The Carpenter by Max Myllan

Review
Max Myllan's "The Carpenter" is a fresh take on the thriller/crime genre that will take you on a ride you won't want to get off.

The main character is Eric James Donovan. A former black ops leader, he is now a carpenter suffering under the recession. When he is made an offer by a mysterious person known as the mediator, Donovan accepts eagerly. Using a neurotoxin from a puffer fish, Donovan begins his career as an assassin that brings him face-to-face with personal struggles, moral dilemmas, and death itself.

One thing you should note about this book is the writing is top-notch, reminiscent of Ian Fleming's voice, with descriptive yet curt narration. Myllan is an author who does his research and everything from fishing scenes to neurotoxin chemistry is described with details that you'd expect from someone in the respective fields.

The plot is well-paced, and I really enjoyed the main character's cynical, calculated, witty voice. The author injects a bit of real-world feel to the novel with the addition of elements of the recession.

Overall, if you want to read a fresh take on crime/thriller novels, you will enjoy this book.

More Information
Buy the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Carpenter-Max-Myllan/dp/193898546X
Author website: www.maxmyllan.com

The Outmate by Victoria L. Trenton

Review
"The Outmate," by Victoria L. Trenton, is an erotic crime thriller about a charged relationship between two unlikely people.

Promoter Chrissie Laursen, recently divorced and recovering from alcoholism, reluctantly agrees to a date, set up by her flamboyant best friend, Roland, thinking it will be a good stress release.

She does not realize that her date, Nick Jessup, is a bad boy (with a dark past), who will soon have her hungering for his love.

Chrissie's feelings for Nick develop at an alarming rate, all the while, she's discovering he is much, much more than a pretty face.

The plot is incredibly gripping, with the reader wanting to know about Nick's past and the future of Nick and Chrissie's relationship.

The book's writing perfectly captures the tragic-yet-beautiful feeling of the story.

The book is written in first-person, with the narrator occasionally injecting hindsight thoughts into the story, which allows the reader to empathize with Chrissie and her decisions.

The highlight of "The Outmate" is the attraction between Chrissie and Nick, which, although it is strained and unusual at moments, develops into an incredibly deep, soulful, physical relationship.

If you are looking for a character-driven novel (with explicit scenes) that explores a dark yet beautiful relationship, then "The Outmate" is the perfect book for you.

More Information
Buy the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Outmate-Victoria-L-Trenton-ebook/dp/B00F8KLT2U
Book website: http://www.theoutmate.com/