WHEN THE WORDS ARE SPOKEN by Simone Beaudelaire

WHEN THE WORDS ARE SPOKEN by Simone Beaudelaire 

This is another masterfully written story by Simone Beaudelaire.  Sheridan and Michael were introduced in the first of this series When the Music Ends, and it’s not necessary to read the first book as this story will stand on its own.  But to get the full impact of what happened to Sheridan and understand why she Michael hasn’t hooked up yet, you need to read the first one. 

This story is more than just two people getting over an abusive past and learning to trust and love again, it’s also about the fear of marriage and the uncertainty of being a parent.  Especially in Michael’s case as he grew up in several dysfunctional settings.  He lacked faith in himself. 

I also enjoyed the way Sheridan was the only person who could see past the façade Michael erected to keep people away from him, though he never understood that’s what he was doing. 

If you enjoy a strong romance plot and innocent sex, you’ll want to read this book.  This is a Make-you-feel-good-inside story.  I give it my 5 feathers.  

Cover Reveal of THE SECRET OF EXCALIBUR

This was supposed to be a cover reveal of my latest release, but my publisher released my book sooner that I anticipated.  So, here is my new book.  

Also, Creativia Publishing has some very talented authors.  I just hope I live up to their caliber.  Please see some of my prior posts on the book reviews I have done.  

THE SECRET OF EXCALIBUR

Hi, I’m Arthur Merlin. I used to be an ordinary guy, until a freak accident changed my life. Now my friends are afraid of me, and so am I. See, I developed superpowers: telepathy, pyrokinesis and telekinesis, to name a few. 

The US government wanted to control me. But how do you control someone who can teleport anywhere he wants to in a blink of an eye? Fed up with their shenanigans, I headed for the Institute of Psychic Research in London. 

But something is pulling me; calling me, and I don’t know what. I ended up at Lake George, where sightings of The Lady of the Lake and Excalibur have been reported. With the help of Dr. Burns and Commander Dobie, we uncovered the secrets of the lake, but they’re more than anyone imagined. 

What would I sacrifice to save the world from Excalibur?

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WHEN THE MUSIC ENDS by Simone Beaudelaire

WHEN THE MUSIC ENDS by Simone Beaudelaire 

The story revolves around two best friends, Sheridan and Erin, who are almost like sisters.  During the homecoming dance, events happen that change both of their lives.  Danny’s for the worst.  As the story progresses, Erin becomes the primary POV.  This is a wonderful tale of young love and also the tragedies in life that either make you stronger or tear you down. 

I thought the plot and the pace of the story was well done.  The characters are so alive and rich; they practically walk off the pages.  I really identified with Erin, being the unwanted and unworthy child.  And the demons that haunt you do bring around your worst self-fulfilled prophecies. 

This is a beautiful coming-of-age tale, and I look forward to seeing what happens for Sheridan in the following book.  I give it my 5 feathers.

AFTER ARMAGEDDON by Brian L Porter

AFTER ARMAGEDDON by Brian L Porter

Here’s another well-written collection of works by Brian L Porter.  There were several short stories in this collection that I really enjoyed.  The Significance of Cherries, Breathing to Death, Bodies in the Cellar and Megalith, to name a few.  My favorite, though, was Red Sky in the Morning.  I can just see the poor Captain and his crew as they endlessly wander the oceans, searching for any signs of survivors. 

At the back of the book is a preview of Under Mexican Skies.  Now I’ll have to add this one to my TBR list.  Just enough of a teaser to get me interested. 

There’s also a story by guest author Carole Gill, entitled Raised.  If you’ve yet to read her stories, you must give them a try, as she’s another gifted writer.

If you like odd and unusual, plus short stories, this book is for you.  I give it 4 feathers.

SHADOW OVER AVALON by C.N. Lesley

SHADOW OVER AVALON by C.N. Lesley 

First off, I love the book cover and it’s what made me want to read this story to begin with.  Not enough mention is given to the covers, and I know how hard it is to get one that really Pops and fits your story.

