onder meer journalist en

hoofdredacteur van diverse media. 

Hij schreef ook andere boeiende boeken onder andere over Napoleon, Het
Verlies van België (over het ontstaan in 1830) en  over de Zonnekoning. 

Ik hoop nog veel boeken van hem te kunnen lezen!

Kobo

Het complot van Laken is verschenen op 10 september 2019 bij uitgeverij
Horizon. Het boek telt maar liefst 525 bladzijden. Ik kon het boek lezen via
mijn Kobo plus abonnement via bol.com. 

Bron foto: Titelpagina

Bookreview: The Wolf & The Bee

Animals We Are: Book Two:

The Wolf & The Bee

written by Valerie Brandy

Summary

A tropical paradise. A wedding party. One of them is a killer.

Zoe is on the perfect tropical honeymoon with her husband, Mike, until itthe trip is interrupted by two dangerous "animals" they've met once before.Trapped on an island with their wedding party by a madman and his co-conspirator, Zoe has to solve a mystery in order to escape to the mainland. Someone in their wedding party betrayed them. Someone is working with their adversary. As the clock ticks, they'll need to sort through clues to decide who they can trust, before time runs out and their only means of escape is destroyed.

Action/Adventure, Thriller, and Travel Fiction fans will love this dangerous game, played out an island where treasure is buried not just under the sand, but in the heart of the person next to you. This book is the second installment in the "Animals We Are" series, but can be read as a standalone.

Review

First of all: the black and white book cover already looks frightening and gives an excellent idea of the story. Anyway i liked the cover very much. 

The story itself also really is fantastic with unexpected twist and turns. I read it on a rainy lazy afternoon and it was certainly no disappointment. 

All the created characters are very great and well developed. The author must have done huge research work to create them. 

So, if you are a fan of mystery and exiting books, don't hesitate to read: "Animals We Are: Book Two: The Wolf & The Bee". I give it 4 stars on 5. 

Author

Valery Brandy also has written other books from these series: the first part, the second and the third part. 

BookSirens

I received an advanced copy for free by BookSirens, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily. 

Thank you for giving me this fantastic reading chance. 

Source picture: Book cover