Arthur lives in the underwater city of Avalon.  As an orphan with immense PSI power, he grew up in Sanctuary under the control of the Seers.  Unhappy with his life and future, searching for his parentage, he uses the Archive to access its database.  He becomes obsessed with a Brethren named Shadow and discovers secrets that could destroy him and his world. 

 When I first started reading this story, I felt like I’d been catapulted into the middle of a large lake, lost, floundering around trying to find the nearest shoreline.  I had no idea what or who Shadow was until the fourth chapter.  I’m not an obtuse person, but there is so much vagueness in this story, especially at the beginning.  I had a hard time understanding when PSI powers were being used and why or how.  A little more clarification would help, a lot.  Even when Arthur was in danger from the Archive, I didn’t get that until several chapters later when the characters were actually talking about it. 

I think some the vagueness is due to the lack of Cause & Effect in the writing style, making the reading of the story out of synch.  One of the principles of writing is Cause & Effect.  When you put effect before cause, it leads to long meandering sentences.  Sometimes I had to read a sentence twice to figure out what the author meant. 

Even with the problems, I found the characters solid as well as the underwater world of Avalon and the aboveground world of the Terrans.  This is a nice spin off the legend of Arthur and Avalon, with a mixture of fantasy and sci-fi.  There are the Submariners, Arthur and Ector and the Outcast Brethren, Shadow and Copper.   I really got involved with Shadow and Copper’s relationship and was sorry to see him leave the story.  And through the whole story, who or what are the Nestines / Harvesters?  That question is answered, somewhat, at the end which is a perfect drop off point for the sequel.  Now I’m invested, I’ll have to read the next book.

As much as I want to give 4 feathers, I can’t, because of the above issues.  If you love epic fantasy worlds and people, I recommend this book.  I give it 3 feathers. 

ORIGINS OF THE NEVER by CJ Rutherford

ORIGINS OF THE NEVER by CJ Rutherford 

This novella is the prequel to the SOULS OF THE NEVER.  Olume and Tenybris were 2 strong magical beings growing up together on the planet Teralia.  Their bond was as strong as brothers, until Lynmaria came along.  She only had eyes for Olume, but Terybris was in love with her too.  In the land of Terelia, there’s only Lightness.  Darkness doesn’t tempt The People of the land, but Darkness finally found its way through the jealously of Treybris. 

This is a very well-told story and the prequel sets the stage for the novel.  The characters are solid as well as the surroundings.  And there are dragons.  Who doesn't love dragons?  More time should’ve been spent on proofreading, as I found several instances where the word thought was spelled as though and one sentence was repeated twice.  I reread it again, just to make sure I wasn't seeing double.  

All in all, this is a good start to a series and I give it 4 feathers.  

THE FOURTH BRIDE by Carole Gill

THE FOURTH BRIDE by Carole Gill 

Another well-written, exposition style of writing by Carole Gill.  Each book in the Blackstone Vampire Series is from a different character’s point of view.  Not any easy task as each voice has to be unique for that specific character, but Gill is able to accomplish just that.  Dia’s journey to the undead is quite different than what happened to Rose, Eve or Justine.  Though Justine, Into the Blood is not a part of the Blackstone Vampire Series, the story goes into more detail about the horrible nature of Ned and Anton and the terrible ordeal Dia suffered at their hands.  I do recommend reading that book to help flesh out the last of this series.

 

As a baby, Dia was cursed by Dracula to become his fourth bride.  Rose and Louis Darden tried to protect her from the curse, but once Dia turned of age and set to marry to a mere mortal, Dracula claimed her as his and changed her life forever.  After the destruction of Dracula, Dia finds herself betrayed and turned over to the sadistic Ned and his freak sideshow.  One element I like about Gill’s stories, they really show the dark nature of the human soul.  Society condemns vampires and werewolves as monsters and demons, but that same darkness dwells in the souls of man.

Because of proofreading errors, I have to take away one feather and give a 4 feather recommendation instead.  If you love dark, vampire stories, this one is for you